Chapter 174
Stacey took the children to play in the residential area’s playground for a long time and only headed home at eight o’clock in the evening. Upon arriving home, Stacey gave Marie and Gwen extra pay for their overtime and asked them to help look after Jeremy while also caring for Lillian and Kevin. She needed them to bathe Jeremy ton, Marie and Gwen had been working at Carter Villa for over a year and were quite comfortable in their jobs. The pay was good, and they were treated well. So, when Stacey offered them extra pay and asked them to look after Jeremy, they readily agreed. After making these arrangements, Stacey asked Marie and Gwen to give the kids a both. Lillian and Kevin were washed first, with Jeremy being the last. The Hoggard family’s driver had delivered Jeremy’s clothes half an hour earlier, so they didn’t have to worry about him not having anything to wear.
Stacey also went back to her room and took a shower. When everyone was done with their baths, it was time to sleep. Stacey thought, Jeremy is only three years old, so it will be impossible for him to sleep alone in a room. What if he got scared? Besides, be’s very clingy to me! The thought of how Jeremy had ried when he came here made her heart ache.
After careful consideration, Stacey decided that all three children would sleep with her at night. Her bed had already been replaced with a larger one. Although it would be a bit more crowded with an additional person, there was still enough space. Jeremy was thrilled at the thought of sleeping with Becky at night. His eyes sparkled with joy as he settled into bed with Lillian and Kevin, behaving exceptionally well. Stacey smiled, climbed into bed, and took out a storybook. She began reading a bedtime story to the three children.
Lillian, the most lively one, frequently interrupted with her endless questions. Kevin, who was very obedient, enjoyed listening to the story and would become a bit upset by her interruptions. He would gently pull at her to stop so Stacey could continue reading. This was Jeremy’s first time hearing Becky tell a bedtime story. He didn’t fuss or make a scene. He simply sat quietly, filled with joy. After finishing the story, Stacey gently reminded the children that it was time to sleep, as usual.
Lillian and Kevin, already accustomed to this routine, quickly lay down without fuss. Jeremy also lay down obediently bur couldn’t help but notice the comforting scent of Becky’s body wash on the blanket. He found it soothing and thought of it as a motherly fragrance. He longed for a mother like Becky and not that woman. As he thought about this, Jeremy pressed his lips tightly together, as if making a silent vow.
Stacey, unaware of Jeremy’s thoughts, noticed that the children had fallen asleep. She turned off the room light before lying down beside them. Soon, she was asleep as well, likely due to exhaustion. However, it wasn’t an easy task sleeping with the children. Kevin woke her up in the middle of the night, needing to go to the bathroom. Stacey rubbed her sleepy eyes.. turned on the light, and took Kevin to the bathroom.
When Stacey finished taking Kevin to the bathroom and carried him back, she suddenly heard crying. Startled, she quickly went to check on the child in the bed and found Jeremy crying in his sleep. “Jeremy?” she called softly. Stacey nudged him gently and used the most soothing voice she could manage, asking. Jeremy, what’s wrong?”
Jeremy groggily woke up from her nudge and stared blankly at Becky. Jeremy’s eyes resembled black grapes, but at that moment, they seemed freshly washed and still glistening with moisture. Hurriedly, Stacey carefully wiped away his tears. She climbed onto the bed, lay down beside him, and asked softly, “Did you have a nightmare?” Jeremy mused, ‘A nightmare? He thought about the woman in his dream and nodded.
Stacey, unsure of what exactly Jeremy had dreamed, instinctively wanted to comfort him and asked, “Did you have a bad dream? Can you tell me about it?” As she spoke, Stacey reached for the writing tablet on the nightstand and gently handed it to Jeremy. Jeremy held the writing tablet but instinctively hesitated. He didn’t want to discuss that woman with Becky. Stacey waited for a while, noticing his reluctance. Without pressing him she remained silent for a moment before leaning down to kiss Jeremy gently and comfort him. She whispered, “Don’t be afraid, Jeremy. I’ll stay with you tonight. We’ll chase the nightmare away together, okay?”
Jeremy looked at her. He thought seriously and then nodded heavily. Stacey gently kissed his forehead once more and said softly, “All right, go back to sleep. Don’t be afraid. I’ll stay right by your side.” Jeremy looked at Becky once more and nodded again.
Kevin curiously watched Stacey comforting Jeremy. He thought. How strangel Jeremy is crying again. He’s just like Lily, who always seems to cry: Stacey had finally managed to soothe Jeremy, but she noticed Kevin staring at her intently as she turned. Her heart skipped a beat from the sudden surprise. Quickly, she reached out and gently pressed Kevin down,
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Chapter 174
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whispering, “Kev, it’s time to sleep too, okay?” Kevin was somewhat speechless. He rubbed his eyes, wondering why he didn’t produce tears like Lillian’s and Jeremy’s. He thought, ‘If my eyes water, will Mommy comfort me the same way she does with Jeremy?”
Stacey noticed Kevin rubbing his eyes, which seemed a bit unusual. She wondered, ‘Does Kevin have something in his eye? Is he feeling uncomfortable? Feeling a bit nervous, Stacey quickly asked, “Kev, is something wrong with your eyes? Are you feeling uncomfortable?”
Kevin, being an honest child, replied, “No.” Stacey didn’t know how to reply to that. Kevin thought about it and asked Stacey seriously, “Mommy, why don’t my eyes produce water?”
Stacey was momentarily puzzled and asked, “Water?”
Kevin nodded earnestly. “Yes. Lily’s and Jeremy’s eyes produce water. When there are tears, Mommy, you become especially nice!” The last part was said with a serious tone, and Kevin’s eyes reflected the pure, unmasked envy of a child.
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