Chapter 538

From the sea of faces, Jeffrey finally spotted Karen, who was decked out in her full armor of

eccentricity. She was simultaneously wiping away tears and grinning ear–to–ear, laughing as if she

didn’t have a care in the world while chatting on the phone and confessing that her tears were from

missing him so much.

The anger Jeffrey had been trying to suppress flared up again in an instant. But after taking a few

determined strides toward her, he stopped.

What was he doing to himself?

She’d rejected him so clearly. Was he really going to stick around for another slap in the face? It was

obvious she had a boyfriend, one she was living with, no less. They were even planning to visit Karen’s

folks the next day. Where did he fit into the picture?

Jeffrey’s lips twitched, and he ran his tongue over the inside of his cheek.

Right, he was just a fancy piece of fruit. Damn fancy fruit!

At the arrivals gate, Kenneth waved frantically upon spotting Karen.

On either side of him, both Abigail and Langston tugged at his pants. “Kenneth, pick me up! I wanna

see too!”

Without a choice, since favoritism wasn’t an option, he hoisted them up, one on each arm.

Karen, luggage in tow, briskly walked toward them and covered both kids: faces with kisses.

“Oh, my darlings, I’ve missed you to death! Goodness gracious!”

“Aunt Karen!” Abigail leaned in, angling for a hug.

Langston, however, was having none of it. He wiped off the saliva left on his cheek from her kisses and

pouted, “Aunt Karen, I’m a boy and you’re a girl. You can’t just kiss me like that.”

“I’ll kiss you if I want to!”

Kenneth set Langston down on Karen’s suitcase and towed it along, speaking with gentle concern,

“Lying down on the plane for so long must be tiring, right? You should stretch a bit.”

“Not at all! Slept like a log” Karen said with a squint and a smile, choosing not to mention the incident

with Jeffrey.

“That’s good. What do you feel like eating? It’s my treat.”

Kenneth was always so kind and gentle. He ran his hand through Karen’s hair, listening as she fiddled

with her fingers, debating between wanting a fondue or craving sauerkraut fish.

As they neared his car, Kenneth suddenly asked, “Did you call Dorothy to let her know you’re safe?”

“Oh, shoot! I forgot. I’ll call her now,” Karen said as she reached for her phone.

Then Kenneth said, “I’ll do it. You go ahead and get in the car with the kids.”

Karen blinked, puzzled by his offer.

“No particular reason. I just want to give her a call.”

Karen hesitated, lips parting to tell him about a conversation she had with Dorothy, but ultimately, she

didn’t have the heart to say it. “Alright, you call. I’ll get in the car with the kids.”

Kenneth nodded and walked away with his phone.

The wind in Eldorria City was brisk today, tossing his hair lightly and making his coat flutter.

He found Dorothy’s number, hesitated for a few seconds, and then dialed.

Dorothy answered quickly.

“Kenneth

“Hey,” he said, a smile spreading across his face at the sound of her voice. “Just wanted to let you

know, Karen’s arrived safely. I’m about to take the kids out to eat!

“Great! Thank you, Kenneth, for looking after the kids, and thanks for…”

“You’re always thanking me. I’m getting tired of hearing it.” Kenneth teased with a smirk, “When you

come back, say it to my face and treat me to a meal”

He had barely finished his sentence when he heard a man’s voice on the other end, “Dorothy, come

help me with my bath.”