Nichs and Cory interacted naturally, which made me feel relieved. With another child in the house, we needed to prepare his sleeping area and clothing.


    Nichs called his secretary to pack Cory''s belongings and purchase some new clothes to be delivered. Meanwhile, I went upstairs with Wendy to tidy up the bedroom next to mine and Tabitha''s. The little guy confidently imed he wasn''t afraid of the dark and could sleep on his own.


    Still, Wendy expressed her concerns, saying, "Cory has a pitiful background, but our family''s situation is different from most. Will he understand the rtionship between you and Mr. Hawk?


    "Plus, boys are more boisterous by nature. If he ends up shing with Tabitha, it could be a disaster. Are you sure you want to raise Cory here? Wouldn''t it be better to have someone care for him elsewhere for now and bring him back when Tabitha''s situation stabilizes?"


    I paused briefly, hands mid-motion as I spread the fitted sheet. Then I resumed, saying firmly, "Wendy, from now on, Cory is my child."


    I understood that Wendy only wanted the best for the household. However, having decided to adopt Cory, I would treat him no differently than my own.


    Wendy hesitated for a moment before sighing and eventually saying, "Alright. I understand..."


    Before she could say more, we suddenly heard the sound of small, bare feet pattering across the floor. A tiny figure darted past us in a sh.


    Wendy and I exchanged nces before she pped her thigh and eximed, "What did I just say?"


    Without a moment''s hesitation, we chased after him. Cory wasn''t running aimlessly-his destination was Tabitha''s room!


    Tabitha was sitting on the plush carpet with a few scattered building blocks around her. She raised her eyes, looking somewhat puzzled at the boy standing in front of her.


    When we arrived, this was the scene we saw-Cory was holding something in his hand, extending it toward Tabitha.


    "Tabitha, Ms. Ariana said I''ll be your big brother from now on and that I should treat this as my home. If that''s the case, my things are your things too.


    "This is a pendant my dad gave me. He said it''s a good luck charm to keep me safe. Can I give it to you?"


    As Cory finished speaking, silence fell over the room. Tabitha''s dark eyes didn''t blink, staring as if there was no one in front of her at all.


    "Tabitha..."


    His voice was barely audible, and all the courage he had mustered seemed to drain the moment he raised his hand.


    "Dad said ignoring people is rude... You''re being rude... But you''re my sister... Can you please not be rude to me..."


    Cory''s voice trembled as he tried to hold back his tears. In the end, tears spilled down his cheeks, sliding down his thickshes.


    He quickly buried his face in his sleeve, wiping away his tears before looking up again. However, his face was still streaked with them.


    For some reason, I felt like I saw a


    hint of disdain in a child who wasn''t even four years old! In that fleeting moment, her expression bore an uncanny resemnce to Nichs'' faintly furrowed brows.


    Tabitha continued staring at the crying Cory in front of her. The two seemed to exist in parallel worlds, with no intersection between them, leaving Cory visibly frustrated and flustered.  en


    In his exasperation, he dered, "If you won''t take it, I''ll just make you!"


    With that, he opened his hand to reveal a pendant. It looked like a typical charm for good luck. Then, he reached forward to put it around Tabitha''s neck.


    Wendy gasped audibly, "I''ll take Cory out right now!"


    "Wait! Hold on!"


    I quickly stopped her because I heard Tabitha speak.


    "No. Crying. Allowed."


    Her babyish voice came out in haltingmands, and though it wasced with annoyance, she allowed Cory to loop the pendant string around her neck without resistance.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!