CHAPTER 510: BOTH FATHER AND SON MAKE HER HEART ACHE.

Daisy Ginger didn’t sleep all night.

Just as dawn was breaking, she suddenly heard rustling footsteps overhead.

Daisy immediately became alert, gently placing George Stephens to the side. She carefully walked to the entrance of the cave and looked up.

The cave they were in was still dark, but there was faint daylight leaking in from above, suggesting that it was already light outside.

The footsteps grew closer, and Daisy even heard Emma Magus’s chattering voice. She was about to shout in excitement when suddenly the cave entrance darkened, and something fell from above.

Daisy was startled but fortunately wasn’t hit. In the dim light, she could clearly see the head of short burgundy hair and realized that Ryan Smith had fallen just like her.

"Hey. Are you alright?"

She walked over, looking at Ryan, who was obviously stunned from the fall. He was holding his head and groaning. Upon hearing her voice, he suddenly lifted his head to look at her.

"Damn!" He widened his eyes in disbelief, scrambled up from the ground, and grabbed Daisy’s shoulders. "What are you doing here? Edward’s about to go crazy over you, you know?!"

"..." Did she want to be here? Daisy hadn’t fully reacted when she heard Ryan shouting up, "Edward Stephens, I’ve found Daisy! We’re both here; hurry up and get us out of here!"

"You’re so loud. Redhead."

George, who had been sleeping soundly, had unexpectedly stood up at some point. His face darkened with annoyance, and his small face showed a look of irritation and dissatisfaction as he glared at Ryan with his black, beady eyes.

"Even you..." Ryan rushed over, picked him up from the ground, and held him tightly in his arms, ruffling his head vigorously. "You little brat, do you know you almost scared us to death!"

George struggled in Ryan’s arms, his face icy cold.

Ryan paid no mind to his mood, tucking him under his arm, and shouted at the cave entrance, "Edward Stephens, your wife and son are down here! Where the hell are you?!"

The cave entrance was about five or six meters above them, covered in dense grass and leaves. The sound got muffled, and it was possible the people above truly couldn’t hear him.

Just as Daisy thought that, the branches and leaves covering the entrance were suddenly cut away, and leaves rustled down. She and Ryan stepped back as a tall figure dropped down from above the next second.

The man landed steadily on the ground.

"Edward Ste..."

Seeing him, Daisy felt an inexplicable excitement. Before she could finish her words, Edward Stephens extended his arms and pulled her into a strong embrace.

The man’s grip was somewhat uncontrollable, his arms like steel clamps around her waist. One hand pressed against the back of her head, pulling her firmly into his chest. Daisy could even feel the sound of her bones protesting under the pressure.

"Edward Stephens..." she whispered his name low, feeling slight heartache as she heard his wild heartbeat and shallow breaths against her neck. "I’m okay, Edward Stephens, don’t be afraid."

Ryan, still holding George, silently walked to the side, glancing at the pile of firewood that hadn’t completely burned and noticed the uneaten roast snake.

He twitched at the corner of his mouth, "Looks like you had a pretty cozy night with meat and all."

"..." George gave him a side eye, pushed him away, and trotted over to where Edward Stephens was.

"Hey, kid, don’t you know better..." Ryan sighed softly from his spot, watching George run towards Edward Stephens.

It’s their world, kid. No need for you to intrude.

"Dad."

George stood in front of Edward Stephens and Daisy, watching Edward expectantly.

The man slowly released Daisy, looked down, glanced at George without any response, and just took out a walkie-talkie. "I’m in a large cave at your four o’clock position. I’ve found everyone. Inform the search and rescue team to stop searching."

"..."

George’s gaze dimmed as he stared at the man, lowering his eyes to the ground, lost in thought.

Daisy watched this scene and sighed lightly in her heart.

She completely understood Edward’s reluctance to acknowledge him, but she also felt sorry for the circumstances of this child’s birth.

Ryan came over and picked up George, taking him aside, "Isn’t it fun playing with Uncle Smith? How about Uncle takes you to meet some girls?"

Daisy couldn’t hold back, "What nonsense are you teaching him!"

Growing up around Robert Stephens was bad enough; now he had to endure Ryan’s influence!

"Look at how hard the Stephens brothers work to woo women. I’m teaching him early, so he won’t grow up unable to get married!"

"He’s only three!" Daisy snapped, "Don’t fill his head with your filthy thoughts!"

Daisy walked over, pulling George out of Ryan’s arms and setting him down. She patted the boy’s hair, "Don’t listen to him, okay? He’s going to ruin your chances of getting married one day."

Ryan protested, "Hey, do you misunderstand my ways with women..."

Daisy ignored him, leading George aside and gazing down at his expression.

The boy’s expression reverted back to the gloomy demeanor he had when they first met, with lowered lashes and silence.

The rift between Edward and him might never be peacefully resolved in their lives. And when he’s older and understands the circumstances of his birth, who knows how he’ll feel.

But the child can’t choose his birth; it’s not his fault.

"After we leave, take a good bath and a nap. Be a good kid and don’t play with snakes anymore. Auntie will buy you toys, alright?"

George lifted his long lashes and looked at Daisy, letting tears stream down his eyes, sobbing quietly as he raised his hand.

Daisy sighed softly, patting his round little head, then turned her head to glance at Edward Stephens.

The man stood under the cave entrance, ignoring this side, with an indifferent demeanor.

He still wore the clothes from yesterday, but the jacket was gone, leaving only the shirt.

At that moment, the sleeves were rolled up, revealing powerfully toned arms. His face and hands bore blood marks.

Always one for cleanliness, now stubble dotted his chin, and his shirt was dirty.

She thought he would find her by noon, but he appeared in the morning.

He must have rushed back, discovered she was missing, and immediately came to search for her overnight.

Both father and son made her heart ache slightly.