?


    Sunset gradually came, dying the sea and clouds orange. The scenery was beautiful as they returned to the campsite at the foot of the hill. After their discussion, Renee no longer had any expectations of Stefan. She merely regarded him as a stranger and ignored him. Holding the treasure chest, the children followed thern cautiously, tired of the ups and downs of their parents'' emotions.


    "Daddy, what did you do in the cave? Mommy looked so weird after she left the cave. She looks... scary!" Adie didn''t dare provoke Renee after she had scolded him, so he went to pester Stefan instead.


    "We didn''t say much." Stefan put both hands in his pockets and watched Renee, who was keeping some distance from them. He sighed, then whispered, "Your mommy wants to find a new daddy for you and your sister."


    "What?" Adie''s eyes grew wide in disbelief. "Is Mommy out of her mind? We have a daddy, so why does she want to find us a new one? If that happens, who will you be to us, Daddy?"


    "I don''t know!" Stefan shrugged helplessly. "I don''t want her to do that, but if she insists, I won''t stop her either." He knew that he could not give her a future, so she had every right to choose a future without him in it. It would be selfish of him to give her hope if he couldn''t make her happy.


    What? You won''t stop her?" Adle groaned. "Daddy, are you okay? Now I know why Mommy is sad. Your words broke her heart! I wouldn''t be able to take it either!"


    What do you mean?"


    "See. We all love you very much, but when she said she wants to find us a new daddy, it also means that she''s going to find a new husband for herself. I don''t care if she meant it or it was just a lie, you should have immediately protested!" Adie put both hands on his waist like an adult as he scolded Stefan. ''She was already upset with you and obviously wanted to know if you cared about her, but you didn''t care about her at all. No woman would tolerate their beloved man ignoring them like that."


    "Hmph, you understand so much about love though you''re just a boy. Be honest with me-is there a girl in the kindergarten you like?" Stefan raised an eyebrow, sounding stern as he smoothly changed the topic. He knew what Renee was thinking, so he had to pretend to be cruel to make her give up on him. Then, she could lead a new life without him. If he gave her hope, both of them would not forget about their romance, and it would be more painful for them.


    "Daddy, I''m talking about Mommy. Why are you changing the subject?" Adie blushed and pouted. "I''m a boy. I don''t like any girl except Abby."Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Abby was right beside them. She knew the truth but didn''t expose Adie''s lie. "Adie, I wonder if you can say that in front of Tiffany."


    "Tiffany?" Stefan asked curiously. "Who is that?"