Chapter 371


    Ronan''s words calmed me down. I found myself smiling at the thought of my father being a crafty old


    fox.


    Turning to Ronan, I murmured, "You better head back. I''m going home."


    He climbed the steps and watched me walk away. I didn''t look back—I simply couldn''t.


    However, when I eventually did nce back, Hannah was missing from the scene. She must have


    slipped away earlier to evade the unfolding drama! As I stepped out of the hall, there she was, lounging


    in the foyer''s courtyard, staring at a faux rockery.


    "Let''s go!" I called out.


    She scampered over, her head cocked curiously, "All done with Ronan?"


    "What''s there to be done?" I scoffed.


    Hannah snorted withughter, "You’re such a great actress. Someone''s been worrying sick over you,


    and here you are, cool as a cucumber. I''m impressed!"


    "Cool? I won''t be cool until Jan is knocked down a peg or two! No time for anything else," I said with


    such conviction I almost inspired myself.


    Hannah looked at me, clearly not believing every word.


    "I mean it! This revenge will not go unrewarded. If I had time to think about anything else, I''d be


    seriously cking off. I''ve got too much pride for that," I stated.


    "I get it!" Hannah looked convinced. Her infectious grin spread across her face, and she nodded


    eagerly, "I believe you! Totally!"


    I gave her a sidelong nce. "If you believe me, cut the jokes. And besides, Ronan''s now Bet, a


    high-flying bachelor, with women falling over themselves for him. I''ve had my turn in the love merry-go-


    round, and I''m still tripping over my own feet. How could I hog such a prime catch?"


    Hannah nearly doubled over withughter at my words.


    I wanted to tease her about her embrace with Larkin the previous night, but I stopped myself.


    I realized it would be best not to provide her with additional fodder to yfully torment me about Ronan,


    as this could spin off into a web of misunderstandings and potentially paint me as an indecent person in


    her perception. Back home, Jan wasn’t in the living room, while Mom and Helga were ying with


    little Carl.


    After a brief search, I found Gemma slicing fruit in the kitchen.


    Carl lit up at my entrance, toddling over with arms wide open. His little eyes squinted with joy,


    "Mommy!"


    I scooped him up, feeling the familiar strain. Carl had be a chunky little butterball.


    I kissed his cheek and asked, "Why aren''t you asleep yet, kiddo?"


    He responded with a slobbery kiss of his own.


    He was content, sweetly cooing, " I was waiting for Mommy!"


    His cuteness melted my heart, almost making me lose track of everything.


    With a napkin, I wiped away his drool. "Look at you. Are you learning to charm Mommy? You''re getting


    good at this!"


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    As I cleaned him up, I joked, "Your drool''s like spaghetti! Your siblings never did this. Look at you!"


    Mom chimed in, "He''s the only one of the three who drools like that!"


    Carl giggled, trying to dodge my hand, "Not spaghetti. It''s baby water!"


    He was so adorable!


    I picked him up in a hug, and kissed him whileughing. He squealed with excitement too!


    Hannah nced at her and quipped, "Wow, then your son must be a genius!"


    Gemma wasn''t fazed as she sat down. "Come on, have some fruit. Carl is a smart little guy!"


    Her constant praising of Carl was enough to give anyone goosebumps. New ch?pter av?ble o?


    Draмаnоvеls.cоm


    "Gemma, does your boy have kids of his own?" I asked casually while ying with Carl.


    "How many sons do you have, Gemma?" I inquired absentmindedly.


    "Just the one, and he''s trouble enough," she replied with ease.