"Hey, are you gonna hang with us?" Theresa asked Brandon with a surprised delight as he approached.
Brandon didn't say a word, just squatted down in front of her, gently stroked her hair, and quietly stared at her, his throat feeling choked up.
Theresa, picking up on his mood, hesitated before calling out, "Sir?"
Without speaking, Brandon suddenly leaned in and hugged her tiny frame tightly.
Sophia's nose tingled with the threat of tears, which she barely managed to hold back.
Turning her head slightly, she tilted her face up, fighting back the tears that filled her eyes.
She hadn't imagined they would reunite under such circumstances.
Held tight in the embrace, Theresa was a bit stunned and stood still without fussing, her eyes swirling with confusion as she looked towards Sophia.
When Sophia saw the confusion in Theresa's eyes, her throat tightened even more, leaving her unable to speak.
Without an answer, Theresa turned her attention to Brandon and asked softly, "Sir, what's wrong?"
"I..." Brandon's voice faltered at the word but he gently let her go, flashing her a smile, "I'm fine."
Theresa couldn't help but smile back at him, then excitedly pulled Sophia closer and introduced her with pride and formality, "Handsome Unkie, this is my mom."
Brandon looked up at Sophia without a word.
Sophia also cast her eyes downwards, remaining silent.
Theresa, not quite understanding, called out again, "Handsome Unkie?"
Brandon flashed her a smile and said, "Your mom is very beautiful."
Proudly nodding, Theresa replied, "Yeah, my mom is the prettiest mom ever."
Brandon just smiled at her, not responding further.
Theresa's curiosity returned to why he was at the airport, and she asked, "Sir, are you gonna join us for the fun?"
"Where are you headed to have fun?" Brandon asked softly.
Theresa shook her head a bit cluelessly, "To a fun place. We gotta take a big airplane."
She gestured towards the large airplanes outside the window as she spoke.
Following her gaze out the floor-to-ceiling windows, Brandon then turned back to her and softly proposed, "How about you don't go today, and wait for me to finish my work, then I'll take you out for fun, okay?"
Theresa was torn, unable to decide.
"Can I ask my mom?" she whispered, glancing involuntarily towards Sophia.
Brandon continued to look at her as he softly assured, "You mom will agree. It's all about what you want."
After a moment of thought, Theresa whispered, "If Mom doesn't go, I won't go."
Brandon smiled at her and gently stroked her hair, "Then shall we head back first?"
Theresa hesitated but then nodded, "Okay."
Brandon picked her up, glanced at Sophia who was silently looking down, steeled himself to look away, and walked off with Theresa in his arms.
Sophia's tears came flooding out, and she sobbed uncontrollably.
Theresa saw this and called out in panic, "Mom!"
Sophia didn't want Theresa to see her like this, but couldn't control her emotions and turned slightly away, using the back of her hand to cover her face, sniffing and trying to force the tears back, but they fell faster the more she tried. Despair nearly overwhelmed her.
Kent, looking on with concern, wanted to step forward but didn't dare, his worried gaze shifting back to Brandon.
Brandon's handsome face was set in a tight expression, holding Theresa without moving.
Susan, who hadn't received a response from Sophia over the phone, had hurried over and immediately noticed Brandon, expressionless and holding Theresa, which turned her face pale with worry. She glanced at Sophia with concern.
Sophia was still crying uncontrollably, gasping for breath.
Susan quickly stepped forward to support Sophia, looked at Brandon with things unsaid, and didn't dare to speak.
Brandon's aura was too cold and distant, and even Susan, normally brash and bold, felt a twinge of fear, her worried eyes turning to Theresa.
Theresa had never seen her mom cry like this and was also a bit panicked, whispering, "I want to go to my mom."
She struggled to get down from Brandon's arms.
Brandon held her tightly, not letting her struggle, and simply instructed Kent in a
calm voice, "Kent, take Ms. Yearwood back home."
Kent hesitated, looking from Brandon to Sophia, not daring to approach.