But as their Mommy, I should be the one cleaning after their mess.
“Wait, you said you’ll punish Juan and Kyle. How are you going to punish them?” Nicole looked up and inquired nervously.
“That’s none of your business. After punishing the girls, come and apologize to Sylphiette with them!” He commanded sternly.
“They are my sons, too. I have the right to know—”
Before Nicole could finish, Evan glowered at her and went back to his room.
His face was so grim the surrounding temperature dropped several degrees.
I guess he’s really mad this time.
Nicole felt uneasy at his reaction. Suddenly, she recalled that Davin was the one who summoned her back. He might be the only person who could help them now.
She hurriedly retreated to the rear house and saw Davin with her two daughters. He was talking to them.
When the girls spotted her, they immediately told her how Evan brought Kyle and Juan away. “What should we do?” They asked worriedly.
“Who was the one who came up with the idea to shove her into the pond?”
Maya and Nina looked at each other. Nicole thought Nina would step up and admit it was her, but it was Maya who took a step forward and choked out, “Mommy, it was me.”
“You?”
This daft and adorable daughter of mine?
Nicole could only stare at her in disbelief.
“Nicole, before you came back, I asked them about it. It was Maya who said, ‘Witch, fall into the pond!’ So the kids did as told.”
He added, “Don’t blame them, since it was Sylphiette who came to the rear house to provoke them. If they did nothing to stop their Mommy from being bullied, then they aren’t good kids. They might have been wrong, but they are kids, right? Look, they’ve apologized. Everyone makes mistakes!”
“Mommy, the witch scolded us and splashed milk at us. My shoes are dirty, look!” Maya complained.
Nicole looked down at Maya’s shoes, where the milk stain was still visible. The little girl had lowered her gaze, pouting while she rubbed her chubby hands. Her tears pooled in her eyes pitifully.
At once, Nicole pulled her in for a tight hug as bitterness washed over her.
“Mommy, I won’t let the witch bully our family,” Maya announced before bursting into tears.
Right then, as Nicole hugged Maya tightly, guilt rose in her heart.
It was all because of me.
“I know you want to protect me, but don’t do this again, alright?”
Both kids nodded solemnly.
“Yes, we have plenty of ways to teach her a lesson,” Davin consoled and winked at the kids.
When the girls realized what he meant, they nodded vigorously.
Nicole frowned at his words. “Hey, what did you teach them?”
“Nicole, if somebody messes with me, you can bet I’ll mess with them. I’m teaching them to give her a taste of her own medicine instead of doing dangerous acts.”
The words in Nicole’s throat died at his explanation.
Davin then continued, “Nicole, what are you going to do now?”
“I’m worried about Juan and Kyle,” she replied. “I wonder how they are doing now. Can you help me find out?”
“Evan locked them up in the room. They are getting a time-out. I tried to stop him, but he ignored me. I think he’s really mad this time, so you might be the only one who can stop him.”
Davin shrugged helplessly.
Nicole fell silent as she caressed Maya’s chubby hands. Looking at Nina, she said, “Wait here. I’ll be back soon.”
Both girls wanted to come along to protect her, but Davin told them not to stir up trouble. Their Mommy could solve it alone.
