"Evander, I won’t let you leave!"
Evander turned around, wrapping her in his strong arms. He kissed her forehead gently, speaking in a soft, reassuring tone.
"Reese, did I make things hard for you?"
"But the kids really missed you. All hurt his head, and I couldn’t calm him down."
Only then did Reese notice the bandage on one of the boy's heads. He looked up at her with a pitiful expression.
"Mommy, my brother hit me."
Reese's heart melted instantly. She scooped him up, cradling him in her arms.
"Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Mommy didn’t take care of you properly."
She ushered them into the house, her warmth evident.
Evander stood by the door, his blue eyes twinkling with indifference as he smiled at me.
"Matteo, sorry for the intrusion. I brought you a gift from Italy."
He unrolled a painting with casual grace.
In the painting, lush green grass spread out beneath a towering tree, its thick branches casting a vast shadow.
Beneath the tree, a thin, weary-looking donkey lay sprawled.
My pupils dilated. I hadn’t expected such a sly move; this was a direct insult and a mocking gesture.
Reese, her face lighting up, placed the boy down and exclaimed with delight.
"Evander, how thoughtful! A gift!"