The Huxham Corporation''s area boasted lush greenery. The trees along the main roads were tall and leafy, their branches casting shadows that shielded the road from the zing sunlight. The tranquil atmosphere was almost serene. I turned to Zane, walking beside me. "Have you finished all your work?"


    Zane, who never liked lying, replied honestly, "Not yet."


    He hadn''t forgotten Milton''s and Dorothy''s advice to always appear slightly vulnerable around me to keep me concerned for him. Casually, he added, "I''m just feeling a bit tired."


    I sighed somehow regretfully. "Too bad I can''t help you much. But this ount I''ve set up-once the merchandise starts selling, it might generate a lot of ie for me."


    I had thought long and hard before adding, "If yourpany ever runs into trouble and can''t stay afloat, you''re wee toe to me. I''ll take care of you and Willow."


    Zane was confident hispany would never face such a situation, but he hadn''t expected me to think that far ahead. A fleeting, irresponsible thought crossed his mind if thepany really did go bankrupt, would it bring us closer? With a softugh, Zane said, "Alright."


    He stepped in front of me, pulling me into a hug. "I''m so lucky to have you."


    I had grown ustomed to these embraces and responded lightly, "As you should be."


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    Meanwhile, Harry picked up Zachary, bringing along a doll he had ordered. When Zachary opened the package and saw the doll resembling Annalise, tears welled up in his eyes. They spilled over inrge droplets as he clutched the doll tightly. He didn''t want Annalise to see him in such a pitiful state, so he quickly wiped his face and said softly, "I never thought I''d have a chance to be with you again, Mommy."


    Though he tried not to cry, the tears wouldn''t stop. Hugging the doll tightly, he poured his heart out. "Mommy, do you know how long it''s been since you left me? I miss you so much!"


    Harry and Hannah, who witnessed this, couldn''t bear to watch. They turned away, both troubled by the scene.


    How could Annalise be so heartless? How could she abandon her own sonpletely?


    Sharing a silent nce, they decided they needed to speak with Annalise. Perhaps they could arrange for her to talk to Zachary.


    After releasing his pent-up emotions, Zachary felt a bit more at ease. Holding the doll close, he said softly, "Mommy, I know I hurt you a lot, but I''ll make it up to you. Please forgive me, okay?"


    en


    At the school gate, Willow and Penelope were having a tearful goodbye. The two little girls were both teary-eyed.


    Willow had only recently started


    being


    Pe able to talk freely with


    Penelope, and now, they had


    eager to keep talkinge


    much to share. Penelope was just as


    Both of them turned to look at me.


    Amused, I offered, "How abouting to our house?"


    Willow lit up at the idea and eagerly asked Penelope, "Want toe? At home, we''ve got Grandpa and Grandma, and me..."


    Penelope''s eyes shone with longing,


    but as a well-behaved child, she


    turned to Suzy for permission.


    "Mom, can we go?" she asked, her


    gaze full of hope.


    Suzy, who always supported Penelope, smiled. "Sure. Let''s go."


    The two girls cheered, holding hands as they climbed into Suzy''s car. Zane and I rode with Richard.


    As someone who had single-handedly raised Willow, Zane couldn''t help feeling a bit downcast. "She doesn''t even want to ride home with me anymore."


    I chuckled, giving his shoulder aforting pat. "Don''t overthink it. Kids grow up."


    "But she''s only five years old," Zane said, sighing.


    I couldn''t help butugh. "And she''sing home, isn''t it? She''s not running off somewhere else."


    That seemed to reassure Zane somewhat. "You''re right."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!