Having pointed out a few more things and shared a few insider’s tricks with Lori, Anastasia didn’t even notice that an hour had


    passed until she checked the time and saw that it was already 5.30 pm. She thereafter rose to have the kitchen prepare dinner,


    but just as she was about to invite Lori to stay, the girl shook her head and said she had to leave.


    “Thank you for the invitation, Anastasia, but | have something nned for tonight and | should go,’ Lori exined, gathering


    her things as she got off the couch


    “But it''s already sote, and Elliot will be home soon. Come on, stay for dinner,” Anastasia insisted..


    “It''s really so nice of you to offer, but | couldn’t impose, not tonight at least. Dinner’s on me next time, okay?” Lori said, politely


    but firmly turning Anastasia down.


    “In that case, I''ll see you some other day.” Anastasia walked with her out the door and to the car.


    Sliding into the driver''s seat, Lori gave her a small wave and said, “Thanks for today. I''ll see you around!”


    “Drive safe.” Returning the wave,


    Anastasia watched as the car pulled out of


    the porch and out the front gates.


    Presently, the vibrant sunset glow was cast over the garden, coating it in a warm golden hue.


    There were thoughts behind Anastasia’s clear, bright eyes as she stood outside. She did not go back into the living room.


    Instead, she nced at the watch on her wrist. Jared should be home by now.


    As expected, the fleet of cars escorting the little boy pulled up outside the house but


    did not drive in. Jared leaped out of one of the cars and dashed through the gates. He ran up to Anastasia when he saw her and


    asked happily, ‘Mommy, were you waiting for me?”


    “Yes, | was,” she answered with an affectionate smile.


    He beamed and held her hand while. eximing, “I love you so much.. Mommy!”


    ‘| love you, too.” She reached out to ruffle


    his hair, then led him into the house.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    When Jared got into the living room and saw the kitten darting back and forth on the couch, he quickly set his bag aside and


    began to y with the feline. The little furball had only grown cuter since they first got it.


    Allittleter into the evening, a ck Bugatti sports car drove and parked on the car porch. The soft purr of the car engine


    indicated that Elliot had returned.


    Anastasia was reading on the grassywn right outside the living room while Jared was ying with the cat. When she saw Elliot


    walking up to her with his silhouette outlined by the twilight glow, she set her book down and ran to meet


    him in the middle.


    She had missed him dearly after not seeing him for the whole day.


    Upon seeing her running his way, Elliot opened his arms and caught her just as she threw herself into his embrace like a child.


    He lifted her up by the waist and twirled her once, then set her back down. “Missed me?” he asked teasingly. There was a warm


    and gentle gleam in his eyes as he kissed her forehead indulgently.


    She nodded, smiling as she said, “I did.”


    “Daddy, | want a kiss too,” Jared demanded as he approached the loving couple with the kitten in his arms.


    Elliot let go of Anastasia and bent to pick up the little guy, then kissed him on the cheek lovingly. “Did you have fun at school


    today, Jared?”


    “You bet!” Jared replied with a firm nod.


    The kitten looked decidedly unhappy when it saw that everyone else had received Elliot’s affection. “Meow!”