Chapter 1436: Chapter 1436

Ellinor didn’t bite on Sophia’s subtle probing as her gaze once again fixed on the child nestled in Sophia’s arms. The child’s face was obscured by a mask, making it impossible for her to discern his features.

“How old is your little one?” Ellinor asked.

Sophia replied, “Our little Tristan just turned two this year.”

Two years old…

Ellinor’s gaze never wavered from the small face hidden behind the Batman mask.

While the mask hid his entire face, his eyes were exposed. They were a pair of deep, radiant eyes.

Upon realizing he was being watched, the child stared back at Ellinor, tilting his head slightly in what looked like curiosity. He was adorable.

Seeing Ellinor and Tristan lock eyes made a fleeting hint of caution cross Sophia’s face.

Intentionally, she placed her hand between Tristan and Ellinor. “Tristan, have you chosen a balloon yet? We need to hurry; your dad is waiting for us at the diner. We can’t keep him waiting too long.”

The little boy looked up at the balloons, ultimately choosing one shaped like a dinosaur.

After quickly paying, Sophia bid Ellinor farewell. “Ellinor, we must be going. If we cross paths again, I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Ellinor watched her calmly, neither nodding nor saying goodbye..

Sophia carried her son into their black SUV and drove off, quickly disappearing from sight.

Ellinor stood still, looking in the direction they had left. The image of the little boy’s eyes, however, was imprinted in her mind.

Those eyes were so familiar…

A hand waved in front of her face. “Alright, stop staring. They’re long gone.”

Ellinor came back to reality and gave Bartlett a cold glance. “If you have nothing better to do, you can leave too.”

Bartlett frowned. “How can I leave? I don’t have a car.”

Ellinor showed no sympathy. “Whose fault is it that you don’t have a car? Didn’t you insist on getting a lift from us?”

Bartlett shrugged. “If I hadn’t, would you have given me a ride? We agreed to take the kids to the park, and I just wanted to tag along.”

Ellinor couldn’t hide her disdain. “I never agreed to anything. Mr. Rex, you just assumed.”

Bartlett sighed. “So, I just read too much into things, then?”

“I didn’t say that, but you’re definitely overthinking.”

Ellinor ignored him. Her gaze was fixed on the preschool entrance, waiting for Veronica to bring out the three children.

Suddenly, Bartlett whispered in her ear. “Ellinor, you should learn from Sophia.”

Ellinor frowned. “Learn what from her?”

“Learn from her attitude towards starting a new life. Look at her; even though she didn’t get the love she wanted, she’s still able to open her heart to new people. She got married and had a child. She’s happy! You should be more open-minded and think about yourself more. Don’t get hung up over one thing.”

Ellinor knew that this guy would eventually bring up this topic. “Bartlett, if you have nothing better to do, go home and eat. Don’t lecture people here. Do you know how annoying you can be?”

Bartlett shrugged. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop talking if that’s what you want. I’ll just quietly accompany you and the kids to the park.”

Ellinor ignored him and walked towards the preschool gate. Through it, she could see Veronica leading out the two little ones, with Baber trailing behind them with his backpack.

“Mommy!”

“Mommy!”

Ellinor walked over and squatted down to pat the little ones’ heads.

“Did you listen to your teacher today?”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

The little ones had just started preschool and were still adjusting.