Chapter 77 Feeling Like an Outsider
Donovan stood not too far from the restaurant's entrance, watching the little girl finally smile, complex emotions in his eyes.
He hadn't expected that after all his efforts, a few words from this mother and her sons could achieve more than he did.
Not only did Finley stop crying, but she also started to smile.
After standing there for a while and seeing Finley being entertained by Landon and Winston, Donovan stepped inside, intending to take Finley back.
They had come because Finley wanted to confirm something with her own eyes, and now that she had, it was time to go back. Just as he reached Finley, he heard the little girl's stomach growl.
Riley furrowed her brows, "Haven't eaten dinner yet?"
Finley pursed her lips and nodded. Seeing this, Riley turned to the man standing beside her, her gaze slightly reproachful.
Donovan met her gaze expressionlessly, "I tried to persuade her. She was restless all night, locked herself in her room when we got back and refused to eat or drink. I promised to bring her here, and she finally stopped fussing, but she hasn't eaten yet."
Riley glanced at the man's thin shirt and reluctantly looked away. Beside them, Landon looked at Finley with concern, "We just started eating. Do you want to join us?"
Finley's eyes lit up, nodding eagerly before remembering to seek Donovan's approval. After a few seconds of hesitation, Donovan looked at Riley, "If it's not too much trouble, could you get her something to eat?"
"Sit between Landon and Winston?" Riley suggested directly. Finley's face lit up with a big smile. Landon and Winston immediately shifted their chairs to make room for Finley.
Donovan watched as Finley sat between the two twins, unconsciously furrowing his brow. They looked like a family, with Donovan appearing like the outsider.
Riley settled Finley in her seat, served her food, and watched the three kids huddled together with a smile in her eyes.
However, the gaze of the man beside her made her uneasy. Riley suppressed her smile and turned to look in Donovan's direction.
Meeting her gaze, Donovan also masked his emotions, his face showing indifference. "And you?"
Riley asked casually, suppressing the unease in her heart. Hearing this, Donovan furrowed his brow slightly, looking puzzled. Riley calmly averted her gaze and glanced at the food on the table, "Have you eaten?"
Finley was refusing to eat, so Riley thought that this man must have been busy comforting someone all night.
Donovan couldn't help but pause, staring at her for a few seconds before nonchalantly averting his eyes, saying distantly, "I'm fine. Dinner is ready at home; I'll just reheat it when I get back. It's just that Finley likes to be with these two kids. Thank you for dinner. I'll wait in the living room and not disturb your meal."
With that, Donovan looked at the three kids happily interacting, then turned to leave.
Hearing this, Riley knew that Donovan was really about to leave hungry. She helplessly pursed her lips, "There's enough food at home for you, too, and with Finley's father not here, she might feel a bit uneasy."
As she finished speaking, Finley lifted her head, seeing her dad about to leave, a hint of worry in her eyes.
Without waiting for his response, Riley served him some soup and placed it on the table, "If you don't mind, sit down and eat with us."
Landon, seeing this scene, furrowed his brow slightly but didn't say anything in the end. Winston, on the other hand, ate while sneakily glancing at Donovan not far away, feeling a sense of anticipation.
