CHAPTER 688: CHAPTER 688: FEED HIM COOKIES

Hayden Crawford looked at Serena Sterling. "What, you disagree with giving me custody of Pip and Stella? In that case, we’ll have to go to court, but all my conditions are better than yours, and there’s no woman around me. Instead, you are now the Princess of Nine Peaks, so I will definitely get custody of Pip and Stella."

"If you willingly give up, things don’t have to get so ugly between us. For the sake of the three children, I will give you significant compensation."

Serena Sterling froze completely. Was he really going to... fight her for the children?

He wanted the children without her, right?

Serena Sterling shook her head. "I can’t give the children to you. They are my everything."

Hayden Crawford suddenly narrowed his dangerous eyes. "Serena Sterling, are we at an impasse now?"

Saying that, Hayden Crawford got out of bed, looked down at Serena Sterling, "Then you wait for the lawyer’s letter. I am determined to get custody of the children."

He turned to leave.

But in the next moment, a soft, white hand reached over; Serena Sterling suddenly grabbed his large hand.

Hayden Crawford’s footsteps paused, and he lowered his handsome eyelids to look at her. He saw Serena Sterling raise her palm-sized exquisite face, looking at him, and she softly asked, "Hayden Crawford, are we... beyond reconciliation?"

Hayden Crawford felt a deep pain in his heart, as if a sharp knife had been plunged inside, stirring endlessly, making every breath painful. Seeing her delicate shoulders, reddened eyes, and added tenderness, he just wanted to hold her tightly, press her beneath him, and answer her with fervent passion: he still wanted her!

He could never refuse her.

But, thinking of the three years of separation and her heartless decision, Hayden Crawford stiffened, immobile. A few seconds later, he pulled his large hand away from hers, little by little, and answered, "Since you left me three years ago, we’ve been past the point of return."

He finished speaking and turned to leave.

He had to leave here quickly because he feared that if he stayed one more second, he wouldn’t be able to refuse her any longer.

He was even more afraid she would say one more word. If she said one more word, he might agree to everything she said.

Hayden Crawford left, truly left. Serena Sterling watched his tall figure disappear from her sight, and her whole body went soft as if all the strength had been drained out of her. Her long eyelashes trembled and large tears began to fall.

He really didn’t want her anymore.

In fact, she could truly explain. These three years, she didn’t choose not to return; she couldn’t. After giving birth to the triplets in Alani, she fell into a long sleep.

The moment she awakened, she eagerly returned, went back to the City of Aethelgard, to see him, to see Caden.

But she couldn’t say these words, and he didn’t want to hear them. What’s more, he had already sentenced her to death.

Were they really over?

Crystal tears blurred her vision, and Serena Sterling suddenly broke into sobs.

...

Hayden Crawford didn’t sleep all night, tossing and turning. The thought of being the father of three children excited him too much to sleep.

Serena Sterling’s exquisite face still lingered in his mind. Recalling last night when she tenderly held his hand, asking if they were beyond reconciliation, he felt a little regret. He admitted he regretted refusing her.

Hayden Crawford hated her, but he hated himself more. She kept hurting him, yet he still loved her, indulged her. She constantly affected his emotions, making her impossible to forget.

In the early morning, Hayden Crawford got up and went downstairs. From afar, he heard Pip and Stella’s laughter, and the entire villa had the warm scent of baked goods.

Hayden Crawford walked over and immediately saw Serena Sterling. In the morning, Serena Sterling wore a dress with a floral apron outside, baking cookies for the children.

Little Stella wore a princess dress, circling around her mommy, happily clapping her tiny hands, "Wow, Mommy’s cookies are so pretty and smell so good!"

Little Pip took a cookie and tasted it. Little Stella asked in her sweet voice, "Brother, is it good?"

"Yes, it’s really good." Little Pip handed the cookie over to feed little Stella.

Little Stella took a bite and then fed the remaining cookie to Serena Sterling, "Mommy, you have to taste it, it’s really delicious!"

Hayden Crawford watched the trio sharing a cookie, the scene was warm and beautiful.

Time seemed to quiet down, now the brilliant morning light streamed in through the polished floor-to-ceiling windows, a warm golden hue. Hayden Crawford’s gaze fell on Serena Sterling, her long black hair draped over her ears, revealing her snowy earlobes and beautiful, refined profile. She watched the children with a gentle smile at the corner of her lips, the image striking directly into his eyes.

Hayden Crawford felt his heart was filled, soft and satisfying. He had never had such a strong feeling in his life.

Then little Stella was the first to notice him. She immediately called out in a sweet voice, "Daddy~"

Serena Sterling looked up and also saw Hayden Crawford.

Hayden Crawford wore a custom-tailored black shirt and trousers, tall and upright. The shirt sleeves were rolled up a few notches, revealing his strong forearms and a luxurious stainless-steel watch on his wrist. At his age, he exuded an indescribable mature allure.

Recalling last night, Serena Sterling’s clear eyes flashed with some dimness. She lowered her long eyelashes, avoiding his gaze.

She actually didn’t look at him.

Earlier, she had looked at him once.

Hayden Crawford frowned slightly, feeling a hint of displeasure. He walked steadily forward and kissed little Stella’s cheek, "Stella, morning."

"Daddy, morning~" little Stella happily replied.

At this moment, little Pip looked at Hayden Crawford, then at Serena Sterling, sensitively perceiving the subtle tension between them. Alas, judging by their difficult path in love, he, so young, bore all this burden alone and worried endlessly.

Little Pip sighed, then greeted in a childish voice, "Hello, handsome uncle."

Hayden Crawford reached out his large hand and ruffled little Pip’s hair, "Pip, what did you call me?"

Little Pip quickly corrected himself, "Daddy~"

"Say it again."

"Daddy~"

Hayden Crawford curled his thin lips and hugged little Pip tightly.

"Daddy, Mommy made us cookies early in the morning. These cookies are really good. Mommy, hurry up and give Daddy a piece to taste," little Pip innocently suggested.