NovelBookEddie smiled softly, giving York's hair a gentle ruffle.
“Admitting your mistakes takes more courage than most adults have, you know.”
With the matter settled, Alessia finally moved things along. “It’s getting late. Let's get going.”
Eddie nodded, and soon the three of them-plus Rex, their loyal dog-were tucked into the back seat again. This
time, everyone was calm and quiet, making for a smooth ride all the way to the art studio.
For York, it was his first visit, and everything seemed new and fascinating.
Having learned from last time, Ivan no longer clung to Alessia’s side. He was content to settle in and lose himself
in his painting.
Eddie sat beside him, working on his own projects and chatting with Ivan every now and then. He didn’t pepper
the boy with questions or crowd him, giving Ivan the room he needed to breathe.
Alessia took a seat in the lounge area, picking up the she hadn't finished last time. York, however, looked
longingly at the studio, clearly wanting to join the others, but Alessia held him back. So, boy and dog sat side by
side next to her, both wearing the sbored, slightly sulky expression.
“Told you you'd be bored,” Alessia said, her tone making it clear: You insisted on coming, remember.
York sprawled across the table, one cheek squished adorably against the wood.
“How long do we have to stay here?”
“All day. If you're bored, | can call Dawson to cpick you up.”
“No way! That woman's been losing her mind ever since she got back. She's always yelling-drivescrazy. |
don’t want to go home.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
“Does she ever give you real trouble?”
York puffed out his chest. “She wouldn't dare. She just takes it out on Dawson and the others-always finding fault
with something. But!” His eyes lit up suddenly, a mischievous glint appearing.
“Before | left, | kicked her bedroom door and warned her: if she goes nuts again, I'll bring a few snakes back to
scare her!”
14:42D
Chapter 163
Alessia ruffled his hair again. If it were Max, she really might have believed him capable of that.
“There are sballs over there-why don’t you take Rex and play outside in the yard for a bit?”
As long as he wasn’t being sent home, York was happy with anything. He hopped off his chair, grabbed a ball,
and called for Rex to follow him out into the garden.
Alessia glanced up to make sure the boy and the dog were still within sight, then returned to her book, settling in
comfortably.
Inside the studio, the tall windows framed the whole garden like a living painting. Ivan only had to turn his head
to spot York and Rex pressed up against the glass, peering inside.
Eddie, for his part, had never met the
second Tate boy before. With Max as
a reference point, red@xpected itl
operto be Ae as val En now,
seeing York's round face comically
squished against the window, he
couldn't help but smile. The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
He closed his book and nudged Ivan.
Ivan glanced over. Eddie tipped his chin toward the window, signaling for Ivan to look outside.
York, catching Ivan’s attention, grew
even more animated—pulling Sot
outing expels: early
tying t 2x Ivan outside to play.
But with the glass muffling
everything, Ivan couldn't hear a thing.
After a moment, Ivan looked away and returned to his painting.
York pouted but didn’t push it. Instead, he began playing in the garden with Rex, making the best of it.
Eddie's gaze shifted back to Ivan’s work, his smile growing even warmer.
“Ivan,” he said gently, “have you ever
wanted to make more friends? You
know, have days like your brofierand
RAN Ch gouYbadkpack to
SEO! aughing with classmates,
buying snacks together on the way
home, and meeting up to hang out on
weekends. Just like you're playing
with York now.” The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Ivan blinked, his eyes drifting back to the window where York was running wild in the garden, ball in hand, Rex
bounding at his heels. There was laughter on York's face-a freedom and joy Ivan had never truly known.
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