Chapter 162


    The moment the topic of children came up, Peterson instantly regretted it. But the words were out of his


    mouth and he was clueless how to deal with it, so he just looked at Seraphina silently.


    Seraphina’s face was calm. After a while, she let out a gentleugh. “Before you said those words, I


    thought you didn’t give a damn”


    Back then, Peterson was head over heels for her, pursuing her like a man possessed Seraphina, on


    the other hand, couldn’t care less about him, going out of her way to avoid him. Just when Peterson


    was on the verge of giving up, he stumbled upon Betty


    After finding out about Betty, Peterson went MIA for a couple of days. When he showed up again, he


    pursued Seraphina even harder than before.


    She was in her early twenties then, juggling her studies while taking care of Betty. Life was tough but


    Peterson came along.


    He truly cherished Betty, being very patient and attentive, always finding ways to make her happy.


    Betty was fond of him, but Peterson was only present in her short life for six months.


    Half a yearter, Betty passed away. Peterson then shifted all his attention to Seraphina, spoiling her


    as he did Betty.


    So Seraphina thought, he really didn’t care.


    But his nonchnt fa?ade couldn’t hide his genuine concern for her.


    “Sera, I… Peterson wanted to exin, but he was at a loss for words.


    “So in your eyes, while courting me, children are tools for you to use, and when you’re angry, children


    are your weapons against me, Seraphina said, looking at him “Such a straightforward love.”


    Peterson suddenly reached out to grab her, his voice hoarse, “You know I genuinely loved Betty!”


    Seraphina forcefully shook off his hand, her eyes growing cold, “Are you done?”


    Peterson looked at her, took a long pause before finally saying. “Sera, I’m sorry.”


    Seraphina didn’t respond, she got up and was about to leave


    Peterson quickly got up and moved in front of her, wrapping her tightly in his arms from behind.


    “Sera, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I know you’re mad at me, ming me… but you know how much I care


    about you…” Peterson’s head buried in the crook of her neck, his voice low and husky, “Can you give


    me some time? Once I sort my family issues, we can go back to how we were…


    Seraphina was looking at the sky outside the window, let out a soft sigh, “Peterson, if you had told me


    all this before you started with Ms. Whitman, I might have said yes. But now, do you really think it’s


    possible?”


    That night, when Leandro got back to the apartment, Seraphina was on the living room floor helping


    Valerio with his arts and crafts homework.


    Hearing the door, Seraphina looked up at him and said with a smile, “Mr. Reynolds, you’re back early


    today”


    She then went back to her task while Leandro walked to the couch, his gaze resting on Seraphina’s


    calm profile for a long time.


    Until Seraphina looked up at him again, “Mr. Reynolds, this is your son’s homework. Aren’t you going to


    help?”


    Leandro finally looked from Seraphina to the scattered cardboard on the floor. The project was a DIY


    storage cab with drawers, a task seemingly beyond both Seraphina’s and Valerio’s abilities.


    Slipping off his suit jacket and rolling up his sleeves, Leandro stepped in. With his assistance, the


    assembly progressed with ease, and the cab nearedpletion. Seraphina simply watched, not


    contributing, while Valerio eagerly assisted, handing tools to Leandro as needed.


    Leandro worked on the cab in silence, only looking up at Valerio when it was finished, “Done.”


    Valerio was ecstatic, showing a rare genuine smile, circling the cab time and again, showing the


    flexible drawer to Seraphina.


    “Alright, alright, I know you’re brilliant” Seraphina reached out to pinch his face, “You’re so smart.”


    Leandro looked at Seraphina again


    This time, Seraphina noticed and met his gaze, “Mr. Reynolds, do you have something to say?”


    His eyes were deep, whether filled with too many emotions or devoid of any, Seraphina couldn’t tell.


    She just had a feeling that Leandro wasn’t in a good mood today


    Leandro didn’t answer her, and Seraphina wasn’t interested in pressing further, she patted Valerio’s


    butt, “Alright, time for bath and bed now that your homework’s done. I’m too tired to y with you


    anymore.”


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    With that, she got up and led Valerio upstairs


    Leandro sat on the couch, lit a cigarette, watching silently as Seraphina led Valerio upstairs.


    After putting Valerio to bed, Seraphina didn’te back downstairs, she went straight to her room and


    fell fast asleep.


    She had been worried about Conway’s health recently and hadn’t been sleeping well, but tonight, she


    fell asleep quickly.


    In her dreams, it was as if she was back in Starhaven, in her first apartment in Velvetwood.


    The apartment was found by Sandra, so it was quite spacious. Therge living room was divided into


    several areas – a seldom used entertainment area, her study and office area, and arge children’s


    y area.


    She saw herself sitting in front of theputer busy writing her thesis, while behind her, in the


    cordoned off children’s y area, Betty seemed to have grown tired of her toys. She crawled up from


    the ground, walked to the fence, stood on her tiptoes and called out, “Mama“”


    She turned around to see the little girl pouting and acting all cute, “Hold me-”


    With a helpless smile, she stood up and walked to the fence. She bent down to pick her up, but all she


    got was air. Seraphina suddenly woke up. When she opened her eyes, she realized she had slept


    without even turning off the lights. The digital clock by the bed showed it was midnight, but she didn’t


    feel sleepy anymore. Slowly, she sat up


    When Leandro heard the sound of doors opening and closing in the corridor, the cigarette in his hand


    was half smoked.


    He sat by the floor–to–ceiling window in his study, not moving an inch.


    The sky was clear, and the night outside the window was unusually full of stars. But each star seemed


    dull and lifeless. Not until his cigarette had burned to the end did he throw the butt into the ashtray and


    stood up to leave the room.


    Downstairs, only the floor lights were on. In the dim light, Seraphina sat alone at the bar. In front of her


    was a ss, and next to it were three or four opened bottles of booze.