Chapter 135 Can We Reconcile?
So, after Sarah got the kids outta the restaurant, she didn't just head back to the room. Nah, she took 'em to the hotel's garden instead.
This place was the fanciest hotel in Silvercrest, and the garden was like a mini-park, all trimmed up and bursting with colorful, exotic flowers.
Sarah figured the kids had a rough day, especially with Antonio's nonsense, so she thought a stroll might cheer 'em up.
Lucky for her, the kids were already perking up, eyes wide and curious.
Harper, in particular, was like a joyful little butterfly, zipping around the garden all excited.
Seeing the kids happy finally put Sarah at ease. She even cracked a smile and called out, "Harper, don't go too far, or we'll lose ya!"
Harper turned back, grinning and winking. "Got it, Mommy!"
After wandering a bit, Harper scoped out the area and her eyes lit up.
With a cheeky grin, she tapped Ethan on the shoulder, "Ethan, let's play hide and seek. You're it!"
And just like that, she bolted, disappearing behind some bushes.
By the time Ethan caught on, Harper was long gone. He just shook his head, smiling. "Harper, you better hide good. If I catch ya, there's gonna be a punishment!"
Ethan teased, creeping towards the bushes.
Sarah plopped down on a nearby bench, just watching them play.
Harper, who'd been cooped up for ages, was darting around like a maniac, glancing back to see if Ethan was close.
Spotting a rock garden, Harper dashed over, squatted down, and hid, ears perked up.
'This spot's perfect; Ethan'll never find me! I'm totally winning today!' she thought.
Just as she was planning her victory, Harper heard footsteps behind her, making her cover her mouth in a panic.
The steps got closer, and her heart pounded.
No way! Did Ethan find her already?
When the footsteps stopped right next to her, Harper sighed, ready to give up.
She puffed out her cheeks and looked up, only to see Antonio!
Her face fell instantly. Forget hide and seek, she was outta there, snorting in annoyance.
Antonio, seeing her reaction, didn't back off. He stepped in front of her. "Wait, I need to talk to you."
But Harper just pouted, turned away, and crossed her arms, clearly not interested.
Antonio sighed, almost too quietly to hear, and squatted down to her level.
He softened his usual tough-guy act and asked gently, "Are you mad?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, even Antonio was a bit taken aback.
He wasn't used to talking to anyone in such a soft, caring tone. Well, he used to, but the person who got that side of him was long gone.
But Harper just stayed quiet, turning her back on him.
Antonio's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to almost a whisper, "Harper, can we talk?"
Seeing Antonio, usually so high and mighty, lowering himself like this would make James question reality if he saw it.
Antonio was being real. Harper had always gotten along with him before, and he knew she liked him.
Today, her sudden cold shoulder and anger were really throwing him off.
Maybe his sincerity got through, 'cause Harper finally turned around, but she was still mad. "Yeah, I'm angry!"
Thinking about what happened, Harper's face scrunched up, and she snapped, "Ryan fainted on his own; it had nothing to do with Ethan orme!"
Just thinking about it made her fume. Ryan had insisted on tagging along to save Ethan.
Who would've guessed he'd just pass out, and then she and Ethan got treated like the bad guys.
What really stung was that Antonio didn't trust her!
Hearing Harper's words, a complicated look flashed in Antonio's eyes, and he said seriously, "Okay, I believe you."
But Harper wasn't buying it, squinting at him. "Then why'd you make us apologize?"
Antonio went quiet, his face a mix of guilt and regret.
He couldn't exactly say he was so mad at Sarah that he just blurted it out.
He hadn't really meant to make the kids apologize.
After a moment, Antonio looked at Harper's angry face and switched gears. "Harper, I got your favorite durian cake. Let's make up, and I'll take you to eat it, okay?"
At the mention of "durian cake," Harper's eyes lit up.
She'd been super mad, but hearing Antonio say he believed her took the edge off.
And he had gone out of his way to get her favorite treat. Maybe she should cut him some slack this time?
After all, if he didn't care, he wouldn't have tried so hard to make her happy!
With that in mind, Harper felt her resolve weakening, thinking about whether to go for the cake.
Just then, a small figure burst out from behind the rock garden, snapping her out of it.
Ethan had been searching through the bushes when he heard voices.
Recognizing Antonio's voice, Ethan got on high alert and followed the sound, finding Antonio there. His young face tensed up instantly.
"Harper!" Ethan rushed over and grabbed her hand. "Let's get outta here, quick!"
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