Although he knew he was not as important as Adina to the children, the difference should not be that great, right?
Adina found it amusing too. She stroked each of the childrenâs heads before she softly said, âAll of you stay at home and listen to Grandma. Daddy and Mommy will be back in a while, understand?â
Alden nodded obediently. âDonât worry, Mommy. Iâll take good care of Mel.â
George pursed his lips and said, âMommy, Iâll hang out with my brothers and sister. Donât worry about us.â Harold waved at her. âBye, Mommy. Mel and I are going to play the piano!â When Adina saw that the kids were carefree and Aldenâs gaze was especially relaxed, she felt slightly relieved. She got in the car with Duke before she turned to the side and sincerely said, âThank you.â
âI understand your concerns.â Duke drove as he said, â Alden is actually the most mature among the four kids. Heâs brilliant and intelligent. Plus, heâs very sensitive . His attention is completely on you and Mel. Heâll remember anything that happens to any of you. Thatâs not a good thing for a four-year-old boy.â Adina looked down. âItâs my fault. Iâve been negligent. If I had been strong enough, Alden wouldnât have been forced to grow up so early.â âItâs not your fault. Itâs my fault.â Dukeâs voice was deep. âIf I had known about Alden and Mel, the three of you wouldnât have suffered so much.â
They were at a junction with a red light. When he said that, he turned to the side and stared at Adina.
There was a glint in his dark eyes, and Adinaâs side profile was reflected in his pupils.
His gaze was so affectionate that it made Adinaâs heart pound very fast.
She dared not even look into his eyes because she was worried that she would drown in them.
She clenched her fists and immediately changed the subject. âOh yeah, about the childrenâs education that I brought up last night, have you thought about it?â
Duke held the steering wheel and said, âI respect all your opinions, and I also respect the kidsâ choice.
If George and Harold agree to attend preschool, I wonât oppose it.â Adina smiled faintly. âOkay, Iâll find a time and ask the Iwo of them.â
The car soon arrived at the hospital.
It was the most prestigious military hospital in Sea City.
The doctor performed a full body checkup on Adina. Following that, he held a checklist and said, âMs.
Daugherty, there is still some anesthetic left in your system, but it will be gone from your body in about three days. So, you donât have to be too nervous.â
When the doctor said that, Duke could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Adina and Duke walked side by side as they left the doctorâs office, and they happened to pass by the emergency room. The hospitalâs emergency room was full of people all the time. Adina had initially wanted to avoid it, but she suddenly saw a familiar figure. Her pupils shrank dramatically, and she subconsciously clenched her fists on both sides. Duke followed her gaze, and his intent look was filled with hostility. âDew Daugherty? Why is she in the hospital?â
Adina pursed her lips. âI have no idea.â
However, she learned the reason very soon because many who were waiting in the emergency room started to talk about her.
âThatâs an inmate. I heard that she has a stomach ache, so sheâs been urgently sent here for emergency treatment.â
âWhen a woman has a stomach ache like that, itâs likely because sheâs pregnant.â
âIf an inmateâs pregnant, does that mean her sentence will be reduced?â