Chapter 954



Kallie’s eyes were clear and untroubled, as if she were discussing the weather rather than the dissolution of her marriage. Clearly, none of this seemed to faze her.

Jake’s voice grew heavy with displeasure.

“Even if that’s the case, now’s not the time to tell them. Elma just started to cope with everything. What if this upsets her all over again? Can you be here for her every single day?”

Kallie misinterpreted his words, assuming he was trying to get rid of her. And she couldn’t blame him. Her presence was undoubtedly a strain on both Jake and Lacey.

“Alright, I get it,” Kallie replied with a bitter laugh.

At that moment, a knock echoed from the other side of the door.

“Dad? Mom?” Elma’s small voice called out.

“What are you doing in there? Why is the door locked?”

Elma was trying her best to peek through the window, but she was too short to reach. She had a feeling that her parents were finally going to patch things up. And it seemed like she might be right, which was a good thing.

Kallie and Jake quickly regained their composure.

Kallie opened the door and scooped Elma into her arms.

“Alright, sweetheart. Since you want to eat together, I’ll go and get things ready.”

Elma’s eyes lit up.

“Don’t forget my brother and sister!” she chirped.

Find your imagination at galn ovels ; con “We’re a family, and families eat together!”

“Okay,” Kallie agreed, gently tapping Elma’s nose.

The word “family” struck a chord within Jake, awakening a deep longing inside him. Family… A family of his own… With a wife and children gathered around him, it was a picture he could barely imagine. He would give anything, at this moment, to put aside all the hurt and bitterness and simply enjoy a meal with his family.

Once the time was set, Kallie returned to fetch the children. The meal was arranged at a restaurant, but the atmosphere was far from the warm reunion Jake had imagined.

Among the five of them, only Elma seemed genuinely happy. Kallie maintained a composed, neutral expression, while Calvin and Sophie regarded Jake with aloofness that stung, as if he were a stranger.

Calvin’s disdain was written all over his face. Stepping forward protectively, he tugged Elma behind him and warned, “Elma, be careful when you go out. Don’t get fooled by bad people.” Jake immediately recognized who Calvin was referring to.

Despite his anger, Jake could do nothing. He had previously interacted with Calvin and Sophie, but he and Calvin had never shared a proper father-son conversation.

Calvin’s childhood had been devoid of any paternal figure, yet he had grown into a younger mirror of Jake, not just in looks but in his unyielding temperament.

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