Chapter 494

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In the west lake village.

Reaching the entrance, Raegan saw Annis strolling across the yard, holding Janey. Annis gently stroked Janey's back, trying to calm her down.

Seeing this, Raegan ran over, shouting, "Janey!"

Janey screamed, "Mom..."

Janey's face was red as if she had been crying for a long time. His long eyelashes were dry and stuck together, giving him a pitiful look.

Raegan's heart ached as she reached out to hug Janey.

“Janey!” Mitchel's voice was heavy with sadness as he called Janey.

When Janey saw Mitchel, her eyes widened and sparkled.

She cried harder: "Dad, you're still here..."

Mitchel reached out to hug Janey, smiling. He reassured her: "Dad is fine, it's not that easy to break."

Janey clung to Mitchel's neck, scanning him from head to toe through her teary eyes. He seemed to be checking to see if Mitchel was hurt.

Raegan watched her, feeling a pang of sadness. Before, Janey only had eyes for her. Now, Janey was showing concern for Mitchel.

Although Raegan was aware of Janey's unwavering love for her, a hint of jealousy washed over her. He found himself motionless, recognizing the cause of his jealousy.

Raegan wondered if she should let Janey get so attached to Mitchel. She was afraid that if Mitchel ever had to make a difficult decision, it would end up hurting Janey.

Janey scrutinized Mitchel's face and found no flaws, which lifted her spirits. He happily placed his hands on Mitchel's cheeks and planted a big kiss on his face.

Mitchel's heart swelled with joy.

Janey asked, "Dad, why did you faint earlier?"

«I didn't eat enough and I fainted due to lack of strength.

Remember, Janey, eating on time is important..." Carrying Janey, Mitchel entered the house, his expression serious as he spoke softly.

As they walked inside, Mitchel whispered something to Janey that made her giggle.

Annis watched, somewhat amazed. Dixon has a real gift for interacting with children. I tried to cheer Janey up for a long time to no avail.

Raegan's brow furrowed at this. At times, the family bond was undeniable. Janey had many male figures in her life, like Erick, Stefan and her grandfather... Despite the affection of these men, Mitchel held a special place in her heart. Their bond seemed natural and effortless. Was it true, as Janey's psychologist suggested, that a father's love was irreplaceable, despite the presence of other caring male figures?

However, Raegan recalled that the psychologist had pointed out that children would likely thrive under the care of loving parents. With so many misunderstandings and hurts between them, how could they nourish love again?

Inside the room.

Janey was exceptionally attached to Mitchel that afternoon, wanting his hug for everything except when she had to go to the bathroom.

Mitchel looked at Janey fondly, appreciating the time they spent together.

However, Raegan noticed that Mitchel was not in the best of health, and she could see beads of sweat on his forehead when she leaned over him. It was clear that he had not fully recovered from his previous ordeal.

But he continued smiling and attending to Janey.

Raegan walked over and gently took Janey into her arms, saying softly, “Janey, it's getting late. Bath time and bed time.

Janey was reluctant to part with Mitchel. She put her arms around Raegan's neck, softly pleading, "Mom, is it okay if Dad stays over tonight?"

Janey's request caught Raegan off guard. He remained motionless, while Mitchel waited for his response with hopeful eyes.

Mitchel's face was noticeably pale. It lacked color.

A wave of anguish washed over Raegan. Recognizing that she felt sorry for him again, she felt a wave of alarm. She reminded herself not to let her emotions get the better of her.

Regaining her composure, Raegan responded to Janey, "No."

Janey was puzzled and asked, “Erick stays over sometimes. Why not dad?

Raegan responded, "Erick is part of our family, so it's different for him."

Raegan's statement struck a chord in Mitchel's heart. He felt as if his heart was bleeding. His face, already pale, lost even more color.

Janey was still confused and asked, "Isn't Dad part of our family too?" My classmate told me that his parents are the closest people to him. Why doesn't the same happen with me?

Raegan was speechless. How could he explain that his relationship with Mitchel was no longer so close?

Luckily, Mitchel intervened. He gently stroked Janey's head, maintaining a smile as he said softly, “Janey, it's late. "You should listen to your mommy and go to sleep."

Janey had more questions, but she could tell that Mitchel was a little tired. Reluctantly, Raegan, meeting Mitchel's gaze, remained silent as she led Janey to the bathroom.

Annis came to help with Janey's bath. When Raegan went to get Janey's pajamas, she noticed that Mitchel was still standing in the entryway. She looked at him with a frown. "Why haven't you left yet?"

Mitchel looked back at her with a worried expression and asked in a hoarse voice, "Raegan, would you mind walking me out?"

Raegan's initial impulse leaned toward the negative.

Noting the paleness of Mitchel's face, Raegan refrained from speaking harshly and instead asked, "Have you asked Matteo to pick you up?" Mitchel did not appear to be in any condition to drive.

Mitchel paused briefly and then a slight smile crossed his face as he softly replied, “Yes.”

Annoyed by his smile, Raegan coldly responded by dousing him with a bucket of ice water: “Don't get your hopes up. It's just that I don't want you to leave my house and get into half-hearted trouble, for which I would have to take responsibility.

Suppressing his smile, Mitchel nodded.

"Don't move," Raegan instructed before heading to the bathroom in Janey's pajamas.

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