CHAPTER 238: CHAPTER 238: HE’S MY DAD

It’s still a bit cold at the end of February, but luckily the weather is nice today. As we left, we ran into our neighbor’s child in the elevator.

"Leo’s mom, you’re up this early too?"

Shannon Quinn smiled and greeted the neighbor: "Yes, school’s started. Leo was so excited that he couldn’t sleep and got up very early."

"Our Jesse still doesn’t want to go. He’s dragging his feet and doesn’t want to get up."

The little boy from the neighbor’s family is also sent to school by both parents. Shannon Quinn is quite familiar with Jesse’s mom, but during the winter break, Jesse’s family went back to their hometown, so they didn’t know Shannon Quinn’s life had changed.

The group walked into the same elevator. Jesse’s mom glanced several times at Landon Sutton, observing him as he carried Leo’s backpack with one hand and held Leo’s hand with the other. Jesse’s mom wanted to say something several times but held back.

Jesse’s mom always knew Shannon Quinn was a single mother. Now seeing Landon Sutton holding Leo’s hand, she wanted to ask if Shannon Quinn had found someone new but was afraid of causing awkwardness in person.

It was Jesse who looked up at Landon Sutton and then asked Leo, "Leo, is he your dad? He’s so handsome."

Hearing this, Leo looked up at Landon Sutton with a somewhat proud expression.

Shannon Quinn was contemplating how to explain, but Landon Sutton spoke first: "You’re cute too, little friend."

Jesse’s mom pulled Shannon Quinn aside and whispered in her ear, "Is he your new guy? He looks nice."

Shannon Quinn laughed awkwardly but did not deny it, then heard Jesse say, "But why haven’t we seen uncle before? In our class, Chad and the others said Leo didn’t have a dad. I knew they were lying; everyone has a dad, right, dad?" Jesse turned his innocent face towards his own father and asked.

Shannon Quinn’s smile slowly froze upon hearing Jesse’s words.

Because Leo had never mentioned these things to her, he almost never asked Shannon Quinn about his dad.

Now Shannon Quinn understood why Leo insisted on having Landon go with them yesterday evening.

Landon Sutton also felt upset hearing Jesse’s words, as he patted Leo’s head with his large hand, while Leo stood obediently beside him, clutching his shirt hem.

As the elevator descended, Jesse’s mom and Shannon Quinn fell slightly behind in the walk, and Jesse’s mom said to Shannon Quinn, "Your guy and Leo do look a bit alike."

Shannon Quinn looked at the tall and short figures of the father and son and replied with a smile, "There’s a blood relation."

Jesse’s mom exclaimed, "Really? His original dad? Such a handsome husband, you’ve done well to keep it a secret, Shannon."

Leo was obviously very excited, humming some unknown tune in the car.

Shannon Quinn pulled Leo over to her side, "Come here, mommy needs to ask you something."

"What is it, mom?"

"Jesse just said that Chad from your class said you don’t have a dad. Why didn’t you tell mom?"

Leo stopped smiling, pouted, looked at Landon Sutton driving, and answered in a somewhat aggrieved voice, "But I really don’t have a dad."

The car suddenly fell silent, and from the rearview mirror, Landon Sutton glanced and took a deep breath, feeling quite uncomfortable.

Shannon Quinn felt a pang in her nose, pulled Leo closer, and spoke with a slightly moist yet confident voice, "Who told you that you don’t have a dad?"

Leo immediately turned his head curiously to ask Shannon Quinn, "Then where is my dad?!"

Shannon Quinn glanced at Landon Sutton and pinched Leo’s nose, saying, "When you score a hundred on your test, mommy will tell you."

Leo looked disappointed, returned to his seat, and dug a hole for Shannon Quinn, "Mom, I look so much like Uncle Sutton. Isn’t he my dad?"

Shannon Quinn and Landon Sutton exchanged a glance in the rearview mirror. Landon had a slight smile in his eyes and remained silent, wanting to hear Shannon Quinn’s answer.

"Who told you that looking alike means he’s your dad?"

"Then what do I have to do for him to be my dad?"

Landon Sutton finally chimed in, "Once I marry your mom, I’ll be your dad."

Leo immediately said to Shannon Quinn, "Then mom, can you please marry uncle soon?"

"What do you know, little one? Just focus on your studies."

"Hmph, I already knew."

Shannon Quinn looked at Leo, "What do you know now?"

Leo confidently pointed at Landon Sutton and said, "He’s not uncle; he’s my dad!"

Leo’s words were surprising; even Landon Sutton was stunned for a split second.

Shannon Quinn slightly furrowed her brow but felt quite content deep down. She was just surprised that Leo knew so much. She had been thinking about finding a time to explain things to the child, but it seemed there was no need now.

Suddenly, Shannon Quinn waited to question the back of Landon Sutton’s head, "Did you tell him?"

"I’m being wronged."

Leo immediately defended Landon Sutton, "Mom, you told me!"

"When did I tell you?"

"You said I look a lot like dad, so I’ve known for a while."

No wonder Leo was always actively creating opportunities for Landon Sutton and urging for the marriage.

Shannon Quinn had originally found it odd; when other uncles pursued her, Leo wasn’t this enthusiastic, but with Landon Sutton, it was completely different. Now it made sense that he had known all along, which explained his fondness for Landon.

When they got out of the car, Shannon Quinn got out first, holding Leo’s hand and standing by the side as Leo reminded Landon Sutton, "Uncle, remember to take my backpack."

Landon Sutton grabbed the backpack, got out of the car, locked the door, walked over to Leo, and held his hand, correcting, "Shouldn’t you call me dad now?"

Leo smiled, glanced up at Shannon Quinn, saw no sign of anger, then shyly and bashfully looked up at Landon Sutton and called, "Dad."

The word made Shannon Quinn’s heart ache, followed by a warm flood, and if it weren’t such a public place, she might not have been able to hold back her tears.

Landon Sutton, overjoyed, scooped Leo up into his arms and headed towards the school gate.

Shannon Quinn thought he was spoiling Leo too much, so she said, "Let him walk on his own. Look at the other kids; none of them need to be carried."

"It’s okay."

Leo was delighted, sitting in his arms, almost wanting to tell the whole world he now had a dad.

Shannon Quinn also understood that this moment was too precious for the father and son. She herself never expected to see such a scene in her lifetime.

She didn’t oppose anymore, just reached over to take the backpack hanging on Landon Sutton’s other arm and said, "Let me carry it."

Landon Sutton looked down at her with a smile, let go, and handed her the backpack. After freeing that hand, he pulled Shannon Quinn closer to his side.

At that moment, he truly felt like he owned the entire world.