He paused in the middle of the stairs.
A hint of mischief glinted in his eyes.
Continuing to make his way down the stairs, he said slowly, âYou didnât call me old when I carried you around all the time.
We were in the car last time and you were sitting on my lap, and the car started shaking pretty soon.
â
Lauraâs face burned hot with embarrassment.
She hurriedly covered Leylaâs ears.
âWhat are you saying? Thereâs a child right here!â
âItâs not like she can understand me.
Sheâs still so young.
â
Edwin walked over and sat down beside her, picking up his niece in his arms.
He and Laura had been married for so many years now.
She knew him Like the back of her own hand.
Edwin hadnât said a word, but she knew Dylan occupied his thoughts.
Laura said nothing and instead focused on thinking about their sonâs birthday celebration.
As they were both lost in their own heads, Edwin broke the silence.
âOlivia came and told us about Dylan, but she didnât say anything about the death of Raphaelâs mother.
Her secretary called and informed me that Olivia had gone to the hospital with Leyla.
She came there to let Raphaelâs mother see Leyla before she passed away.
â
Laura was stunned.
There was a long stretch of silence before she murmured, âShe didnât say anything about that.
â
Edwin stroked her hair and sighed, âI think Olivia has completely moved on.
Mom and Dad are not in Duefron, so you and I would have to attend the funeral.
If only for Leylaâs sake.
â
He lowered his head and planted a soft kiss on Leylaâs face.
Laura looked at him with wide eyes, almost in disbelief.
He smiled gently at her.
âWhatâs wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?â
Laura hesitated for a moment, but decided to muster her courage and tell the truth.
âI was just surprised.
I didnât think you would say that.
Youâre being so generous to them, Edwin.
â
âWhy is that surprising? Am I not generous enough to you?â he teased.
âWhen you heard that Dylan was still alive, you were even more excited than Olivia.
And donât even bother denying it.
You and I both know I know you better than that.
Care to explain that to me?â
Laura zipped her mouth, not daring to provoke him anymore.
Edwin watched her lower her head quietly.
After some moments, he said softly, âThe truth is, Iâm also really happy that Dylan is still alive.
â
Laura was momentarily shocked at his honesty, but then nodded, tears filling her eyes.
Edwin put the pamphlet on her knees aside and held her in his arms.
Squashed in between them, Leyla struggled and let out dissatisfied sounds of complaint.
It was a heartwarming sight.
Only a few people knew that Dylan was still alive, and they kept quiet about this matter.
After all, they only knew that he was not dead.
They still had to find him.
Olivia was dying to get him back.
He had been so close, but he escaped her grasp.
Still, she didnât want to use her connections to track him, Just as Edwin said, if Dylan wanted to come back, he would do it on his own.
Forcing him back would only worsen things.
But even as it made sense in her mind, no logic could soothe her longing.
At night, she stood on the balcony of the second floor, looking out into the darkness.
After a while, Laura came to accompany her.
âThe kids are all sleeping.
Scott wanted to sleep with Leyla because she was so adorable.
But Leyla seems to like Myrna better.
â
Edwin and Laura had two children.
Scott was their eldest, and then they had Myrna.
Laura was the one who picked this name for their daughter.
Edwin and Laura loved their children very much, especially Myrna.
Her coming into their lives linked Edwin and Laura more closely.
A gentle expression took over Lauraâs face as she spoke about her children.
She was fortunate to have a loving husband and welcoming in-laws.
She was no longer young, but there was still a pure and kind air about her.
She looked almost the same as she did back in her younger days.