Chapter 259 Edmund Meets Magnus and Soren
Nora walked back into her store, still feeling down. Even though she knew she shouldn't trust a word Alaric said, she couldn't help but feel shaken.
Mortimer had always been so good to her. He saved her life, helped her out, and took care of her kids. If it weren't for Mortimer, Magnus and Soren might not have made it. Had she really misunderstood him?
"Nora, what did Alaric say to you? You look so troubled," Sophia asked, coming up to her with a worried look.
Nora shook her head. "Nothing." She didn't want to drag Sophia into all the drama. Even if Sophia knew, she couldn't do anything about it, and it would just give her something else to worry about.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but if you run into trouble, you must let me know. I'll help you, no matter what," Sophia said earnestly, holding Nora's hand.
Nora forced a smile, touched by her friend's concern, and squeezed her hand back. "Thanks. If I really need help, I'll definitely tell you."
Sophia finally smiled. "Go play with the kids. I'll wash some fruit for everyone."
"You're pregnant. Let me do it," Nora replied.
"It's fine, I can handle it," Sophia insisted.
After a brief back-and-forth, they decided to wash the fruit together. When they came back out, they found an unexpected guest in the store.
And that person was already playing with Magnus and Soren.
Nora's heart skipped a beat, then started pounding. Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
"Grandpa, what brings you here?" Nora hurried over, standing between Edmund and the kids.
Even though Magnus and Soren were wearing masks, she still worried he'd notice something.
Edmund looked a lot better than the last time she saw him. He had gained some weight and seemed in better spirits. While seeing him like this made Nora relieved, watching him play with two kids made her anxious.
"I've been feeling much better lately, so I thought I'd come see you," Edmund said with a laugh. "You're so busy, you don't have time to visit this old man, so I had to come find you myself."
Nora apologized, "I'm sorry, I've been so busy I forgot. I'll make sure to find time to visit you in the future."
It had been about half a month since she last visited Edmund.
Before, she was always worried about her children's safety and didn't feel like visiting him.
After finding Magnus and Soren, she had to stay with them to give them a sense of security. So, she had even less time to visit Edmund. Besides, visiting him meant going with Isaac, and she didn't really want to be alone with Isaac.
"No need to apologize. It's normal for young people to be busy. If I miss you, I'll come see you. You don't need to feel burdened!" Edmund said with a laugh.
Nora felt a wave of emotion.
Edmund's eyes landed on Magnus and Soren, who were standing behind her. He smiled and asked, "Nora, whose kids are these?" His eyes twinkled as he looked at them.
Nora's heart raced. She tried to keep her cool and said softly, "A friend's kids. She couldn't look after them, so she asked me to help."
Edmund raised an eyebrow. "A friend's kids? They told me their names are Magnus Foster and Soren Foster. Why do they have the same last name as you?"
Nora tried to stay calm. "My friend also has the last name Foster."
Edmund chuckled. "What a coincidence."
Nora smiled, but it felt a bit forced.
Edmund asked again, "How old are they?"
Nora replied, "Three years old."
Edmund sighed. "If you and Isaac hadn't had that accident, your kids would be about this age too."
Nora nodded stiffly, unable to lie about their age. She worried Magnus and Soren might have already told him, making any lie obvious.
"Why are they always wearing masks? It must be uncomfortable. Let them take off the masks," Edmund said kindly, reaching out to remove them.
Nora quickly pushed Magnus and Soren behind her and forced a smile. "I'm sorry, but they can't take off their masks. My friend insisted they keep them on."
Edmund asked curiously, "Why?"
Nora replied, " My friend got a divorce and is afraid their dad will find them and take them away."
Edmund nodded, understanding, and didn't push the issue.
After a moment, Edmund asked, "Has Isaac met them?"
Nora nodded. "Isaac lives with us."
Edmund raised an eyebrow. "How does he treat them?"
Nora hesitated, unsure how to answer.
Isaac used to be good to Magnus and Soren. But since coming back, he'd been cold towards them. Sometimes, when Magnus and Soren wanted to play with him, he'd refuse, making them cry in secret.
"Are you talking about Isaac?" Soren asked in her sweet voice, her big eyes wide open.
Edmund chuckled and patted her head affectionately. "I'm Isaac's grandfather, so I'm your great-grandfather."
Nora's heart pounded as she watched Edmund's attitude.
She thought, 'Has Edmund figured something out? It can't be! Magnus and Soren were wearing masks, and their identities were fake. How could Edmund possibly know? Even their own father, Isaac, couldn't tell! Edmund must just really like kids, which is why he's being so affectionate. That must be it!'
Nora took a deep breath, pushing down her wild thoughts.
Edmund smiled and asked Soren, "Come on, tell me, is Isaac good to you?"
Soren pouted, tears welling up instantly, and said sadly, "He used to be nice, but he's changed."
Dear Valued Readers,
I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support and the joy you've shown for my ongoing serial novel. Your engagement with the story has been nothing short of inspiring.
After much reflection, I've made the decision to transition from daily updates of three chapters to weekly updates with the same volume. Here's why:
Enhancing the Narrative: I believe that by giving myself more time between updates, I can weave a richer tapestry of events, characters, and emotions. This will not only improve the quality of each chapter but also ensure that the story develops in a way that truly captivates.
Personal Well-being: Writing is my passion, but it also requires a sustainable approach. To keep the story flowing for the long term, I need to take care of my health and maintain a balance between my creative work and personal life. This adjustment will allow me to do that.
Creative Space: The new schedule will provide me with the space to explore different angles and ideas, ensuring that each chapter adds value to the overall narrative arc.
I understand that this change might come as a surprise and might not be welcomed by all. For any inconvenience or disappointment this causes, I sincerely apologize. Please know that this decision was made with the story's best interest at heart, and I am committed to delivering content that will make each wait worthwhile.
Thank you for your understanding, patience, and for joining me on this storytelling adventure. I look forward to sharing more with you soon!
With gratitude
Doris
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