?


    Sebastian felt his heart melt.


    "Baby, are you smiling at Daddy? Steve, can you smile once more, please?"


    Sebastian was so moved he nearly cried. It was the child''s first smile, and it was directed at him.


    For the first time, he truly felt the joy of being a father. All along, though Sebastian cherished Steve, he had always felt some distance from the baby. After all, Steve was Theodore''s child. It was because of Rosalie that Sebastian had grown fond of the boy, hoping this would earn Rosalie''s affection.


    Deep down, he couldn''t say he truly loved this child. Yet, at this moment, he suddenly felt he was falling in love with Steve.


    It felt as though Steve were his son, regardless of his bloodline.


    Blood ties no longer mattered. The moment Steve smiled at him, Sebastian no longer cared about anything else.


    Steve smiled again, his eyes clear and bright.


    When he smiled, it was like a small flower blooming, delicate and enchanting. Hisughter was as crisp and delightful as silver bells, a heavenly sound that touched the depths of one''s soul. His innocent and pure smile filled anyone who saw it with the beauty and hope of life, bringing a sense of pure happiness.


    "Steve, my sweet boy." Sebastian carefully extended a finger and gently stroked Steve''s face, as if afraid of identally damaging his soft, delicate skin.


    "You''re so good to Daddy. Only you truly appreciate me. Your mother doesn''t understand. She''s ungrateful."


    Steve waved his arms around, his tiny hands like feathers lightly patting the air, as if dancing to a rhythm of happiness. It was as though he was trying to touch Sebastian.


    Sebastian asked, "Steve, do you want to touch my face?"


    With a soft smile, Sebastian brought his face closer. Steve extended his little hand, gently touching Sebastian''s face.


    In the baby''s eyes was a gleam of joy and curiosity. His gaze fixed on Sebastian as he explored this vast world.


    When Steve looked at Sebastian,


    there was no fear or anxiety, only curiosity. His eyes were as pure as an untouched spring. There was nothingplicated in the child''s eyes.


    Sebastian gently held Steve''s small hand and kissed his tiny fingers.


    "I''m sorry, Steve. I won''t be harsh with you anymore."This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Steve giggled once again.


    An infant''s world was simple—he liked whoever gave him a sense of security.


    Sebastian had indeed been caring for Steve over this period. He would soothe Steve to sleep at night, change his diapers, and feed him. When Steve cried, Sebastian wouldfort him, and though Steve couldn''t understand, Sebastian would tell him stories and sing to him.


    Thus, Steve had grown used to Sebastian''s voice and embrace.


    When Sebastian held him, he mostly didn''t cry, but if someone else held him, he was very likely to start crying.


    Sebastian gave Steve a sense of security. A baby knew nothing but how to differentiate fear and safety, and Sebastian made him feetsafe.


    Though Sebastian had just yelled at him, which had frightened him, he soon became gentle again, restoring the child''s sense of safety.


    "Steve, you''re so wonderful. I''m lucky


    to have you. Don''t worry. Even if we don''t share blood, I''ll still treat you as my own son. I can''t wait to see you grow up and hear you call me Dad.


    "When you''re grown up, you''ll make sure those who bullied your mother or hurt your father will pay, right?


    "Including that man, Theodore."