Chapter 470


    “Of course I do!”


    After returning home, Lilia became particrly excited and chatted non–stop about how she wanted to


    go to kindergarten and how much she missed her teacher.


    Davian and Irvin wore forced smiles. They already knew something had happened to their father.


    Although they didn’t. know the specifics, they were aware that it was something serious.


    However, in front of their little sister, they didn’t dare show it!


    “Mommy, when can I go to kindergarten?”


    Joanna lovingly stroked her daughter’s head. “Darling, you can go to kindergarten as soon as you fully


    recover from your


    illness.”


    “Oh, okay.”


    “Mommy, Christmas ising soon. Will Daddye back?”


    Joanna’s eyes filled with worry. It had been nine days since Bruce was taken away.


    Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, a day for family reunions.


    “Yes, he wille back, Joanna answered, trying to reassure her daughter.


    Lilia blinked her big eyes and coquettishly suggested, “Mommy, can I make a video call to Daddy?”


    “Daddy is busy with work and might not have time to answer your call,” Joanna replied, trying to


    manage her daughter’s expectations.


    “He’ll be back soon after he’s done with work.”


    “Oh- Lilia buried her head in her food again.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Davian and Irvin were also fiddling with the food in their bowls. Their faces were filled with worry and


    they didn’t have an appetite.


    Seeing this, Joanna urged them. “Hurry up and eat. You need to go to bed early after dinner.”


    “Yup!”


    The children quickly finished a few bites and obediently went back to their rooms to sleep.


    As the children went to bed, Joanna’s mind started to wander.


    She had been preupied with taking care of Lilia at the hospital and hadn’t had a chance to visit


    Bruce in the detention


    center.


    Tomorrow, he would be eligible for bail, and she had to go pick him up.


    The next day, Joanna arrived at the detention center early in the morning.


    Bruce’swyer had already arranged for his release on bail. He couldn’t leave the country during the


    appeal period and had to be avable for questioning by the police at any time.


    As he stepped out of the gates of the detention center, Bruce spotted Joanna waiting outside.


    Their


    eyes met, and a mixture of sadness and longing filled their gaze.


    They had not seen each other for more than ten days!


    Bruce appeared unchanged, except noticeably thinner.


    They silently locked eyes for almost a minute before Joanna snapped back to reality. “Let’s get in the


    car.”


    “Yup!”


    Bruce agreed, and they both got into the car. Bruce settled himselfzily in the seat, crossing his legs


    as if he had just returned from a short trip.


    Joanna sat beside him, and an ufortable silence settled between them as they drove.


    Halfway through the journey, unable to contain herself any longer, Joanna broke the silence. “Bruce,


    how are you? Are you doing okay in there?”


    Bruce raised an eyebrow, his gaze filled withplex emotions. “You don’t have to worry. Thewyer


    will handle everything.”


    “But I’m really worried,” Joanna admitted, her concern evident in her voice.


    “Worried about what? Worried that I’ll go to jail?” Bruce smirked, his eyes yfully fixed on Joanna. His


    “Did you miss me?”


    Joanna straightened up, trying to maintain a serious demeanor. “Can you stop fooling around? It’s not


    the time for jokes. Why are you in such a lighthearted mood?”


    “Really, don’t you miss me?” Bruce persisted, not letting up on his yful tone.


    “Stop it!” Joanna tried to push away his hand, feeling a mix of emotions.


    “I’m asking if you miss me. Just answer me, Bruce insisted, his eyes searching hers.


    Joanna’s eyes darted around, and she evasively replied, “The children miss you a lot.”


    “What about you?”


    Joanna didn’t speak, but her teary eyes spoke volumes.


    At a time like this, this damned man’s mind was still filled with such thoughts.


    Secing Joanna’s tears, Bruce’sughter subsided. “Why are you crying? I’m not dead. Why do you


    make that expression? Cry when I’m dead!” he said, his tone tinged with a mix of yfulness and


    vulnerability.


    The moment Joanna heard that, she covered his mouth reflexively. “No, you can’t say such a word?”


    “Why? Are you afraid I’ll die?”


    Joanna stared at him fixedly, her tears kept running down.


    Regardless of whether he was the children’s father, she didn’t want him to die, even if he were just an


    ordinary friend.


    “Don’t say such a grave word. It’s not as serious as you make it sound.” Joanna pleaded, her voice


    choked with emotion.


    “Oh, then why are you crying?” Bruce raised her chin, a more serious expression on his face.


    “I got something in my eye. Is that okay?”


    “You’re still pretending. You’re clearly worried about me but refuse to admit it,” Bruce remarked, his


    hand wrapping around her as he pulled her into a passionate kiss.


    “Ah… Don’t mess around…” Joanna instinctively tried to avoid him, but her resistance faded as they


    embraced.


    Bruce bit her lip gently. “Joanna, I want you to remember me, remember this feeling.”


    Joanna stopped struggling and melted into his arms, seeking sce in their connection. “Bruce, please


    don’t get into any trouble, okay?”


    Bruce put away his previous frivolity, and a hint of confusion appeared in his eyes as he gently stroked


    her back.


    The gravity of the situation seemed to have surpassed his expectations.


    He might indeed end up in jail, but he didn’t know the duration of his potential sentence.


    Thankfully, he had made preparations for the children and Joanna, ensuring their financial security


    even if he were incarcerated.


    Sherane Bay Vi, 40 minutester, they were home.


    When they got out of the car, Joanna subconsciously reminded Bruce, “I told my daughter that you


    went overseas for a business trip. Don’t let it slipter.”


    “Okay, got it.”


    At the entrance of the vi, the servants were expecting Bruce.


    Lilia’s stroller was pushed onto thewn, allowing her to enjoy the warmth of the sun.


    Seeing her daughter, Bruce’s mood immediately lifted. “Lilia, Daddy is back.”


    Lilia turned her head and saw her father. Her excitement knew no bounds as she tried to jump out of


    her stroller. “Daddy, I missed you so much. You finally came back.”


    Bruce quickly approached thewn. “Mhm, let Daddy see if my baby is all better now.”


    As he spoke, Bruce lifted Lilia with care by her armpits, raising her into the air.


    Lilia giggled joyfully. After her surgery, she had made a remarkable recovery and had be


    stronger.


    “Give Daddy a kiss!”


    “Kisses, kisses!” Lilia nted several kisses on her father’s face.


    *Daddy, are you still going on a business trip?”


    Bruce smiled indulgently. “Not for now!”


    “That’s great!” Lilia eximed.


    “Christmas ising soon. I want to prepare a gift for Daddy.”


    Bruce was momentarily taken aback. Time had flown by so quickly.


    Before they knew it, Christmas had arrived once again.


    After Christmas. New Year’s Day would soon follow. However, he didn’t know if he would be able to


    spend New Year’s Day with the children and Joanna at home.


    “Mhm, when it’s Christmas. Daddy will take you to the amusement park. How about that?”


    “Great! And Davin and Irvin and Mommy wille too,” Lilia eximed, thrilled by the idea.


    “Of course, we’ll go together as a family.”


    “Mhm!” Lilia vigorously eagerly, her eyes sparkling with joy.


    Even though Daddy loved her, he barely had the time to stay with her, let alone taking her to an


    amusement park, and therefore it was a rare treat.


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