Chapter 413 A Small Warmth
Skylar looked at the agitated Fiona with fear in her eyes. She tugged at my sleeve and whispered, "Mom, why is Ms. Griffin so mad? She's really scary."
I gently patted Skylar's head, feeling a pang of sorrow. I had no idea how to explain this complicated situation to her.
By now, curious onlookers had started to gather, making me feel even more embarrassed.
"Fiona, calm down. Don't make a scene here," Edward said in a low voice, his tone a mix of helplessness and urgency.
Edward took a step forward, trying to soothe the out-of-control Fiona, but she shoved him away.
"Calm down? How can I calm down? I gave you a chance. If you had stayed with me, I would have invested endlessly in you. But now, what do you take me for?"
Fiona cried, her makeup smudged by tears, making her look particularly disheveled.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and said to Fiona, "Fiona, whatever misunderstandings you have about me, or whatever happened between you and Edward, please don't take it out on the child. Skylar doesn't understand any of this."
"Don't pretend to be innocent. If it weren't for you, Edward wouldn't be like this!" Fiona glared at me, her eyes blazing with anger.
Just as the situation was becoming more tense, Edward's phone rang abruptly.
He instinctively reached for his pocket, and as he pulled out his phone, his eyes flicked to the caller ID, and he froze.
His gaze quickly shifted from me to Fiona, filled with a complex emotion.
Edward's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, remaining silent for a couple of seconds before finally answering the call.
His voice was low and slightly hoarse, "Hello."
A male voice, possibly David's, came through the phone, but I couldn't make out what was being said. Edward's already furrowed brow tightened further, and he responded briefly, "Okay, I understand."
I couldn't help but glance at Fiona. A barely noticeable smirk appeared on her lips, and a fleeting look of satisfaction crossed her face.
If I hadn't been so worried and observant, I might have missed it.
Edward's eyes darted between me and Skylar, filled with a mix of affection and gravity, as if he wanted to etch our images into his memory.
He pressed his lips together, his jaw slightly tense, clearly struggling internally. He rubbed his temples, as if trying to alleviate his fatigue and inner turmoil, then spoke into the phone, "Alright, I'll handle it right away."
After hanging up, he looked at me and Skylar with deep regret in his eyes. "Diana, there's an emergency at the company. I have to go back immediately."
Fiona scoffed, "Now you realize the company's important? When it matters, you still need me."
Edward ignored her and knelt down to speak gently to Skylar, "Skylar, I have something urgent to take care of. Can you and your mom go home first?"
Skylar nodded understandingly, though a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes. "Okay, Mr. Howard. Take care of yourself."
Edward patted Skylar's hair, stood up, and gave me one last, lingering look before hurrying away. His silhouette stretched long in the evening light.
I watched him leave, lost in thought.
Skylar's concern for Edward brought back memories of countless days and nights when it was just the two of us. She always used her small gestures to warm my weary heart.
After a long day at work, she would run to the door barefoot to hand me a pair of slippers, saying earnestly, "Mom, you worked hard today."
These memories were many, each one carefully cherished in my heart, giving me the strength to keep going through tough times.
At this moment, Skylar's genuine concern for Edward made me realize how important he had become to her.
Skylar's small frame held an endless capacity for love and kindness, and she had wholeheartedly accepted Edward. Her pure emotions were far deeper and more intense than I had imagined.
I began to reflect on whether I had been too cautious, afraid of getting hurt again, and in doing so, overlooked Skylar's longing for a father's love.
In a child's world, love is simple and direct. As long as someone offers warmth and companionship, they will give their heart without hesitation.
I was lost in thought, watching Edward's retreating figure, when Fiona's cold voice interrupted, "Let's see how long you can stay smug."
Her hostile words no longer had the power to disturb me as they once did.
I gently held Skylar's hand, feeling the warmth of her palm, and a newfound determination surged within me.
For Skylar's sake, I couldn't afford to be indecisive or fearful any longer.
"Sweetie, let's go home," I said softly, leading Skylar away.
Fiona stepped forward, blocking our path. Her face, once filled with anger, now wore an eerie calm.
She turned to us, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Do you think this is over? If Edward chooses you, there will be consequences."
I ignored Fiona and walked past her, holding Skylar's hand.
On the way home, Skylar kept glancing up at me, her eyes filled with concern, sensing my emotional turmoil.
"Mom, are you okay? Are you upset?" Skylar asked, her little face full of worry.
I knelt down and hugged Skylar tightly, trying to keep my voice light. "No, sweetie. I was just thinking about how you've grown up so much. You're so thoughtful, caring about both me and Mr. Howard."
Skylar giggled in my arms. "Mr. Howard is really nice to me, like a dad. Mom, will Mr. Howard spend more time with Skylar?"
Her question hit me hard. It was something I had been avoiding.
I gently stroked Skylar's hair, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Sweetie, Mr. Howard likes you a lot. I don't know what the future holds, but no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you, okay?"
Skylar nodded obediently, her face lighting up with a bright smile.
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