Chapter 171
Following the complire party, everyone returned to their respective tents to prepare for sleep.
Inside the tent, Alex called out to the two adults once more, “Hackett, Mommy, come and sleep together.”
“Sleep together…” Valeria pondered.
An air of embarrassment colored Valeria’s face, and she cast a fleeting glance toward the man standing beside her.
Hackett noticed her hesitation and assured the child, saying, “You and your mommy go ahead and sleep. I’ll stay outside to protect you. There might be some not–so–friendly little animals around here at night.”
With an innocent expression, the little one inquired, “What are these not–so–friendly little animals? I want to stay outside! I
want to see!”
“You’re not planning to sleep?” Valeria furrowed her brow and inquired.
The man adopted a deep tone and responded, “Do you like snakes? Do you like mice? Do you like bugs?
The child, wide–eyed like grapes, vehemently shook his head as he cried, “I don’t like them! Mommy, are there mice and snakes here? I don’t want to! I want to go home!”
Alex was on the verge of tears, his fear palpable as he clung tightly to Valeria.
With a serious demeanor, Hackett said, “So, you and your mommy stay in the tent, and I’ll stay outside to protect you. Be obedient, okay?”
Hackett appeared entirely sincere, devoid of deceit. Alex placed his complete trust in him and obediently nodded, now reluctant to venture outside the tent.
Valeria couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
This location had been chosen by the kindergarten, ensuring safety to the fullest extent possible. However, complete avoidance of snakes, ants, and insects in the wilderness was impossible.
Alex had always been fearless, but Valeria observed that Hackett possessed the knack for handling the little guy.
Consequently, Valeria and Alex retreated to the tent for bed while Hackett stood vigilant outside, creating an aura of harmony.
Alex gazed up at his mother and asked, “Mommy, do you like Hackett? Do you want Hackett to be your husband?”
The sudden maturity in her son’s question caught Valeria off guard. She smiled and retorted, “Why do you ask that? Do you want Hackett to be your dad?”
The obedient child replied, “If Mommy likes him, then I like him?
Touched, Valeria kissed her son’s tender cheek and whispered, “Sweetie, don’t dwell on such thoughts. Just be happy every day, eat well, play well, and sleep well.”
“But I sense that Mommy likes Hackett… Alex said.
Valeria’s heart skipped a beat, and she peered down at her son in her arms feeling flustered as if he had uncovered her
secrets.
“You’re just a little kid. What do you understand? I don’t like him she explained with a guilty conscience. Explaining to such a young child made her feel somewhat foolish.
08:21 Fri, Nov 15
Chapter 171
80%1
The child assumed a tone beyond his years and replied, “I understand. I can feel that Mommy likes Hackett. Mommy treats Hackett differently from Keith”
Valeria was lost for words.
“Differently? How does she treat 11ackett? How does she treat Keah?
“Why don’t I feel any difference? She contemplated.
Curiously, Valeria asked, “How is it different?”
After pondering seriously for a few seconds, the little one replied. “Mommy treats Hackett like family and treats Keith like a friend…”
Valeria fell silent, struggling to find words in response.
“Is it truly so evident? Is it this conspicuous?” Valeria pondered.
In the midst of the night at one o’clock, Hackett sat by the campfire, his pitch–black eyes fixated on the flickering flames, his thoughts delving into unknown territory.
At this morffent, the sound of a zipper being pulled echoed from the tent, and Valeria stepped out from inside.
The man swiftly regained his composure and looked up at her, saying, “Why are you coming out? Are you not going to sleep?”
Tl take over for a while, and you should go inside and get some rest, Valeria replied. She thought, “We have to take the kids mountain climbing tomorrow, and it’s impossible to be energetic after staying up all night.”
Valeria settled down beside him and prodded the campfire with a stick
However, Hackett said, “I’m not tired, and besides, I’m a man. You go to sleep. I’m not skilled at soothing children.
Valeria retorted, “What’s wrong with being a man? Men get tired, too. Go to sleep. I can’t sleep right now either.
She genuinely couldn’t sleep, all due to what little Alex had said
Looking at Hackett now made her feel somewhat awkward. Did she genuinely treat Hackett like family?
Hackett replied, “Then I’ll stay with you for a while; I can’t sleep either.”
He couldn’t sleep because of Valeria’s hurtful words, and Valeria couldn’t sleep because of little Alex’s innocent comments.
This night was fated to be sleepless.
In the other tents, everything remained quiet, with only Valeria and Hackett sitting by the campfire.
In the serene night, the only sounds were the cicadas and the faint footsteps of small animals scuttling about.
Hackett suddenly said, “Tell me about your four years abroad. Were you anxious when giving birth?”
He regretted one thing deeply, and it was that he wasn’t there when his son was born, and he didn’t even know if Valeria had someone by her side during childbirth, perhaps Keith?
Thinking of this, he felt a pang in his heart. His partner was giving birth, but another man was there with her, a feeling that was hard to express in words.
Valeria smiled lightly and responded, “Honestly, I was quite anxious. I was worried throughout the pregnancy, especially because I couldn’t have home–cooked meals in a foreign country. 1 feared not getting enough nutrition. Alex was born
08:21 Fri, Nov 15
Chapter 171
around the thirty–eighth week, weighing less than 2.7 kilogramsil kept blaming myself for not eating properly, but he turned out to be healthy. After he was born, he ate well and slepe well, and his weight quickly went up
“So, who was with you when you gave birth? Hackett asked. He knew that giving birth in a foreign country could be complicated.
80%
Valeria assumed a relaxed tone and replied truthfully, “Thanks to Keith. He helped me a lot, made hospital appointments for me, and took me to the hospital when my stomach hurt in the middle of the night…
Disappointment was evident in the man’s eyes. It was indeed Keith who had been with her.
Suddenly, he felt like a failed father. His son was born, but he was completely unaware.
Hackett said with a bitter tone, “I see… If only you had told me earlier, I would have been there with you immediately to accompany you during childbirth.”
u seemed to “Unfortunately, there are no ‘ifs! At the time, I thought you were already married and had children. After all, you like that woman so much in front of me… Valeria replied. She was angry; recalling that scene from four years ago made her furious, and she could never let it go.
Hackett had nothing more to say.
In the end, it was all his fault. He pushed his woman and child into a helpless abyss, almost endangering his own son’s life.
Both of them fell into silence, saying nothing.
Suddenly, Valeria heard the sound of something crawling
Valeria followed the source of the sound and discovered a snake crawling towards her feet, its tongue flickering,
“Ah! A snake!” she screamed in fear.
Hackett quickly got up and pulled her behind him. However, the snake, seemingly frightened, bit the man’s ankle.
Hackett grunted and directly picked up the snake, throwing it into the woods.
SEND GIFT
