Ellinor noticed that the child seemed a bit off. She crouched down to make eye contact with him and asked gently, âWhatâs wrong, honey?â
Tristan looked worried. âMommy, didnât you say you were going to ground me when we got home? Iâm scaredâ¦â
Ellinor was taken aback for a moment, then she burst out laughing.
Tristan was puzzled by Ellinorâs sudden laughter. He blinked his big, bright eyes, looking at her with confusion.
Despite not understanding why she was laughing, Tristan thought that Ellinorâs smile was beautiful, sweet, and adorable.
Ellinor picked up the child and gently cradled him. âSilly boy! Mommy was just upset. You really think Iâd punish you?â
Relieved, Tristan rested his head on Ellinorâs shoulder quietly.
He had thought that she would spank him for running around.
The little guy snuggled into Ellinor. âMommy, I wish I could stay with you forever and never leave.â
But he knew he would eventually have to go back to his dad.
Ellinor found his sentiment amusing and a little strange. She ruffled his hair. âSilly boy, of course you can always stay with Mommy. But once you get married, you might think Mommy is a nuisance.â
Tristan looked at her with a serious and determined expression. âI wonât get married. I donât like wives!â
Ellinor laughed at his naivety. âAre you sure? You might change your mind when you meet a girl you like.â
Tristan pouted and shook his head forcefully. âNo way!â
The little boy didnât quite understand what a wife was yet.
Veronica approached and lightly pinched Adrianâs nose. âYouâre going to grow up to be a mamaâs boy.â
Tristan didnât understand what a mamaâs boy was and tilted his head, looking puzzled.
Ellinor spoke to him seriously. âI hope what happened today wonât happen again. If you run off on your own, I will ignore you. Understand?â
Tristan nodded reluctantly as a mix of emotions appeared on his face. âI understand. It wonât happen again.â
Next time, it wouldnât be about running off. He would have to go back to his father.
Ellinor handed the child to Veronica, asking her to hold him.
She then ruffled Tristanâs hair and said, âAlright, go have something to eat with Auntie Veronica.â
Tristan obediently agreed. âOkay!â
Veronica, holding Adrian, turned to the other two children. âBaber, lead Layla with me. Letâs go have dinner.â
Baber responded and led his sister to follow their aunt.
After seeing Veronica and the children settle down at the dining table, Ellinor felt relieved. She didnât return to the couch; instead, she went upstairs to rest.
As much as she loved her three children, she had to admit that caring for kids was not an easy task, especially when you have three of them.
While Veronica was helping watch the kids, she could take a break.
At the Greenhaven Hotel.
Balfour checked into a presidential suite and sat on a couch, listening attentively to his subordinateâs report.
Quinton stood respectfully by his side. âMr. Howard, the suite across from us is where Sophia is staying, However, the hotel staff is tight-lipped and wonât disclose any information about the guests, I had to ask the cleaning staff on this floor. They told me that a family of three is staying there.â
A family of three?