Hackett''s expression grew increasingly serious as he stared intently at her. "So why did you tarnish my irnage in front of our son? When have I ever said I didn''t want you both? I had no idea about Alex. If I had known, how could I possibly not want him?" he questioned. He had been nursing this resentment for a long time. If Valeria ad exined the pregnancy more thoroughly four years ago, he would never have initiated the divorce proceedings.


    Valeria remained silent, her thoughts lingering on the pointlessness of their argument. "Why are we arguing about this again?" she wondered.


    She turned her head away and nced at the pot, where the water was about to boil over.


    "The water is boiling," she remarked.


    Only then did Hackett notice the boiling water in the pot. He lifted the lid, added some cold water, and began preparing the spaghetti,


    The two of them cooked the spaghetti in silence.


    Earlier, the teacher had informed them that after dinner, everyone would gather on the open field for games


    "Mommy, is the spaghetti ready? I am so hungry." Alex called out, running back, all sweaty with his face flushed from ying.


    Valeria smiled and replied, "Yes, it is ready. Come and enjoy your spaghetti.


    After serving them both portions of spaghetti, Hackett didn''t serve himself and observed them.


    "Aren''t you going to eat? Valeria asked curiously.


    But he responded, "I am not hungry. I had eaten just before we left."


    Actually, he had noticed that Valeria had only prepared enough spaghetti for one person, and since Alex had a small. appetite, it was s sufficient for the two of them.


    In a moment of reflection, he realized that he had indeed undergone significant changes.


    He would never have considered others in the past, which was why his grandfather often called him selfish and spoiled. Now that he had be a father, he seemed to have be much morepassionate.


    As he watched his son eat heartily in this setting, a smile yed on his lips. He reached out with arge hand and stroked his son''s fluffy head, feeling a touch of sympathy even though everything was fine now.


    gently


    Despite everything, he couldn''t help but feel remorse, not knowing how Valeria had managed over the past four years, bncing work and taking care of their child. Did she often leave the child with others? The thought filled him with sympathy


    After they finished their spaghetti, Hackett and Valeria joined Alex on the open field, where they were surprised to find that the kindergarten teacher had already prepared a bonfire for a campfire evening.


    All the children were thrilled, bouncing with excitement. It was their first time so close to nature.


    Holding Valeria''s hand with one hand and Hackett''s with the other, Alex suddenly looked up at them and said, "Mommy, it feels like we are a family."


    The two adults fell silem.


    In reality, the three of them were already a family.


    Valeria''s eyes welled up with tears, whether from the campfire''s dickering light or because of Alex''s heartfelt words.


    The man bent down, effortlessly lifting little Alex with one arm, and addressed him in a gentle and indulgent tone, "So, how about I be your dad? I promise not to lose my temper in the future, okay?" he said, genuinely willing to make thismitment for his son. It was a challenging promise for Hackett to make, given his uncontroble temper, but he was determined to try for his son''s


    sake.


    With an innocent look, Alex stared at Hackett and asked earnestly. "But if you be my dad, are you going to marry Mommy? That''s what all dads do, right?"


    Though children often spoke without filters, this question left both adults in silent contemtion.


    The current situation, how should one describe it, is in utter chaos.


    Hackett gazed at Valeria''s petite visage. Naturally, he yearned to remarry. Ever since Valeria had returned to the country, the idea of remarriage had been on his mind. However, Valeria was unwilling...


    A shadow clouded the man''s deep, dark eyes as he pondered this.


    Valeria met the intensity in the man''s gaze, apanied by the innocence in her son''s eyes, and she found herself at a loss for words.


    Between the two adults, they had already moved on, and Hackett had relinquished the idea of remarriage. But now, because of Alex''s words, he was lost in thought.


    Valeria offered a faint smile and sped the hand of little Alex. She said, "Hackett has someone he''s fond of now, so he can''t marry Mommy."


    The man furrowed his brow slightly, truly tempted to exim. That is nonsensel


    The little one appeared visibly disappointed, pouting as he stated, "Oh... then he can''t be my dad. Dads are supposed to marry Mommy, take care of Mommy, and protect Mommy."


    Valeria could not help but chuckle; he was indeed her grown-up boy, always looking out for her.


    I do not, the man tly denied.


    Valeria, however, asserted, "It is evident you have feelings for Nancy, Otherwise, why would you be willing to keep her around? Do not deceive yourself; I would not ept a man gued by guilt. Besides, I never entertained thoughts of remarriage with you." Hackett''s face reddened; now he wished he could go back and give Finn a sound thrashing. His first love, Nancy, had turned into an obstacle.


    He found himself in a rather awkward situation, unable to voice his frustration.


    Alex''s grape-like eyes shifted between the faces of the two adults, inquiring, "What''s remarriage? What does it mean?"Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    For a three-year-old like Alex, the term ''remarriage" remained beyond his grasp.


    Valeria responded, "It means finding happiness. Now, run along and y with the other kids; the teacher is organizing a dance for them Chapter 170


    She gently lifted Alex fromthe man''s embrace, ced him on the grass, and the little one darted off toward the other children.


    The flickering firelight cast a gentle glow on their faces, creating an inexplicable sense of harmony.


    Hackett spoke up suddenly. Perhaps, for the sake of our child, we should consider remarriage. He deserves a healthy living environment and the presence of both parents in his life."


    At that moment, Valeria felt a touch of disdain and mused, "Is this man contemting an unloving marriage, simr to Keith''s situation? Why are all men like this?"


    She shook her head with a faint smile and stated, "No need. Parents who don''t love each other, forcing themselves to coexist, can also torment the child." "Parents who do not wish to love each other?" Hackett pondered


    A pang


    ang of mncholy touched Hackett''s heart. He wondered, "Is she saying she doesn''t love me anymore!"


    Four years ago, Valeria had been entirely devoted to him, but now... she often seemed to seek distance.


    The campfire party continued, with Valeria engaged in games with the children.


    Hackett stood alone in a secluded corner, lit a cigarette, gazed into the distance, and contemted, "Is Finn''s pursuit by retreat'' strategy working? "Why does it feel like Valeria is drifting further from me? Valeria doesn''t seem to show any inclination toward remarriage.


    "Her earlier mention of parents who don''t love each other'' has left me feeling powerless."


    Hemanded the entire world out there, but when it


    Could hepel Valeria to love him once more...?


    came to his wife and child...


    Casting a nce at the mother and son by the campfire, his handsome countenance tensed, and possessiveness brewed in his eyes.