Chapter 715
Sweet Subterfuge
When they got in the car, Larissa patted Asterâs back and said, âAlright, you can look up now.â
Aster looked up from Larissaâs neck, showing his red and puffy eyes. He stared with curiosity at everything in the car, including the strange old man sitting beside Larissa, âMommy, who is this person? He poked Larissaâs arm and spoke in a low tone.
Gary panicked a little when he was singled out by Aster.
Gary stammered, but his tongue seemed to be tied. He couldnât even string a sentence together.
Larissa completed his sentence for him. âHe is my father, and your grandpa.â
Aster took in what Larissa said without difficulty. He turned to Gary and greeted him with a sweet smile, âGrandpa Garyâs body jerked involuntarily at how easily Aster accepted him. Tears welled in his eyes, and Garyâs lips trembled as he replied in a hoarse voice. âNice to meet you. Aster!
Apart from the day when they were reunited, Larissa had not seen Gary in such an emotional state.
Touched by the emotional scene, she lowered her head and told Aster, âGrandpa likes you very much.
Can you let Grandpa give you a hug?â
Aster wasnât afraid of strangers. He looked at Gary and nodded. âSure!â
Gary was taken by surprise for a second time. He blinked, and tears immediately rolled down his cheeks.
Aster exclaimed, âMommy! Grandpaâs crying!â He struggled to get out of Larissaâs arms and sat on Garyâs lap, wiping the tears away from his eyes.
âGrandpa, donât cry! buy you something yummy! I have lots of pocket money! Iâll give you half of it alright?
Aster comforted him in a gentle voice, but the tears continued falling uncontrollably from Garyâs eyes.
Struggling to squeeze out a smile, Gary said in a trembling voice, âI donât need your pocket money. Iâm just so happy to see you, Aster.â
âWhy would you cry if youâre happy? Aster asked, puzzled, but no one could answer his question.
Fortunately, Gary managed to compose himself after some time. With Aster on his lap, they chaltered away happily.
Most of their conversation was focused on Asterâs day. Regardless of how childish the topic was or how bland the jokes were. Gary listened to Asterâs words with full concentration, his eyes twinking with happiness.
Larissa had no chance to join the conversation. Although the three of them were sitting in the backseat, it seemed as if she were separated from them by an invisible wall.
Larissa felt a little jealous at how close they seemed, but she was mostly grateful for that.
Larissa thought. âThings couldnât be better right now.â
This was what she always wantedâa harmonious and loving family life.
Lewis had to make a few trips to move all the toys from the car trunk into Larissaâs home.
Aster ran around his playroom in glee. Finally, he ran up to Gary. Wrapping his arms around Garyâs neck, he kissed his cheek in gratitude.
Gary couldnât help but smile widely at Asterâs delight, his eyes crinkling.
âOpen up the bones and see if you like the toys,â he urged. Alas, Aster didnât comply.
âAll these toys I want to wait for Daddy to arrive first, then we can play together.â
Aster stared at the toys eagerly, but he did not move to open the boxes.
When Aster spoke those words, everyone in the living room was stunned.
âDaddy?â Gary furrowed his brows. Turning to Larissa, he asked, âWho is Asterâs father?â