Jasper bit her lips as her wet almond-shaped eyes were fixed on him. âWilliam⦠Will you⦠Will you come back with us?â She was discouraged as she spoke because he had a good life here. He had many people waiting on him, and he had his grandparents and father. It was a far cry from when he was at her home.
He must prefer it here. He would not go back with her.
âBack? Go back where? This is Williamâs home!â Chelsea, Williamâs grandmother, immediately spoke up as she was afraid that the little girl would take her baby grandson away!
Charlie Barlow also said, âYou must be Jasper. William was at your house for a while, but he has returned to his own home now, so he canât go back to Emerald City with you.â
However, Jasper seemed not to hear them as her almond-shaped eyes were still looking straight at William. A moment later, she heard him say, âIâm sorry. Iâm⦠not going back with you.â
Her eyes instantly turned red as she looked down.
She knew he⦠would not go back with her.
âI⦠know you have grandparents and parents now, so you⦠wonât go back with me. I know thatâ¦
but⦠Iâm still sad. I want to sleep and play the piano with you. And I want to tell you so many stories.â
However, come to think about it, she would have refused to leave her parents and brothers too.
She understood it, but she still felt upset.
âDonât cry. William has found his own home. You should be happy for him,â said Grace as she cradled her daughter in her arms and wiped the tears from her daughterâs eyes.
Jasper pouted, but she was not happy at all. The thought of not being able to see William every day upset her.
Grace turned her head and looked at William. âWilliam, you were wronged when you were with the Reed family. Iâm very sorry about that. Iâm sorry.â
William shook his head. âaunt Cummins, you donât have to apologize.â He knew that aunt Cummins had been helping him look for evidence. Many people believed that he was a naughty child, but aunt Cummins was willing to ask him what had happened instead of believing right away that he did it.
âAlright, itâs very late now. Letâs go home first,â said Grace before taking her daughterâs hand. Jason took their sonâs hand, and the four left the Barlow familyâs living room.
However, Jasper looked at William reluctantly before leaving.
William looked blankly at Jasper as she left. Then, he looked down at the chocolate, apology card, and⦠the doll he found in the storeroom.
âI told you, how could our grandson have pushed someone down the stairs? Fortunately, the truth is out now. But they caused all this ruckus tonight just to apologize. I wonder how the Reed family educates their children!â mumbled Chelsea. She was about to hug her precious grandson when William suddenly ran outside.
âHey, William, where are you going?â Chelsea immediately shouted and ran out. Charlie Barlow and several servants followed them.
Philip Barlow stood in the same spot with a slight smile on his lips. He was not worried that his son would want to return to the Reed family.
After all, William carried the blood of the Barlow family. Since he had something he wanted, he knew the price he needed to pay.
William ran and caught up with the Reed family at the gate of the Barlow familyâs house.
William called out, âJasper, I⦠I donât blame you! I want to be your best friend, a better friend than anyone else. Itâs just that⦠I⦠I canât leave my present home.â