Chapter 143
Ivan stood outside the villa.
From his viewpoint, he could see into the living room where the three kids sat on the play mat, busily assembling a puzzle together.
Haley sat on the couch, tapping away on her laptop, occasionally looking up at the kids with a tender, gentle smile playing on her lips.
The scene was so heartwarming that Ivan hesitated to disturb it.
But he pressed the doorbell regardless.
*Ding Dong*
Haley looked up, put down her laptop, and walked over to open the door.
She paused when she saw the somber man in front of her and said, "Mr. Winston, this is the second time your son has come looking for me."
Ivan remained silent.
By his count, this was actually the seventh or eighth attempt.
A few times Alfred had intercepted him, a few times the boy had shown up when no one was home...
But Ivan wasn't about to share that with her.
He stood at the door and simply said, "Owen, come here."
The second the doorbell had chimed, Owen had already ducked under the table.
Hugging the leg of the table, he stubbornly yet plaintively said, "I'm not going!"
He had finally managed to sneak out, finally found Haley; he couldn't bear the thought of being separated from her again!
Even if his dad got angry and punished him, he wouldn't give in!
Owen had even braced himself for a serious scolding, but Ivan, far from being angry or upset, merely stated calmly, "You have twenty more minutes, then it's time to come home."
Twenty minutes was brief, but better than leaving without a single extra minute.
The little guy's round, cherubic face finally lit up with a faint joy as he crawled out from under the table, eyes warily fixed on Ivan as he walked in.
Haley said somewhat helplessly, "Owen, why don't you play with Angela and Todd for a bit?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she couldn't help but chuckle to herself.
Todd was only a few minutes older than Angela, which technically meant Angela was older than Owen, too. But since Angela was born premature and was a girl, she looked no older than three and a half, so it didn't feel odd at all to think of her as the younger one.
With a smile, Haley went to the kitchen, ground some coffee beans, and brought a freshly brewed cup to Ivan. "Mrs. Winston, have a coffee before you go."
Ivan took a sip of the coffee and commented, "It tastes better than the last one I had in your studio."
"I'll bring this coffee maker to my studio next time."
Haley sat down across from him, her brows knitted and eyes downcast as she suddenly found herself at a loss for words with this man.
Her gaze drifted to the three children playing together, about to inquire about Owen's birth month, when Ivan abruptly spoke up, "Since I'm here today, let's give it a try."
Haley blinked, "Try what?"
"Let's try to get Angela to speak."
Ivan set down his cup, his hawk-like eyes glancing to the side, his voice cool yet laced with a softness, "Angela, come here."
He beckoned with his hand.
Angela, who was engrossed in a puzzle, looked up. Her usually dull eyes suddenly ignited with fire, shining brilliantly under the warm, dim light.
She rarely responded to strangers, but now, Angela not only heard him but also showed a visible emotional response.
Haley remained composed on the outside, yet inside, a storm raged.
She gripped her cup firmly, watching the little girl's reaction without moving a muscle.
"Angela, don't you remember uncle? Come here, let uncle give you a hug."
Ivan's voice softened further, echoing the thaw of an early snowmelt—chilly, but with a hint of warmth.
Standing to the side, Owen felt an inexplicable twinge of jealousy.
In all his years, Dad had never spoken to him with such tenderness...
If Dad had shown him such gentleness and patience, maybe he wouldn't always dream of running away from home.
But then—
Owen glanced at the pretty little girl and his heart sank a bit.
If he was even a tenth as good-looking as Angela, Dad would surely adore him, too.
Who could blame him for being so homely!
Angela dropped the puzzle piece she held and stood up, eyes locked on Ivan as she took a hesitant first step forward before retreating.
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