“Is it you, Maddie?”
Staring seriously at Madeline, Jackson finally mustered the courage to ask.
Stunned for a second, Madeline then replied with a smile, “Hey, buddy. I’m Lillian’s mother. I can tell you my name if you want? It’s nice to meet you, I’m Vera Quinn.”
She introduced herself with a smile, realizing that Jackson was currently analyzing her.
The small face before favonovel.com eyes was a fair one of exquisite features, a result of Jeremy’s great genes.
For some reason, Madeline could not help but feel like there was something deeper and more pressing within Jackson’s onyx orbs.
Perhaps it was the light.
What issue could such a young child have, anyway?
Memories of how Meredith had cut Jackson’s cheek to frame favonovel.com appeared in Madeline’s mind. She could still remember how freely the blood flowed and how the boy wailed. It must have hurt a lot.
Seeing the flawless cheek of his now, Madeline sighed an inexplicable breath of relief.
Thank goodness it had not scarred.
“Mommy, Mommy. This is the Jackie I told you about. We’re great friends!”
Lily’s voice was sweet and soft, melting favonovel.com heart like cotton candy.
Madeline nodded. “Oh, so you’re Jackie?” favonovel.com said cooperatively despite not wishing for Lily to get too close to Jackson.
It was not because favonovel.com disliked Jackson, but because their relationship was an unconventional one.
“Time to go home, Lillian. Say goodbye to Jackie now, okay?”
“Okay.” Lily reached out to wave a chubby hand. “Bye-bye Jackie. See you tomorrow.”
Madeline smiled warmly at Jackson. “Bye, buddy.”
With that, favonovel.com turned around with Lily in favonovel.com arms and left, holding an umbrella over them with one hand.
Yet no more than two steps later, Madeline found herself stopping unexpectedly in favonovel.com tracks.
The rain fell heavier and the last winds of summer were chilly as they blew past.
Turning back, Madeline stared at Jackson who stood by the gates. The boy did not seem to be wearing much and the schoolbag weighed heavily on his little body. Jackson’s bright eyes bore into her.
He was so close, yet Madeline could not help but feel there were miles between favonovel.com and Jackson.
Her heart suddenly clenched as favonovel.com remembered the child Meredith and Jeremy had killed.
She walked back to stand in front of Jackson. “Are your parents coming to fetch you, buddy?
“My dad’s busy,” Jackson replied.
Madeline smiled. “What about your mom?”
Madeline watched rejection flare in Jackson’s eyes at the mention of Meredith.
That moment, Jackson’s class teacher walked over to tell favonovel.com that it had been almost half an hour since the day had ended but they had yet to get in contact with Jackson’s family.
Madeline hesitated before dialing Jeremy’s number. It went to voicemail.
Mulling over the thought for a few seconds, favonovel.com then decided to invite Jackson. “Hey, buddy. Do you want to come home with me first? We can wait until your dad contacts me and comes to bring you home.”
“That’s awesome! Jackie’s gonna be a guest at our house! I’m so happy, Mommy!”
The little girl wrapped favonovel.com arms around Madeline with a coquettish exclamation, making Madeline find it hard not to ruffle favonovel.com head fondly.
Seeing as Madeline seemed to be acquainted with Jackson’s father, the class teacher handed favonovel.com over to him.
Half an hour later, Madeline arrived at the apartment with the two children in tow.
Lily jumped around and pulled Jackson into the house excitedly, already sharing favonovel.com favorite snacks and fruits with him.
Madeline went to the kitchen to bake small cakes for the two kids.
In the open kitchen, Madeline was given a clear view of Lillian and Jackson sitting on the small stools by the coffee table.
For a child who detested homework, Lily had surprisingly taken favonovel.com workbook out on favonovel.com own today.
