âMommy has a man she fancies. Because of this man, she canât date anyone else.â
Layla curiously inquired. âWho is this man Mommy likes? Where is he? Why doesnât he come and date Mommy?â
Ellinor was speechless.
Every child seemed to be a never-ending book of questions, didnât they?
If anyone else asked her this question, she wouldnât think about answering it. But for her own daughter, she couldnât ignore it.
With a sigh, Ellinor responded. âThe man Mommy likes is away dealing with some matters. When he returns, heâll naturally be there to date Mommy.â
Layla posed another question. âIs the man Mommy likes Daddy?â
Caught off guard, Ellinor candidly nodded at her daughter. âYes, the man Mommy likes is indeed your Daddy!â
But this didnât please Layla, who pouted unhappily. âI donât like Daddy!â
Confused, Ellinor asked, âHuh? Why donât you like Daddy? Youâve never even met him.â
With a huff, Layla retorted. âThatâs exactly why I donât like him. In fairy tales, the prince always shows up to rescue the princess when she needs him most, even bravely fighting dragons for her. But Daddy has never been there for Mommy. Daddy doesnât like Mommy. So, I donât like him either!â
The logic of a child could sometimes be amusingly baffling, yet somehow it also struck a chord in Ellinorâs heart.
âBefore you were born, he would always show up when Mommy needed him and protect me.â Ellinor said, her voice heavy with emotion, Still puzzled, Layla asked, âThen why doesnât he show up after we were born? Does he not like us?â
Ellinor shook her head. âNo, itâs not that he doesnât like you. Heâs just tied up with some stuff. Trust Mommy. One day, your Daddy will come back, and youâll grow to like him too.â
Layla pouted her lips in a grudge. âBut Mommy often looks sad at night while clutching your pillow. Itâs cause heâs not there for you.â
Ellinor never expected that her three-year-old daughter could perceive and empathize with her emotions.
She felt touched and managed a faint smile. âEveryone has their moments of sadness. Itâs normal. Your Daddy has his too, and Mommy isnât there for him either. Layla, Mommy doesnât want you to overthink things at such a young age or to hate your own Daddy. Believe in Mommy. One day, we will overcome all obstacles and be a united family.â
After looking into her momâs sincere and determined eyes, Layla threw herself into her arms. âI hope that when Daddyâs not around, Mommy will be happy and fulfilled too.â
âMommy will.â
After their heartfelt conversation, Veronica and Moran returned from their stroll.
Ellinor stood up and asked, âSo, any luck finding a kite stall?â
With her cheeks blushing from holding hands with Moran, Veronica shook her head regretfully. âMoran and I circled the whole area, but we couldnât find any kite stalls. The kite we saw earlier must have been brought from home.â
Ellinor sighed and turned to Adrian. âSince we couldnât find any, Mommy will order one online when we get home. We can come back here to fly it next time, okay?â
Adrian was clearly disappointed and mumbled, âOh⦠okay.â
He had really been hoping to meet the owner of that kite.