CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: UNEXPLAINABLE AFFECTION

Nighttime.

Honey was bouncing on the bed wearing her little yellow duck pajamas.

Upon seeing Ruby Sullivan enter the room, she suddenly thought of something, beamed with a wide smile, ran over to hug Ruby, looked up with an innocent face, and said, "Mom, can I ask you a question?"

Ruby Sullivan nodded with a smile, her hand naturally caressing Honey’s head, "Go ahead and ask."

"Well... well..." Honey’s expression suddenly turned bashful, her face blushing as she tiptoed close to Ruby, her words making Ruby’s heart skip a beat, "The handsome uncle we met at the airport today, can he be my dad?"

Ruby Sullivan was momentarily stunned, her heart stirred, but her face remained calm as she hugged Honey to her chest, "Why would Honey ask that?"

Honey shyly covered her face, responding in a child’s voice, "Because that uncle is handsome! Just like the ones on the big screen!"

Ruby Sullivan: "..."

"Honey, it’s already late today, and you have to go to kindergarten tomorrow. We can continue this topic another time, okay?"

Even though Honey was young, she clearly sensed that her mom didn’t seem happy when the handsome uncle was mentioned.

So she obediently responded and snuggled under her little blanket.

After the lights went out, there was a silence between mother and daughter. Ruby Sullivan planted a goodnight kiss on her face.

Surrounded by quietness, Ruby Sullivan lay with her eyes wide open, staring into the void of darkness. Just when she thought Honey had fallen asleep, small hands suddenly wrapped around her, patting her back comfortingly, intuitively considerate to a heartbreaking degree.

"Mom, if you’re unhappy, then Honey won’t like that uncle anymore."

Ruby Sullivan’s heart felt a pang, almost bringing her to tears. She suppressed her emotions, patted Honey’s hand, and gave her a kiss, "Sleep, my dear."

...

The next morning, The Sterling Family household.

Rhonda Sullivan entered, handing her suitcase to the servant, and softly asked, "Where are Ethan and Seth?"

"They are having breakfast in the dining room."

Thankfully, she made it in time; her overnight flight back from Euronia hadn’t been in vain. Rhonda Sullivan’s face lit up with a smile as she quickly headed for the dining room.

"Surprise! Good morning, Ethan!"

Ethan Sterling paused, then nodded, seeming not at all surprised, showing no signs of missing his girlfriend of over half a month who had been away on a business trip.

Across from him sat an exquisitely featured little boy, bearing quite a resemblance to Ethan Sterling, looking like a younger version of Ethan at first glance.

Rhonda Sullivan walked over with a perfect smile, having deliberately applied makeup and perfume and put on a white dress he liked before descending from the plane. As she approached, Ethan Sterling frowned, his tone chilly and emotionless, "Don’t come too close, the scent is too strong."

A snicker escaped from a nearby maid, prompting Rhonda Sullivan to glare at her fiercely before turning back, once more wearing a gentle and endearing facade but not daring to step any closer.

She set down the bag in her hand, took out the box inside, and placed it in front of Seth Sterling, flashing a flattering smile, "Seth, look what Auntie brought for you: ginger milk, it’s super tasty as a dessert and nutritious too, you can—"

Before she could finish, the child coldly interrupted, "I don’t eat ginger."

Rhonda Sullivan paused and reached out to touch Seth’s head, "This ginger flavor is really mild, eating a bit is good for your health."

"I’m full." Seth Sterling dodged her touch, jumped off the stool, picked up his backpack, his small face full of coldness, and nodded at Ethan Sterling, "Dad, I’ll wait for you in the car."

Ethan Sterling nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

Rhonda Sullivan watched Seth’s departing figure, biting her teeth in frustration.

Ever since she found out Ethan Sterling had this child, she tried every means to win him over, thinking that gaining the child’s heart might help win over Ethan’s.

But after four years, the little brat still hadn’t shown her a good face!

And as for the man in front of her—he was as cold as a stone!

Not daring to lose her temper with Ethan Sterling present, Rhonda Sullivan forced out a smile, giving herself a way to back down, "Seth is becoming more and more eccentric."

Ethan Sterling cast a cool glance at her, put down what he was holding, walked around her, and headed straight forward. Rhonda Sullivan’s expression instantly changed, unsure of what nerve of his she touched again, she hurriedly called out, "Ethan..."

Ethan Sterling turned his head, his gaze deep and dangerous.

That one look made cold sweat trickle down Rhonda Sullivan’s back, all the sordid thoughts beneath her skin seemingly laid bare in an instant, rendering her unable to say another word.

Inside the car, Seth Sterling was already seated, with his seatbelt fastened, his entire demeanor cold.

Seeing Ethan Sterling approaching, he nodded slightly, "Dad."

Ethan Sterling responded, opening the car door and getting in, lowering his head to ask him, "Had a good breakfast?"

"Mm." The little boy tersely uttered a single sound.

"Seth, no matter how much you dislike Mrs. Sullivan, basic manners are still necessary, I’ve discussed this with you before."

Seth Sterling didn’t lift his head, fixed his gaze on the non-existent spot, and murmured.

Ethan Sterling’s patience was running out, his face darkening, "Seth, speak."

Seth Sterling looked up at him, his gaze indifferent, "Dad doesn’t like Mrs. Sullivan either, does he?"

The voice carried a child’s innocence, yet it was so logical that Ethan Sterling found himself without a retort.

For the first time at a loss for words, even feeling a bit annoyed being rebutted by his own son.

"I understand," just as he was about to lose his temper, Seth lowered his head again, his voice flat, showing no fluctuation, "I will respect her from now on."

In the confined cabin, the atmosphere suddenly twisted.

Ethan Sterling felt a tightness in his chest, unable to swallow or spit, and ultimately remained silent, his face stern until they reached the kindergarten.

Upon arrival, Seth unbuckled his seatbelt on his own, grabbed his backpack, his small body finding these tasks somewhat challenging, yet he stubbornly refused any help.

Ethan Sterling watched the whole time, saying nothing, until Seth didn’t say "goodbye, Dad" as he usually did, but rather slammed the car door shut, that Ethan tried to massage his temples.

That damn kid, getting harder and harder to handle.