Rena ascended the stairs, her steps quick but careful. A soft-spoken servant showed her the way. “Mr. Fowler and Miss Lexi are upstairs.”


    With bated breath, Rena pushed the door to Alexis’ room open, her eyes widening at the sight before her.


    Alexis, hidden within the depths of her pink wardrobe, clutched her teddy bear tightly, her voice lost in the depths of silence.


    Waylen, dressed impably in a formal suit, sat beside her, stooping low within the cramped space. In his hands, he held a worn fairy tale book, reading the familiar stories to Alexis with unwavering devotion.


    Upon Rena’s entrance, Waylen’s gaze briefly flickered in her direction, his focus soon returning to the pages of the book, resuming the tales he had read countless times before.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    This poignant scene struck Rena to her core.


    In that moment, she fullyprehended the immense sacrifices Waylen had made for Alexis over the years.


    No amount of past conflicts could diminish the magnitude of his love and devotion. Rena, as Alexis’ mother, couldn’t bear to watch her daughter suffer silently. She couldn’t ignore the responsibilities that came with motherhood any longer.


    Otherwise, she would be too selfish.


    Approaching with gentle steps, Rena removed her shoes, her voice soft as a whisper. “The wardrobe is quite small. Let me do this.”


    Waylen nced at her, his eyes revealing a mixture of relief and gratitude.


    Without a word, he handed the well-worn fairy tale book to Rena and quietly stepped out of the wardrobe, allowing Rena to take his ce beside Alexis.


    Rena settled herself beside Alexis, her voice quivering with emotion as she leaned in to kiss her daughter before beginning to read the fairy tales.


    Every word she spoke carried a heartfelt weight, her love and concern evident in every inflection. The presence of her mother brought sce to Alexis’ troubled soul.


    Meanwhile, Waylen stood outside the room, leaning against the corridor wall. He lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around him in wisps. Taking a deep drag, he realized that he didn’t need to face these challenges alone anymore.


    Rena’s arrival had reminded him of just how much he needed her by his side.


    It was then that Waylen fullyprehended that Rena had been his emotional anchor throughout the years.


    And while Alexis was their shared responsibility, his love for them both ran deep, transcending the boundaries of time and space.


    As the clock struck nine in the evening, Alexis finally stepped out of the wardrobe, her appetite restored.


    She devoured herte dinner, savoring each bite with a newfound contentment.


    Today, Rena had showered Alexis with extra love and attention, personally bathing her, drying her hair, and even sharing a bedtime story. Aware that Rena would be staying the night, Alexis drifted off to sleep with a smile adorning her face.


    Rena dimmed the bedsidemp, Leaving Alexis to rest peacefully.


    Silently, she slipped out of the room, her footsteps carrying her to Waylen. She found him in his study, sitting in quiet solitude amidst the dimly lit room, his usual cigarette absent from his hand.


    “Waylen,” Rena called out softly, her voice breaking the silence.