Chapter 111: Guilt and Reluctance
After resolving the situation, Riley drove back home. The two children had already eaten, and Harper was watching the Science channel with them.
Upon seeing Riley enter, the three of them stood up to welcome her.
The two youngsters could sense that something was amiss with their mother and clung to her legs, appearing worried. "Mommy, did something happen? You look so tired," they asked.
Hearing their concern, Riley felt a warmth in her heart. She forced a smile and patted their heads. "Nothing, just something at work."
The kids knew their mom's job was tough, so they didn't doubt her words and comforted her, " Mommy, you're amazing. You can definitely handle this!"
Riley smiled and nodded, then checked the time and urged them to go to bed.
The two children went upstairs to rest, leaving Riley and Harper alone in the living room.
Harper could also see that something was wrong with her friend and suspiciously asked, "What's going on? Don't try to fool me. I know you were lying earlier."
Riley hesitated for a few seconds but eventually told the truth about what happened that day.
Upon learning that Donovan had gone as far as targeting the children, Harper was incensed. "Is he even a man? Who bullies innocent children? Absolutely unacceptable. If he dares to bully the kids, I will have to confront him!”
As Harper spoke, she angrily headed for the door.
Riley swiftly intervened, guiding Finley to sit on the sofa, and smiled with a sense of relief. "No need, I already spoke to him about it. Upon reflection, I see this as a positive development. It allows us to sever ties with him, and I can finally let go of the worry of him trying to take the kids away from me.”
Harper still felt uneasy. "What about Landon and Winston? How are you planning to explain the situation to them?"
Riley was also perplexed by Harper's question. Upon hearing her inquiry, Riley hesitated before responding, "I will come up with an appropriate explanation."
The two deliberated on the matter for some time, and as it grew late, Harper eventually departed. The following morning, the two young ones woke up early as usual for school, had breakfast, and eagerly waited for their mother to take them to kindergarten.
After spending the night contemplating an excuse, Riley felt a twinge of guilt upon seeing the kids waiting so patiently. Despite this, she proceeded to share the reason she had concocted overnight. "I have been thinking, and I believe that kindergarten didn’t fit your talents. What do you think about enrolling in some interest classes instead?"
The two boys remained silent for a moment.
Riley smiled casually. "Winston, I remember you enjoy computers. How about computer class? And Landon, would you be interested in learning about finance? Or is there something else you'd like to explore?”
Upon hearing this, the two young children finally grasped the situation and glanced at their mom with confusion. "Mommy, why aren't we going to kindergarten anymore? We didn't even get to say goodbye to Finley. If she doesn't see us there, she might cry." Thinking of what happened, Riley felt a sense of irony.
Last time, Donovan had personally brought Finley over to spend an evening with the kids, and the atmosphere seemed harmonious.
She had been worried that Donovan might notice something was off.
But she hadn't expected that in just a few days, such a thing would happen.
Thinking of this, Riley collected her thoughts and told the kids, "I'll say goodbye to Finley on your behalf. You two get ready. I'll withdraw you from school."
The two little ones were still confused, but seeing that their mom had made up her mind, they reluctantly agreed.
After Riley left, the two little ones ran next door and knocked on the door.
Upon opening the door and seeing them standing there, Harper recalled Riley's words from the previous night and was filled with a mix of guilt and sympathy.
Unable to withstand the children's inquiries, she eventually divulged the full truth to them.
As the kids learned that their dad was responsible for their expulsion from kindergarten, the sparkle in their eyes faded and their faces displayed palpable disappointment.
