When I get rich, Iâll build a castle like this one too. It doesnât have to be too big as long as it fits me and my kids.
This is only my first day here, but Iâm already missing the kids.
She clicked on her WhatsApp to video call her kids.
Because of the time difference, the kids were having their breakfast when they received the call.
They squeezed to fit their faces inside the screen after accepting their mommyâs call.
âMommy!â
âMommy!â
âMommy, I miss you.â
âMommy, I-Iâm eating.â
Nicole gazed at them affectionately before asking what they were having for breakfast.
Nina was about to reply when Juan stopped her.
âMommy, Maya should reply to this question,â he said.
Nina giggled. âYes, Mommy. Ms. Patty told us to recite a rhyme. Maya has memorized it well. Come on, Maya!â
Maya rolled her eyes at Nina but said nothing.
Nicole thought Maya had forgotten everything and consoled her. âItâs alright, Maya. Ask your brother and sister to teach you. I believe youâll learn it soon enough.â
âI have learned it! I donât need them to teach me!â Maya huffed.
âOkay, go on. Recite the rhyme then.â
Nina is laughing at me again!
Fine, let me recite it. Iâm not afraid, hmph!
Maya glared at Nina before reciting, âBaa, baa, black sheep, have you any food? Yes sir, yes sir, three plates full. One plate of chips, one plate of ribs. And cheese for the little boy who lives down the lane.â
The other three kids exchanged glances before bursting out into laughter.
âMommy, did you hear that? Maya recited that rhyme in class.â
âMs. Patty scolded her in class.â
Maya lowered her head and fell silent.
Through the screen, Nicole patted Mayaâs adorable cheek and comforted her. âMaya, Iâll teach you when I come home, alright?â
She nodded fervently.
âMaya, are you craving fried chicken? Iâll ask the chef to prepare some for lunch.â
âGrandma, Maya is reciting a rhyme.â
âRhyme? I thought she was reciting a recipe.â
Maya rolled her eyes. I can also recite a recipe!
âGrandma, that was a rhyme. I will recite a recipe tomorrow.â
âOkay. Maya, good job!â
Upon hearing Maya and Sophiaâs conversation, Nicole smiled at the other end.
âHurry and finish your breakfast. Mommy will hang up now.â
âBye, Mommy.â
âBye-bye, Mommy.â
âMommy, come back soon.â
âMommy, Iâll recite rhymes and recipes when you come back!â
âOkay.â
After hanging up, the smile on Nicoleâs face remained.
The kids have inherited the good genes from Evan and me.
When I return, Iâll spend more time with them. After all, they are my kids.
But my dad abandoned mom and me.
âMom, who was that heartless man? Is he a lowly servant of the Musgrave family?â
Frowning, she dismissed that thought right away. After all, a lowly servant wouldnât have ended up in Y City.
It must be someone who was in charge of diplomatic relations, she decided.
In the meantime, Levant strode out of Stephenâs study, his face was gloomy.
Stephenâs health was deteriorating each day, but he refused to pass on his title to Levant. I know what heâs thinking.
When you find the truth, itâ will be too late. Both Nicole and the title will be mine!
A conniving glint flashed in his gaze as he made his way to Nicoleâs room.
She was gathering her thoughts with her eyes shut. Then, she rose to her feet when someone knocked on the door.
âLevant? I thought you went to meet Sir Musgrave?â
âYes, but heâs feeling under the weather. Heâll see you later.â
As Stephen seemed unwell, Levant didnât mention Nicole at all.
He thought he should inform his father only after Nicole and he became inseparable.
By then, even if Stephen found out who she really was, it wouldnât matter anymore.
After all, she belonged to him.