Chapter 389
Ivan's gaze initially landed on Todd's face before shifting to Angela.
Throughout this time, he had often contemplated how delightful it would be if Angela were his own daughter.
As fate would have, it turned out she truly was his daughter.
No wonder he felt no resistance toward Angela. No wonder she would call him Daddy.
"Angela, come here." He beckoned with a wave of his hand.
Angela let go of Haley's hand and cautiously approached the bedside.
Her eyes, the size of grapes, fixated on Ivan's arm, wrapped in gauze with blood seeping through, appearing somewhat alarming.
Angela extended her soft fingers, gently touched the wound, then blew on it and asked in a tender voice, "Daddy, does it hurt?"
Ivan's heart melted into a puddle. "It doesn't hurt, not at all anymore."
Ivan pulled Angela into his embrace, shifting his gaze toward Todd who stood at the door.
In the past, he had noticed the resemblance between the boy and Keith, attributing it to their cousin relationship. However, it was now clear to him that they were not just cousins but quadruplet brothers.
He raised his hand and called out gently, "Todd, come over here."
Todd pursed his lips and walked over slowly, looking down and saying, "Mr. Winston."
Ivan's eyebrows rose. "Mr. Winston? Didn't Haley teach you what you should call me?"
Todd's lips pressed together tightly, and his hands clenched into fists.
He remained silent, no words escaping his lips.
"My father praised you for being smart, but you're not that smart!" Owen huffed. "You should call him Father; my father is your father, too. How can you be less clever than me?"
Todd silently rolled his eyes at Owen.
While he had been aware of this situation for quite some time, acknowledging it internally was one matter, but mustering the willingness to confront Ivan about it was another challenge altogether.
"Todd," Ivan chimed in, "Owen is right. You should call me Daddy." He lifted his hand to ruffle Todd's hair and pulled him closer, "I was negligent these past four years, letting you and Angela grow up without a father's protection and love, but that won't happen again. From now on, I will protect you. Whatever Keith and Owen have, you and Angela will have, too."
Owen blinked his large eyes. "Father, how about this? Let Todd be your son, and I'll be Haley's son. Then, I can live with Haley, okay?"
"Not okay!" Todd frowned and interrupted, "I don't want to move into the Winston residence!"
He wriggled out of Ivan's grasp and stood back next to Haley.
Ivan was left momentarily speechless.
Glancing around, he noticed Owen and Todd flanking Haley on either side, with Keith positioned a bit farther away. The arrangement spoke volumes, conveying a message that Ivan couldn't ignore.
The only one he truly had was the little one in his arms.
Just as Ivan was feeling grateful that at least one child seemed to rely on him more, Angela squirmed out of his embrace and sought refuge in Haley's arms.
In a manner that seemed as if she was afraid Haley would cast her aside and leave her fate to the Winston family, Ivan was at a loss for words.
The issue was that even their little bundle of joy had holes in her defenses now.
Haley hadn't slept well the previous night. Her emotions became incredibly complex at the sight of Ivan, but the sight of the children playing and horsing around made some of her feelings of frustration quietly dissipate.
She crouched down and gently touched Todd's hair. "Todd, he really is your father. Go ahead, call him Daddy."
As anyone can see from Angela's experience, the love of a father was an essential force in a child's development.
Todd was somewhat reserved and often carried a heavy heart. With the love of a father in his life, Todd may grow up to be a carefree, sunny boy.
Todd was strong-willed, yet he consistently heeded Haley's guidance and advice.
He pursed his lips but obediently followed her instructions, walking over to Ivan and whispering, "Daddy."
His voice was so soft that, had one not been listening carefully, it would have been missed. Ivan, however, didn't give him a hard time and smiled. "Good job, Todd. This here is a present from me, just for you."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
