Chapter 78 The Pain Will Be Gone Soon
In the past, they would have dinner together with Mommy, occasionally with a godmother added in.
This was the first time they had dinner with Dad.
At that moment, Landon and Winston had mixed feelings.
Donovan stopped in his tracks, turned around to meet Finley's watery eyes, and saw the table set for four, a hint of something unusual passing through his eyes.
Technically, the four of them were indeed a family. Sitting down with them seemed a bit out of place.
Donovan thought so, but by the time he realized it, he had already sat down at the dining table.
With Donovan's presence, the previously joyful atmosphere seemed to have stiffened a bit.
Landon and Winston fell silent, only focusing on eating their food. Without Landon and Winston talking to Finley, she found it hard to eat and just held her small bowl, taking small bites.
“Is there something you don't like to eat, Finley?" Riley noticed the little girl's discomfort and asked softly.
Upon hearing this, Finley quickly shook her head. She liked the food Riley made. She just wasn't in the mood right now.
Winston, knowing Riley wouldn't speak, stopped his fork and answered for her, "Riley doesn't like carrots and green peppers, just like us. She used to pick them out at school!"
Riley smiled, "I will help you pick them out, okay?"
Finley's face lit up, nodding obediently. Seeing this, Riley got up, walked over to Finley, picked the carrots and green peppers out of her plate, and watched as Finley picked up her fork.
Finley was about to continue eating when she accidentally touched a sore spot on her hand, causing tears to well up in her eyes and her hand to freeze in place. She looked up at Riley for help, looking pitiful.
Seeing Finley's distress, Riley quickly set down her utensils, "What's wrong?"
Finley bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears, and turned her hand over for inspection.
Seeing Finley's hand, everyone was shocked.
Finley's wheat-colored skin, under the light, made the red mark on the back of her hand look somewhat alarming.
Riley furrowed her brows in concern and asked, "How did this happen?"
Finley bit her lip and remained silent. Riley then glanced towards Donovan.
Meeting her accusing gaze, Donovan felt inexplicably guilty but remained composed, "Did you hurt yourself while breaking something?"
Riley's worry deepened, "Breaking what?"
Donovan spoke in a low voice, "Finley doesn't know how to express her emotions. When she gets really angry, she sometimes breaks things to vent."
He didn't know how to say the words "autism" to Riley or what her reaction would be.
Riley's eyes showed surprise, then she turned to Finley and asked, "Did you hurt yourself?"
Finley hesitated for a few seconds before nodding slightly.
Seeing her admission, Donovan furrowed his brow, "Why didn't you tell Dad?"
Finley shrank back, moving closer to Riley with a look of distress.
Seeing Finley's state, Riley shot Donovan another disapproving look. Finley was hurt, and Donovan's tone was still the same.
"Is it very painful?" Riley withdrew her gaze from Donovan and gently held Finley's hand, rubbing it lightly. Finley pursed her lips and nodded.
"Be good, I will apply some medicine for you, and the pain will be gone soon." Riley let go of her hand and instructed Landon and Winston, "Talk to Finley for a bit. I'll go get the first aid kit."
Landon and Winston nodded quickly and started chatting with Finley, sharing some interesting stories.
