Chapter285
Haley witnessed a touching scene as soon as she returned home.
Under the soft glow of the living room lights, Angela and Todd were both asleep on the couch.
The little girl was cradled in Ivan's arms while Todd lay on a separate couch.
And there was Ivan, tucking Angela in, bending over to drape a light blanket over Todd.
It was a moment frozen in time.
If Haley hadn't known who Ivan was, she might have mistaken the trio as a family.
Hearing footsteps, Ivan turned around and sighed in relief. "You're finally back."
If she hadn't returned, he truly didn't know how he would manage with the two sleeping kids.
Although he was already a father of two, he had never been so hands-on in caring for Keith and Owen over the past four years.
"Thank you, Mr. Ivan," Haley whispered her gratitude.
She had intended to ask Alfred for help since he had experience with children.
To her surprise, it was Ivan who ended up looking after Angela and Todd.
That unapproachable man, usually so aloof, was taking care of kids. It was hard to believe.
Haley tiptoed over and bent to pick up Angela from the couch.
As she leaned over, her neckline drooped, revealing more than intended. That unexpected glimpse caught Ivan's eye.
He jerked in surprise, then awkwardly averted his gaze.
Damn it.
Just a glance from that distance stirred something inside him.
Haley was unaware of Ivan's reaction and carried Angela upstairs.
Perhaps she had moved too hastily, or maybe she had forgotten to change her shoes, but as she ascended the staircase, her high heels felt unsteady under her feet.
She had barely climbed two steps when her heel wobbled, and she tumbled backward.
Instinctively, she clutched Angela closer, squeezing her eyes shut, bracing for the tumble down the stairs.
However, the expected pain didn't come. Instead, she was met with a man's warm and broad chest, providing an immense sense of security.
Haley opened her eyes to meet Ivan's dark gaze.
Beneath the dim light, his obsidian-like eyes shone with a strange luster, reminiscent of the auroras unique to the distant polar regions.
"Thank you, Mr. Ivan." Haley quickly straightened herself, gripping the handrail, her voice slightly hoarse.
"Change your shoes. I'll take Angela upstairs."
Without awaiting a response, Ivan scooped the little girl into his arms and strode up the stairs.
Watching his figure vanish at the top of the stairs, Haley felt an unexpected stir in her heart.
She pressed her lips together, pushing down the unusual emotion.
She went to the entryway to switch into a pair of slippers, then turned back and lifted Todd from the couch.
Todd's eyes fluttered open. Once he realized it was Haley, he drifted back to sleep again, reassured.
Haley carried him upstairs and laid him in the small bed in his bedroom, her eyes catching sight of a laptop on the desk.
Three-year-old Todd himself assembled it. Haley had previously hidden it, forbidding him from using it, but she hadn't anticipated he would sneak it out to tinker with again.
She approached the desk and was about to power on the computer when she heard faint sounds of someone ascending the stairs.