Stephen mulled over it before sighing. “Fine. Come back as soon as you can.” He prayed nothing else would happen during this time.
After saying their goodbyes to Stephen, Nicole happily went back to her room to pack.
John watched Nicole and the four kids, his thoughts racing.
I wonder how Mr. Seet is going to react when he sees Mrs. Seet after so long. She hasn’t managed to regain any of her memories in the past year. Would being back in a familiar place trigger anything? If it does, what will she do? She does have an explosive temper.
At this, John’s brows creased in a worried frown.
Why is it so difficult for them to be together?
“John, what are you standing around for? C’mon!”
Seeing that John was still rooted to the spot, Nicole shouted back at him.
Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he hurried over to help them with their luggage.
Half an hour later, they were sitting in the private plane Stephen had arranged for them.
The moment they stepped off the plane, Nicole had John call Evan.
John took out his phone and did as told, telling Evan of their arrival. After a brief moment, he ended the call and pointed over at a nearby cafe. “Ms. Lane, it’s going to be twenty minutes before Mr. Seet gets here. Let’s wait for him over there.”
The children instantly agreed so Nicole nodded as well.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
John went off to order a cup of coffee while Nicole sat down with the kids at a table. They started to prattle, telling her about all the fun places in the country.
When they were done, Maya mentally sighed. Mommy was the one who took us to all those places last time. But now she doesn’t remember a thing! How are we supposed to help her?
Nina grabbed Nicole’s hand and asked her earnestly, “Stay with us, please?”
Stay with them at Evan’s house? That’s not very appropriate and convenient, is it?
Just as she was thinking of how to answer, Evan arrived.
“Daddy!” Juan called out sweetly.
To his surprise, his siblings rolled their eyes at him.
Daddy is a meanie! Why are you acting so cozy with him!
Hearing the shout, Evan turned around. His gaze brushed past John and the children before fixing on Nicole.
He noted how she seemed to have lost weight since they last met one year ago. However, her face was still as beautiful as he remembered, with a pair of bright and intelligent eyes.
Their gazes locked together. Nicole could see the passion and affection in his dark orbs. Her heart pounded in her chest and she hastily ducked her head.
I must be seeing things. There’s no way Evan will look at me like that! Ugh, it’s already been a year yet I still have such crazy thoughts when I see him. Snap out of it, woman!
When Evan came to a stop before them, Nina glared at him before pointedly turning her head away.
Kyle’s expression was cold and hard as he stared at his father.
Maya had to remind herself that her father had been a bad, bad man. Remembering what he had done to their mother, she scowled at him.
Juan grinned a little nervously. He was worried if he expressed his delight at seeing his father, he would become the public enemy among his siblings. Without any other option, he lowered his head to avoid looking at Evan.
Nicole was taken aback by the children’s reactions. She was tempted to ask if the man was actually their father or their enemy. They haven’t seen each other in a year! Just what grudge are they holding against him to treat him like that?
Sensing the tense atmosphere, John chatted with Evan briefly before excusing himself.
Nicole shifted uncomfortably at the awkward silence that surrounded them. She opened her mouth and said, “I’ve brought your four children back. However, what kind of a father are you? How could you not worry about letting them live with a stranger for a year!” She was clearly complaining on behalf of the kids.
Your four children. A stranger.
From these words, Evan could tell Nicole had not regained her memories.
Pinning her with a loving look, he expressed from the bottom of his heart, “Thank you for what you’ve done. It must have been hard!”
