"I don''t like it," she deliberately raised her voice, openly disagreeing with Hackett.


    Hackett didn''t press the matter further and decided to see her of


    When they reached the underground garage, Valeria suddenly suggested, "How about we all get together for dinner at the Maddox family''s ce this weekend? You''ll have to be the gracilis host since I''m not well-acquainted with yton, and Alex might not be too keen on joining. We''ll be counting on you to maintain decorum.


    Hackett was momentarily stunned, genuinely surprised by Valera''s swift eptance.


    He had assumed that Valeria would reject the idea outright, so he responded, "Certainly, I''ll be there to fetch you all when


    the timees."


    "Sounds good."


    Valeria pulled open her car door, settled into the driver''s seat, started the engine, and gradually departed.


    Hackett remained rooted in ce, his gaze fixed on the fading taillights as they disappeared into the depths of the underground garage. He heaved a deep sigh. This wasn''t what Viileria had desired, yet she hadpromised, and he couldn''t fathom her reasons. The weekend came around swiftly.


    As evening descended, Alex had been nagging for dinner incessantly, but Hackett was conspicuously absent.


    "Alright, quit your hollering. "Daddy will be here soon, and he''ll take you out for something delicious. How does that sound?"


    "But when''s Daddying, Mommy? Why''s he taking so long? Alex''s face wore an expression of hunger-induced despair, on the brink of a meltdown.


    Valeriaforted Alex, saying, "I just called a moment ago, and there''s a bit of traffic on the road. Daddy will be here soon! Hang on a little while longer. Here, have a cookie to keep your tummy at bay. Chime!


    The doorbell finally chimed, prompting Alex to abandon his cookie and race to the door.


    Valeria shook her head in resignation and turned to E. "We won''t be dining at home tonight. Make sure to have your dinner on time. We might be back a littlete, so no need to wait for us." E smiled and nodded. "Alright, I''ve got it."Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Daddy!" Alex excitedly leaped into Hackett''s arms. Hackett lifted Alex and then looked at Valeria. "Are you ready? Let''s go." Valeria grabbed her purse and exited the house. They settled into the car.


    Valeria upied the front passenger seat, gazing at Hackett''s focused profile as he drove. She inquired. "Have you informed. yton? Does he know we''reing?" "Don''t worry. I''ll be right by your side. It''s just a dinner," he sensed Valeria''s unease.


    "I''m not nervous at all...


    "Hmm... A hint of a smile yed on the man''s lips.


    Guu


    The car glided slowly imo de Maddox''s vi garden. Alex, leaning from the back seat, gazed outside. "Daddy, where are we? I''m starving. I want something to eat. "Let''s get out. We''re going to grab a bite."


    As Valeria entered the Maddox''s vi, a wave of genuine nervousness washed over her. Was this indeed her childhood home!


    If it hadn''t been lost twenty years ago, could I have grown up in ce like this...


    Valeria released her seatbelt and cast a gaze


    her eyes a blend of curiosity and unfamiliarity.


    Just then, Jasper approached, ready to escort them to the dining room where the Maddox family had been patiently waiting. Valeria held Alex''s hand as they navigated through the garden, heading steadily toward the vi. Meanwhile, in the dining room, the Maddox family sat in impable order around the dining table, a tableden with delectable dishes, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Valeria and Alex.


    Mrs. Maddox was starting to grow impatient. "Why haven''t they arrived yet? Could there have been ast-minute change of ns?"


    No one could have foreseen Mrs. Maddox''s delight when Hackett called to confirm Valeria''s eptance of the dinner invitation. Yet, as they anxiously awaited her arrival, her emotions swung between impatience and apprehension. yton furrowed his brow. "What kind of talk is that? Elena''s all grown up. How could she go back on her word? Besides, we just confirmed everything over the phone. Traffic''s a mess right now. You had to choose dinner during rush hour." "I just thought evenings would be more rxed, and after dinner, we could have some coffee," Mrs. Maddox was visibly nervous, afraid that Valeria might not arrive.


    Elsie sat silently, her emotions a swirling mix that was hard to describe.


    At that moment, Jasper approached. "Mr. Maddox, Ms. Sharp, and Mr. James have arrived."


    yton and Mrs. Maddox''s faces brightened as they eagerly turned their heads in anticipation.


    Valeria led Alex into the dining room. When Alex spotted Elsie, he couldn''t resist pointing and eximing, "Oh no, it was the annoying yet unpleasant aunt, once again. Mommy! I don''t want to be here. I want to go home."


    Alex, with outstretched arms, yearned for a hug. Valeria, her patience unwavering, cradled the child and gently admonished, "Alex, we can''t do it this way, alright?"


    Elsie, suppressing her frustration, wasforted by Loretta, "Oh well, he''s just a child. Let''s not fuss over it


    yton couldn''t hide his delight at her arrival. At least someone hade and with a child in tow. Let''s take it step by step. There was hope that everything would improve.


    "Please, have a seat. You must be hungry. We''ve got a few more dishesing from the kitchen for you," yton said, then turned to Jasper nearby. "Go ahead and bring the dishes in."


    "Certainly," Jasper replied before leaving the dining room.


    Valeria carefully ced Alex in a high chair nearby, coaxing. "Are you hungry? Look at all this delicious food. What would you like Daddy to serve you?"


    She also sat nearby while Hackett settled on the other side of Alex, effectively sandwiching Alex in between them. This arrangement was intended to ensure Alex feltfortable and secure, avoiding any sense of unfamiliarity or fear. Mrs. Maddox gazed at Alex with great affection. After all, he was her cherished grandson from afar. She spoke in a soothing


    tone that one might use with children, saying, "Alex, what would you like to eat? I can help you with that. Everything on this table is just for you. Or perhaps you have another craving? I can ask the kitchen staff to prepare it for you, alright?" Alex picked up a fork and said. "I can manage myself."


    Alex was genuinely hungry. He had beenining about hunger at home, and now, with this grand spread before him, he couldn''t help but drool.


    Valeria spoke calmly. He can manage independently. No need for assistance. Just be prepared for a bit of a mess at the


    table.


    "That''s perfectly fine. All kids are like that, yton remarked, watching the spirited little one with an approving smile.