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Dolores looked down and saw the âpigeon eggâ in her daughterâs hand.
She was in a hurry to leave and left it on the bed in her room. Simona went upstairs to look for it and instead of finding it, she saw something shiny on the bed.
Simona loved the sparkling diamond. She didnât know what it was worth and just thought it looked like fun.
Dolores didnât know what to do. She looked back at Matthew and asked his opinion.
This was no ordinary toy, and she couldnât make the decision.
Besides, how could it be a toy?
Matthew, however, thought it was no big deal. Anyway, Dolores didnât like it, and he was glad Simona liked it.
He stroked his daughterâs hair affectionately, âYou like it?â
Simona nodded earnestly, âYes. Itâs so shiny. Iâve never seen such a shiny stone. Dad, Mom, where did they take it from?â. She wanted to take one too.
It was so pretty.
And the girls loved pink and shiny things.
Dolores was speechless.
A stone?
gαâηÏνððsâ¤com, where the best stories live She squatted down to Simonaâs eye level and patiently showed her, âSimona, this is not an ordinary stone and you canât pick it up, itâs very rare. You canât take it outside. I will keep it for you. When you grow up, Iâll give it to you again, okay?â
It would be more than valuable if he took it outside and then let greedy people see it and invite disaster.
Simona didnât understand what her mother meant, and she had just learned that this stone seemed to be somewhat valuable.
She looked at the âpigeon eggâ. It was really shiny.
She liked it a lot.
Dolores could see that Simona didnât want to give it to her. Iâm not saying she wonât give it to you, but itâs worth a lot of money. If you take it outside and someone bad sees it, theyâll steal it.â
Simona seemed to be able to imagine someone stealing it already, so she held the diamond tightly in her arms.
It moved in an exaggerated way that made Dolores want to laugh and cry at the same time.
How had she never realized that Simona liked shiny things so much! âThen you canât wear it outside, okay?â There was definitely no way Simona would give her the diamond now. She would keep it for herself when her interest wasnât so strong.
However, Simona hesitated. Doloresâ comment about stealing struck a chord with her. If the stone was taken from her, she would lose it forever.
Although she was very reluctant, she handed it to Dolores: âMommy, keep it for me. When I grow up, you can give it back to me.â
Dolores pinched her cheeks, âOkay, my good girl.â Dolores smiled, showing her row of white teeth.
âMr. Nelson, maâam,â Coral approached, âThe master has asked you to come to the studio.â
Dolores asked Simona to knock and turned her head to look at Matthew.
Their eyes met and Matthew said softly, âI see.â
Dolores was a little apprehensive. Jayden was supposed to call them for something and she didnât know if it was good or bad. Matthew shook her shoulder, âGotcha.â Then she became slightly quiet.
Walking to the study door, Matthew looked up and knocked on the door. A voice came from inside before he pushed the door and Dolores entered.
Jayden was alone in the studio as he practiced his calligraphy. When he saw them enter, he put the brush down in his hand and told them to sit down.
âThe two children are almost school age, what are your plans?â In fact, Jayden wanted to ask them why they didnât let the two children go to kindergarten first so they could familiarize themselves with the learning environment. But when he thought about how uncomfortable it must be for Dolores to care for the two children alone for so many years, he didnât ask.
After this year, they would turn six, and in the second half of the year they would be ready to start elementary school. She thought they could go to kindergarten and become familiar with the school environment.
âIâve already made the arrangements.â Matthew had thought about it and had arranged it years ago.
Dolores looked at him-how had she not heard him say that?
He hadnât had much of a chance to talk to her during the New Yearâs days, and he had wanted to talk to her today. However, he hadnât had a chance to tell her again because of the Jessica thing.
âWhat?â asked Jayden hesitantly.
In terms of education and environment, this kindergarten was the best. The WY Group had invested in it and he trusted the teachers. Besides, he could be sure that his two grandchildren were in it.
As the saying went, âgrandfather and grandchildren are closer to each otherâ. Perhaps there was a reason for that. He was more concerned about the two children than he was about Matthew as a little boy.
Matthew nodded.
Jayden said, âYou guys go ahead and do your thing. Weâll take care of the two boys from now on.â
He knew Matthew was busy, and Dolores seemed to have her own career. He and Victoria would be the caretakers of the children in the future.
The reason Victoria didnât show up at the studio was that she feared Matthew wouldnât want to.
In fact, in this period living here, Matthew did not treat Victoria as coldly as he had before, except for not speaking to her.
He had been reluctant to let her go just for Jolene.
Dolores was willing to do what they wanted. She didnât know the country yet and was comfortable with Matthewâs arrangements.
They were in agreement, so the conversation was pleasant enough. After all, they had the same goal and both wanted the best for the children.
After the talk, Matthew and Dolores left the studio. As they were about to go upstairs, they rang the doorbell.
Coral opened the door and Armand stood staggering in the doorway. He wore a thin suit without a coat and smelled of alcohol.
Coral knew him and knew of his relationship with Matthew. He turned his head, âMr. Nelson, itâs Mr. Bernie. He looks like heâs drunk.â Matthew frowned, what was he doing here drunk?
âDolores, Doloresâ¦â Armand shouted against the door frame.
Dolores walked over and saw his face. He looked like heâd had a lot to drink.
Matthew gave her a disgusted look, âCome in.â
Coral helped him sit on the couch in the living room.
Dolores went to the kitchen to prepare a cup of honey water and handed it to him, âDrink some honey water to clear your head.â
Armand smiled, âThank you, Dolores.â Then he took the cup and finished it in one gulp.
He handed it to Dolores, âCan I have another?â.
Dolores took it and went to pour him another glass. This time, he didnât finish it.
âTell me, what got you into this mess?â Dolores took a seat next to Matthew.
Armand looked at Dolores with resignation, âDolores, you have to help me. Theresa doesnât love me anymore.â
On New Yearâs Eve, Theresa showed up in the living room and stayed late with him and the old woman, who was in good spirits.
But for the last two days, he couldnât reach Theresa. She wouldnât see him and even avoided him.
Dolores frowned, âDid they have a fight?â
She wasnât worried about Armand, she was worried about Theresa.
When it came to relationships, women were more delicate and vulnerable.
At this point, she had to tell the truth: âI had an ex-girlfriend, right? She came back, and we saw each other a couple of timesâ¦â With that, he hastened to explain, âWe just saw each other, and nothing else happened. But Theresa didnât believe me and had to break up with me.â
No matter who was right and who was wrong in this matter, she was on Theresaâs side.
Armand and Theresa were already together-why would he go to his ex-girlfriend?
âDo you still have feelings for your ex-girlfriend?â
âNo.â
âNo, then why did you go to see her?â
At Doloresâ sharp questioning, Armand was speechless. It took him a while to find the right explanation, âAlthough we are no longer lovers, we are still friendsâ¦â
âI canât help you.â Dolores interrupted him decisively. Having spent so many years with Theresa, she knew about her, âItâs not unreasonable. You must have passed her limit, otherwise, she wouldnât be so determined. Since she agreed to marry you, she must have had expectations. And if she decided to break up with you, it must have been because you broke her heart.â
âYes, itâs my fault,â Armand admitted that he was to blame. He shouldnât have gone to Phoebe without telling her, but he shouldnât have denied her even the chance to explain, should he?
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