The Unveiled Rose

I looked at Willow in surprise. Most kids these days did not enjoy studying, but Willow actually wanted to learn on her own.

She explained matter-of-factly, "I want to get ahead so I won't fall behind when I start elementary school."

"Of course," I supported her enthusiasm without hesitation. "I'll check the bookstore tomorrow for your textbooks."

Willow beamed happily and said, "Okay."

Zane seemed surprised when he heard that too. Just then, something occurred to him, so he got up and told Willow, "Come with me."

Though confused, Willow followed obediently. Zane then stopped on the third floor and opened a door.

Willow's eyes widened at the toys filling the room, and Zane's tone was unusually gentle. "I forgot to tell you that I bought these the other day."

He knelt down. "Now's a good time to enjoy them."

Willow was still astonished. "Are all of these for me?"

Zane simply replied, "Yes."

Overjoyed, she entered the room full of toys and picked up a box. "Wow!"

I watched from the doorway. She clearly loved the gifts. Her eyes were sparkling like she held precious treasures. The room echoed with her excited "wows".

My heart warmed at the sight. Children were so easily made happy. After looking around, she came back to us instead of opening anything.

I asked, "What is it?"

"I still need to exercise," Willow said, reluctantly looking away from the toys. "And since there are so many of them, could I open them with Penelope and play together?" "Of course!" I replied instantly.

Zane added, "I thought you might want that, so I bought doubles of everything."

Excited, Willow asked, "Can I call Penelope to come over now?"

"Sure," Zane said indulgently.

Willow immediately called Penelope and told her about Zane's presents before asking, "Do you want to come over and play together?"

"Of course I do!" Penelope's excitement was clear even through the phone, but then her tone dropped. "But I have to ask my mom if it's okay because she's tired from work. "It's okay if she doesn't want to go. I want to be a considerate daughter!"

Upon hearing that, Willow's mood instantly fell. Zane smiled and said, "We can send the driver to pick her up."

Willow quickly relayed this to Penelope, who asked Suzy, "Mommy, can I go to Willow's? Their driver will pick me up."

Happy her daughter had made a good friend, Suzy agreed, "No problem."

I planned to go with Willow to get Penelope. But Milton and Dorothy volunteered, saying they had nothing else to do. Hence, I stayed behind and watched them leave.

...novelbin

Steven parked near Zane's house before scanning for Zachary's car. Not finding it, he called Zachary. "Hello?"

Zachary asked coolly, "Is something wrong, Daddy?"

"Don't you usually come watch your mom near Zane's house? I don't see you today. Are you not here, or are you hiding from me?" He suspected Zachary was avoiding him. Zachary explained casually, "Daddy, don't you remember? I was hospitalized yesterday for stomach problems."