Chapter 167
At the Kindergarten.
“Milo, your mom and dad haven’t picked you up yet?” The other kids had trickled out one by one.
“Milo’s dad doesn’t want him anymore.” A group of kids huddled together, spreading rumors that Milo’s dad had abandoned him.
“That’s not true!” Milo, in his little denim overalls, glared at them with puffed cheeks. “Don’t make stuff up. My dad loves me a lot.”
But Milo was lying.
His dad didn’t like him at all.
“You’re the liar. My mom said Milo is the kid no grown–up likes. Your dad doesn’t like mom and he doesn’t like you either,” the ringleader stuck out his tongue at Milo.
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Milo reddened his eyes as he lunged to fight with the kids.
But the other kid was taller, Milo, a little kiddo, couldn’t win.
your
“Milo, your dad doesn’t want you! Nobody is coming for you,” the bully taunted as no one. came to pick up Milo.
“My mom is running late.” Milo was pushed over and sat on the ground, bursting into
tears.
The ringleader picked up a stone to throw at Milo.
Milo was terrified, curling up. But then he saw Summer who had been quietly sitting in a corner making clay figures. Summer flung a lump of clay that hit the bully square on the forehead.
The bully was smeared with clay and started crying.
Milo, snotty and sobbing, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of his tormentor looking so ridiculous.
Summer was so cool he thought.
Summer was serious as he stared down the bullies. “You’re so noisy.”
“Summer, you’re an orphan,” the ringleader ran off crying.
“Summer is not an orphan. He’s my uncle’s kid,” Milo stood up with a huff, hands on hips, defiance written all over his face.
The kids scattered, leaving only Milo and Summer in the classroom.
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Summer! Summer! Milo bounded over to Summer, shouting.
You’re so loud, Summer frowned, putting down the lump of clay.
Milo stood timidly in front of him. “You look just like Uncle Rhett when you’re mad.”
“Of course, he is my dad,” Summer said with a hint of pride.
Milo sat down beside him. “How do you make those clay figures? Can you teach me, please?”
Summer didn’t want to engage. “You’re noisy.”
Since Rhett had scolded him, Milo didn’t dare to bully Summer anymore or beat Summer
anyway.
Today, Summer had helped him, so he liked Summer even more.
Friendship among little kids was just that simple.
“Summer, your dad’s here to pick you up!” the teacher called from the doorway.
Summer paused. Dad? Was it Rhett?
Grabbing the clay figures, Summer ran out excitedly.
He had made a figure of his parents and himself.
“Slow down.”
At the school gate, Rhett reached out for Summer.
Summer jumped into Rhett’s arms. “Daddy…”
Rhett lifted Summer, feeling a bit guilty. “Sorry I’m late, there was traffic.”
It was late. Only Summer and Milo’s parents hadn’t arrived yet.
Summer lay happily on Rhett’s shoulder, not blaming him at all. “Daddy, are we going
home?”
“Yes,” Rhett murmured, his gaze shifting away. He wanted to sneak a strand of Summer’s hair for a paternity test.
Summer nodded eagerly. “Okay!”
He peeked at Milo hiding behind the door and fell silent
for him.”
“Daddy, Milo’s parents didn’t come
Rhett stopped and turned to see a timid little head poking out from behind the door.
His expression darkened, and he checked the time.
At this hour, even if Eve couldn’t come, were Caleb and the butler just for show?
He called Eve, but no one answered.
Annoyed, Rhett called the FitzGerald family’s housekeeper.
Mr. Rhett, Ms. Eve drank too much.”
“Has she abandoned her child?” Rhett’s voice was low.
“Ah? Ms. Eve called Mr. Caleb. Didn’t he come to pick him up?”
Rhett hung up, fuming. Was Caleb dead, not picking up his kid?
Summer watched Rhett, hearing the voice on the phone, and glanced back at Milo.
So Milo’s dad really didn’t want him.
“Daddy, can we take him home?” Summer asked softly.
“Don’t you dislike him?” Rhett ruffled Summer’s hair, secretly snagging a few strands.
Summer hissed but didn’t dare to complain because it was his dad.
Recently, it was strange. Everyone seemed to want his hair.
“I don’t dislike him, he’s just naughty.” Summer leaned on Rhett and spoke again. “But if he changes, I can forgive him.”
Rhett glanced at Milo. “Milo, let’s go, we’re heading home.”
Milo shone his eyes as he peeked out and dashed over.
“Uncle Rhett, are you taking me to your house?” Milo asked quietly.
“I don’t want to,” Rhett was quite disdainful of Milo.
Milo looked down, dejected.
“But Summer invited you,” Rhett added.
Milo brightened his eyes again, gazing eagerly at Summer.
Summer handed the clay figure to Milo. “I’ll show you how to make them.”
“Okay.”
The two little ones hopped into the car, chattering excitedly.
Rhett waved to the teachers and took the two kids away.
Bringing Summer home, Granger was already waiting.
“Summer, go play in the yard with Milo.”
Summer took Milo by the hand, and the two ran off happily.
“Here’s Summer’s hair,” Rhett handed the sample to his friend. “Keep it secret, and be
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thorough
Granger replied, “I got it.”
¿This one’s mine,” Rhett said as he handed over his hair sample, his insistence clear in his voice. This needs to stay under wraps, got it?”
“Rhett, when did you become such a nag? I’ll handle it personally, head to the lab right now, and have your results in three hours, okay?” Granger said, his face a mix of exasperation and amusement.
“Is your lab up to snuff?” Rhett asked, his eyes scanning for any hint of uncertainty.
“Are you kidding me? You think someone’s out to get you?” Granger was taken aback. “Seriously, what’s so special about this kid?”
“Just make sure it stays secret,” Rhett said, his mind obviously elsewhere.
“Man, this isn’t like you at all. What are you afraid of?” Granger couldn’t help but laugh. He had known Rhett since childhood and had never seen him this worked up. “Are you for real? Which dame has got you so twisted up that you ended up with a kid this big secretly?”
“My wife,” Rhett shot back, smacking Granger on the forehead. “Just get on with it and let’s talk when you have the results.”
Granger mumbled, his words tripping over his shock.
Thinking Rhett would acknowledge a woman like that was nothing short of a miracle.
What kind of woman could she be?
“It’s late. How about letting me crash for dinner? Is your wife gonna be home soon?” Granger spun around, his curiosity getting the better of him as he thought about sticking around.
“Beat it, I’m in a rush here,” Rhett warned him, pushing for those results.
“Alright! Wait for my call.” Granger conceded as he headed out, his mind still reeling with
the revelations.
