Chapter 9
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But Isabella’s confidence crumbled the second she saw the homework. She hadn’t realized preschool problems could be this
hard.
Not only could she not teach Samuel properly, she barely understood the questions herself.
“Did you read the questions?” Samuel’s little face scrunched in frustration. “Why aren’t you teaching me? You don’t know either?”
Then he shook his head, muttering. “It’s due tomorrow! The teacher’s scary. If I mess up, Grandpa will cancel all my fun. I thought you and Mom graduated from the same school, but why does it take you so long?”
Samuel’s rapid–fire questions almost pushed Isabella over the edge. But she held it together, guiding him as best as she could, patching together calculations on the fly.
“Really?” Samuel squinted. “This is way easier than Mom’s method.”
“Maybe she just didn’t know how to explain. She makes easy stuff complicated,” Isabella said, bending down to him. “Did you understand that?”
Samuel nodded. Isabella grinned. “See? A good explanation is one you get. Your mom was too rigid. That’s why these past years were so hard for you. A little candy is fine. It’s the moderation matters. She never got it.”
Samuel, five years old, nodded like he’d just discovered a truth. “Yeah! Mom didn’t know anything, and she always wanted to control me. Because Grandpa, Grandma, and Dad didn’t like her, she thought she had to control me instead. That’s why she never stopped.”
“Right,” Isabella reached into her pocket and pulled out a bag of candy. “Look what I’ve brought for you.”
Samuel’s face lit up. He hugged her tightly. “Isabella, I knew you were the best!”
He grabbed the candy, practically bouncing with joy. Isabella patted him on the shoulder. “Eat slowly, okay? I’ll talk to your dad for a moment.”
Samuel popped a piece in his mouth. “Okay! After you talk to Dad, you have to come back and finish yesterday’s story.”
Isabella nodded but internally rolled her eyes. She hadn’t come to babysit. She wanted Logan alone.
Her pace quickened as she searched the house. No luck in the study or upstairs. Finally, Sophie said Logan got called away for work.
Normally, Eliana handled the house and Samuel perfectly. Logan never bothered. But now, knowing he was gone, Isabella’s impatience spiked.
Not wanting to sit and read stories, yet unwilling to leave, she decided she would take Samuel out for late–night snack.
“Really? You’re amazing!” Knowing they were going for some snacks, Samuel grabbed her hand excitedly.
Eliana had never let him eat street food, always citing his weak constitution, and preparing his meals after making sure with his family doctor.
Samuel never understood Eliana. He hated her whenever she refused to take him out. Now for Samuel, Isabella, who was taking him out for those street food, was like an angel.
They left the house to grab some barbecue immediately. And of course, Isabella made everything look perfect. She shot a
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Chapter 9
New photos and posted them outo Der Whats App with the whole three of us eating together vibe
Not soit after all posted it bilan saw the post herself.
Eating street Rd with someone you love? Thats hires warmth.] wrote the post.
Commens Dewgo in Logan’s circle after a few minutes.
(Paced The unbred one is always the outsider, Isabella, you and Logan were legendary. Can’t wait for the sequel!]
The never seen Seed this happy: With that gloomy Eliana, he was always down. Now he’s full of energy/
So sweet. Ond you could get Mr. Eliot himself to join you for street food]
Kabella cheint bother to explain. She just commented: [Thanks everyone, I feel so happyd
wher
Elana’s eyes were calm. She zoomed in on what Samuel was eating, frowned, and switched her phone to airplane mode.
She knew Samuel more than anyone did. With his stomach, tonight, if he didn’t end up in the hospital, sheld eat her hat.
And true to form, Samuel started having stomach trouble not long after arriving home.
Elana wasn’t there, and Logan was still in a meeting. Sophie had no choice but to call Hannah for help
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
