Chapter 256 Soft-hearted to a Fault
After setting up their stay and with night falling, Zoey took the parents to the restaurant in the botanical garden.
Riley took the kids to grab some food.
The restaurant was packed with garden staff, way more than those who got off the bus. Finley didn't like it and clung to Riley, never taking her eyes off her.
Riley noticed Finley's stare, turned around, and saw her timid look. Feeling a pang of sympathy, she let Landon and Winston hold hands and freed one hand to hold Finley's.
Finley looked at Riley's hand and instinctively grabbed it, smiling and losing her timidness.
Donovan, worried about Finley, had been following them. When he saw Riley holding Finley's hand, he had mixed feelings.
Getting food for four was tough for Riley.
Just as she thought about putting some back and lining up again, a big hand reached over.
"Let me do it," Donovan said in a deep voice.
Riley froze for a moment. Seeing the kids hungry, she handed the tray to Donovan and continued to get more food, including Donovan's portion.
While eating, Finley sat right next to Riley, not leaving her side.
Riley sat with the three kids, and Donovan sat next to Finley.
With Donovan on one side and Riley on the other, Finley seemed very happy.
Landon and Winston, sitting across from them, looked at Donovan next to Finley and felt a bit resentful.
Anyone who didn't know better would think they were a family!
But Donovan was going to marry another woman, leaving them and Riley.
Thinking of this, Landon and Winston were upset and just focused on their food.
"Landon, Winston, eat," Finley said with a smile, putting food on their plates.
The two kids were stunned. They saw Finley seriously scooping food with her little spoon, giving portions to both Donovan and Riley. "Daddy, eat. Riley, eat."
Seeing the little spoon in front of her, Riley felt her heart swelled with tenderness, imagining the child she had lost might have been as endearing and sensible as the delightful Finley.
Donovan's eyes darkened at Finley's actions.
After the news last time, Catherine had come over to talk about him and Riley.
Finley had asked him if he was going to marry Riley, saying she liked Riley as her mommy.
He always felt that Finley saw Riley as her mother.
The thought of revealing Riley's true identity to Finley sent a ripple of emotion through Donovan's chest. He couldn't fathom the impact it might have on the little girl who had occupied his heart.
Thinking of this, Donovan looked at Finley and Riley with a complex expression.
Riley noticed Donovan's gaze and looked up, confused.
Their eyes met, Donovan frowned slightly but didn't say anything and looked away.
