Justin was halfway through munching on his cucumber when he suddenly saw Josie stride straight into Dexterâs room. The door was promptly shut behind her with a resounding slam.
He tiptoed forward briskly, pressing his ear against the door to listen. Just as he leaned in, Moses grabbed his arm and pulled him away. âDonât be so nosy.â
âYou!â
Inside the room, Josie had isolated themselves from everyone else. She stared at Dexter. âIâll say it again, this is my daughter. No matter what reason you give, I wonât agree.â
In the huge bedroom, only a few wall lamps were lit. Dexter remained calm and composed. âIâve never competed with you for anything. Today, she just wanted to sleep with me, why must you object?â
In truth, Josie could empathize with Grapeâs request. Seeing the latter cry, her heart was on the verge of breaking too. However, under the current circumstances, she couldnât let Grape feel that Dexter would always back her up.
âIf I agree to this now, would you also be able to give her Russell Group and the Russell family assets in the future?â
Itâs merely a hundred days. What would I do if Grace grows dependent on him and he leaves again? Iâm doing this for Grapeâs own good.
Dexter responded swiftly, âShe is my daughter. Why wouldnât I give them to her?â
His blunt reply left Josie speechless. She raised an eyebrow, seemingly taken aback.
Grape couldnât understand the adultsâ conversation. At that moment, she slid down from Dexter, carefully took Josieâs hand, and whispered, âMommy, donât be angry. I wonât sleep with Daddy anymoreâ¦â
Yet, the teardrops hanging from her long eyelashes accentuated her pitiful look.
Josie was filled with complex emotions. She crouched down, intending to explain the situation to Grape but was interrupted by Dexter. âYou stay here,â he said. âIâll sleep on the couch. Donât make it hard for her.â
The words Josie wanted to say were once again stuck in her throat. She exchanged a glance with Dexter, then looked at Grape. In the end, she just furrowed her brows and sighed. âFine.â
Dexter pulled out a blanket from the wardrobe, casually arranging it on the couch. He gently reassured Grape, âIâll be right here. Iâm not going anywhere. Once you wake up, youâll be able to see me, okay?â
Grape was finally satisfied. âOkayâ
With her mood improving, she took Josieâs hand and then Dexterâs hand, bringing them together. âDaddy, Mommy, please stop arguing. I donât like it,â she pleaded.
Josie was filled with remorse, but every time she saw Dexter, she felt insecure. âIâm sorry. I was wrong.â
âCan you two make up then?â
The two exchanged a glance.
Dexter had never been one to be obstinate, leaving Josie with no choice but to compromise. âAlright.â
âThen you two should hold hands and make a pinky promise. No more fighting from now on!â This was something Grape had learned from other children.
She forcefully placed their hands together. Dexter was the first to hook his pinky finger, looking at Josie as he slowly said, âPinky promise.â
Josie was reluctant. Nevertheless, after a momentary struggle, she linked her finger with his. âPinky promise.â
Grape cheered in an adorable voice, âYou make a pinky promise, you keep it for one hundred years! You break a pinky promise, youâll become a pig!â
The two of them lightly swung their linked hands in the air, and in the end, were even compelled to press their palms against each other.
For a hundred years. Josie smiled, but it was hard to tell if it was out of amusement or sarcasm. Itâs indeed laughable. Where on earth did the idea of a hundred years come from?
Dexter gazed at her, seemingly discerning her thoughts, his eyes slightly lowered.
That night, Josie slept on Dexterâs bed, with Grape beside her. Dexter curled his towering figure up on the sofa, looking somewhat comical.
Except for the child, no one else managed to sleep. The moonlight spilled over Dexterâs body. His eyes were closed, and then suddenly, he spoke.
âWhen did you realize you were pregnant?â