In other words, Rocky was asking Evan to leave.
Evan froze in place.
Right. Summervale is Rockyâs territory, and Nicole is his wife. Itâll be inappropriate if I enter their house.
Yet, he recalled he was here to wait for the news with Nicole. At this moment, Mayaâs matter was of utmost importance.
âYou can take care of her, and Iâll take care of my sons. When Maya is found, Iâll bring them back.â
Not expecting Evan to stay, Rocky grimaced.
If Evan comes in, heâll realize that Nicole lives alone with her two daughters. Will that raise suspicion about the news that Nicole and I are a married couple?
Just as Rocky was lost in his thoughts, Kyle and Juan had pulled Evan toward the elevators.
âMommy, which floor are you staying on?â
This was the first time the two boys had come to this house.
âSixth.â
âDaddy, get in the elevator quickly.â
Rocky came back to his senses and hurried after them.
When the door was unlocked, they entered the house.
While they were taking off their shoes, Evan noticed that there were only three pairs of womenâs house slippers; one pair of adultâs slippers and two pairs of childrenâs slippers. Nicole walked into her bedroom and took out two extra pairs of childrenâs slippers, which she had prepared a long time ago, for Kyle and Juan. She then turned to Rocky and Evan.
âSorry. I donât have any menâs slippers. I hope you donât mind being barefooted.â
Evan raised a brow. How come Rocky doesnât have house slippers here? Does he not live here?
Only then did he pay attention to the items in the house. Womenâs products were everywhere, and there were no signs of a man living in the house.
Theyâre not staying together?
Is the couple living separately?
His curious gaze landed on Rocky, who mumbled an excuse, âWeâve just finished with the renovations, so she moved in here first.â
Then, as if he were the man of the house, Rocky sat down beside Nicole.
On the other hand, Nicole was in a daze as she held onto a cup of warm water. She was not in the mood to listen to their conversation. All she could think of was Mayaâs chubby face.
In her mind, Maya was pouting.
She was smiling.
She was helping her with housework, her plump body moving around clumsily.
She was chomping on a piece of cake.
Her eyes lit up at the sight of drumsticks.
â¦
As the images kept flashing across her mind, Nicole could not stop the tears from streaming down her face.
Suddenly, she raised her head to look at them. âDo you think Maya might be hungry? Will she cry from hunger?â
For a moment, she thought she heard Maya wailing from hunger.
âMaya,â Nicole murmured in despair.
The next instant, she burst into tears. Tears were falling from her eyes like pearls escaping a broken necklace. At that moment, she did not care how terrible she might look to her children and the other adults.
Rocky hurriedly consoled Nicole, âWeâll find her. We definitely will.â
Evanâs heart wrenched in pain, and he turned to look out the window at the distant horizon. His fingers clenched into fists as he swore to himself, If we find Maya, Iâll bring her to eat KFC and desserts, or anything she likes.
â¦
âDarling, whatâs your name?â
âIâm Maya.â
âWhere do you live?â
âIn an apartment. A posh apartment.â
The woman fell silent.
There are so many posh apartments. Essentially, she didnât answer the question.
âWhat are your parentsâ phone numbers? Why donât I ask them to pick you up?â
Maya stuck out her tongue cheekily as she did not remember their phone numbers.
Her stomach was grumbling. So hungry.
âIf you buy me drumsticks, Iâll tell you.â
The woman was at a loss for words again.
She propped her cheek on one hand and sighed while looking at the chubby girl.
Is this girl trying to mess with me?
She had just asked for strawberry cookies and lollipops with patterns. Now, she wants drumsticks.
Youâre a missing child. Can you at least look the part?
âPretty miss, you can buy me two drumsticks and a cup of milk tea. I can finish them.â
Maya held up two chubby fingers. Her eyes lit up as she licked her lips with a smile.
She looked adorable, and it melted the womanâs heart.