James adored Timmy.
The little girl was sweet, innocent, and full of life. Her carefree running and jumping around could brighten anyone's mood.
Sometimes, he thought about how nice it would be to have a daughter like her.
But... it wasn't the right time.
James wasn't ready to be a father yet.
Being a father was completely different from being an uncle.
As an uncle, all he needed to do was spoil her rotten, make her laugh, and shower her with affection.
As a father, though, he'd have to worry about her meals, her clothes, her health, her education, her future... He'd have to devote himself fully and take complete responsibility for her life.
And James didn't think he was capable of thatânot yet.
You can't promise what you can't deliver.
So, once again, he chose silence.
Amanda noticed his hesitation and smiled lightly. Her voice was airy as she said, "Silly little brother, I was just joking. Don't overthink it."
James knew she wasn't joking.
If he'd decided to be with this woman, then her daughter was something he'd have to face eventually.
Rather than letting her keep her feelings bottled up, it was better to lay everything out in the open.
"Sis, I'd love to be Timmy's dad, but..."
Before he could finish, Amanda gently placed a hand over his mouth, stopping him from explaining further.
"You don't need to say anything. I understand your difficulties," she said with a soft smile. "I don't have any unrealistic expectations. Having an uncle like you is already enough for Timmy."
Deep down, Amanda understood the truth.
A wealthy young man like James, regardless of his own wishes, would never be allowed by his family to adopt a non-biological daughter.
Their relationship was destined to remain in the shadows.
At home, maybe Timmy could call him "Dad," but outside, he'd only ever be her "Uncle."
And that kind of duplicity would only confuse Timmy and hurt her more. It was better for her to just stick with "Uncle" from the start.
When Amanda had asked that question earlier, it wasn't without a trace of hope.
If James could truly be Timmy's father, if he could bring them both out of the shadows and let them live proudly under the sun, how wonderful that would be.
But reality was always harsh. In his deep, conflicted eyes, Amanda saw his struggle, his hesitation.
So, she backed off.
An uncle was good enough. She should be content with that.
James had no idea what Amanda was thinking.
All he saw was her understanding, her gentleness, and her willingness to comfort him even after he had essentially rejected her.
This made him feel a little guilty.
But being a father wasn't something you could just decide on a whim.
Timmy wasn't his biological child, and he wasn't used to the idea of her suddenly calling him "Dad."
But he didn't want to hurt Amanda, either.
After some thought, he wrapped his arm around Amanda's waist and, with a firm and resolute tone, said:
"Sis, how about... you have a baby with me?"
"!!!"
Amanda froze, utterly stunned.
She had imagined countless responses from him but never in her wildest dreams had she expected him to say this.
She stared at James, her face a mixture of shock and bewilderment.
"If we had our own child, then I could naturally become Timmy's father too," James said, feeling proud of his clever solution.
"Our child?" Amanda asked, still in a daze.
She had always focused on Timmy, never once considering herself.
"Yes," James nodded.
"Sis, don't you know? Out of all the women in the world, you're the only one who's ever made my heart race."
"I love you. And because I love you, I also love Timmy."
"I want to give you and Timmy a proper home."
James's heartfelt words left Amanda deeply moved. She wanted so badly for all of it to be true.
After spending so long in darkness, she desperately longed to return to the light.
But she hesitated. "Don't you care about what people might say about us?"
"Of course I care. But you're my woman, so what does a little gossip matter?" James smiled. "Besides, if we have our own child, and Timmy becomes a big sister, she can't keep calling me 'Uncle,' right? That'd be way too confusing!"
Amanda couldn't help but laugh softly at his playful reasoning.
If things really could be as he saidâif they had their own child, and the three of them could live openly and happily togetherâthen wouldn't all their problems be solved?
But all of it hinged on one thing: this man staying in her life.
"Little brother, will you leave us someday, like he did? Will you abandon us?" Amanda asked cautiously.
James promised, "I won't. I'll take on the responsibility of being a father, raise our children happily, and keep you and Timmy safe."
Amanda's heart swelled with emotion, growing more fervent with each word.
"If you can do that, Sis will follow you for the rest of her life and take care of you," she said, her voice trembling with sincerity.
James smirked mischievously, "Who was the one who just pushed me over earlier?"
Amanda wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, her face glowing with joy as she looked at James. Her smile was radiant.
"Sorry, Sis was wrong," she said gently.
Before James could say anything more, Amanda turned toward the door and called out:
"Timmy, eat your breakfast by yourself. Mommy's going back to sleep for a bit."
And with that, she pushed James back onto the bed.
[System Notification: Amanda's Affection +5]
[Current Affection: 96]
Amanda slept for two more hours. When she finally emerged, her face still carried the flush of earlier, making her look even more captivating.
James, on the other hand, was sitting at the dining table, his legs weak, barely able to stay upright.
This wouldn't do.
He absolutely, absolutely needed to get his hands on that "super physique" upgradeâno matter what it took. Even if it meant bluffing his way into it.
"Uncle, did Mommy hit you?"
Timmy ran over and, seeing James looking drained, reached out her tiny hand to pat his cheek sympathetically.
"Mommy's really scary in the morning. Timmy doesn't even dare disturb her," the little girl said solemnly.
"Yes, Mommy's very scary," James agreed, still shaken.
"Next time Mommy hits you, just cry. If you cry, Mommy will stop," Timmy whispered, sharing her "secret strategy."
"What if I can't cry?" James asked, curious.
Timmy, serious as ever, explained, "That won't happen. You just start pretending to cry, and before you know it, the real tears will come out!"
"..."
A child this small already knows how to fake cry?
So it's true what they sayâwomen are born knowing how to cry?
James felt like he had just gained a deeper understanding of women.
"What are you two whispering about so secretly?"
Amanda came out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of warm buns, her expression playful.
"Nothing!" Timmy immediately climbed back into her child-sized chair, sitting properly as she called out sweetly, "Mommy, I want some soup dumplings!"
"Didn't Timmy already eat?" Amanda asked.
"I wanted to wait and eat with Mommy!" Timmy replied sweetly.
Amanda smiled, picking up a dumpling and testing its temperature before placing it on Timmy's plate. "Timmy, you're a big girl now. You need to learn to eat by yourself."
Timmy grabbed the dumpling with her little hands, shaking her head furiously. "Timmy doesn't want to grow up!"
James watched enviously as Amanda wiped Timmy's mouth and peeled her tea egg, the scene filling him with a mix of emotions.
Being a child really was the bestâno worries, no responsibilities, just eating, playing, and having someone take care of you.
And if there was ever a problem, all you had to do was cry.
Amanda noticed James's gaze and smiled as she peeled an egg for him too.
"Little brother, you should eat one too. You need to replenish your strength."