In the living room, Alexis was engrossed in a book.
Hearing the bark, she quickly went to the bedroom.
Evelyn, holding Ollie close, softly called out, âMom.
â
Alexis approached Evelyn, ki*sing her gently.
âBaby, itâs time for your medicine,â she said softly.
Evelyn frowned at the thought of the bitter medicine but remained cooperative.
Clutching the puppy, she said, âOllie will have medicine too.
â
Alexis, with patience, explained, âOllie is a puppy.
Puppies donât need medicine.
â
âWhat if it gets sick?â Evelyn asked.
While Alexis pondered a response, Calvin entered with the medicine and a glass of Evelynâs favorite orange juice.
He sat on the bedâs edge, lifting Evelyn and the dog onto his lap.
Evelyn wrapped her arms around Calvin, leaning into his embrace as she took her medicine.
After a while of coaxing from Calvin, he looked at Alexis and smiled warmly.
âSheâs such a good girl.
â
Alexis returned the smile.
âShe listens to you more.
â
As they spoke, someone else appeared at the door.
Alexis looked up to see Leonel.
He had likely entered without announcing himself, as he used to do.
He didnât expect to walk in on such a scene.
The intimacy between Alexis and Calvin was evident, far exceeding what Leonel had expected.
They exchanged tender smiles, resembling a loving couple.
Leonel hesitated for a moment before speaking.
âIâm heading back,â he said.
He glanced at Ollie.
âI came to pick up the dog.
â
Evelyn clung to Ollie, unwilling to let her new friend go.
She gazed at Leonel with pleading eyes.
Leonel had planned to use Ollie to persuade Evelyn, but her look made him rethink his decision.
He was indeed carrying a heavy heart.
Why make things difficult for his daughter though?
Without fully realizing it, he found himself saying, âEvelyn, if you like the puppy, you can keep it.
â
Evelynâs face lit up with joy.
âThank you, Mr.
Douglas.
â
Leonel had hoped for a ki*s from Evelyn, his sweet angel.
But with Calvin still sitting beside her, he hesitated.
Instead, he turned to Alexis.
âI need to talk to you,â he said.
âWalk me out, will you?â
After saying that, Leonel was poised to leave.
Although he had only been with the puppy for a couple of days, it still recognized him as its owner and wanted to go with him.