Chapter 139 I Assumed You Abandoned Me
Back then, Arissa slept with Benjamin errantly after an elaborate set-up. However, she did not want to go into detail with Gavin that day.
So, she lowered her body and held on to Gavin’s tiny shoulders. In an earnest tone, she explained, “You’re still too young. I’ll explain it to you when you’re older. For now, just know that I love you all.”
With a soft touch, Arissa gently caressed Gavin’s cheek.
He smiled coyly in return and said, “Now, I know. Before this, I assumed you abandoned me.”
Instantly, a sharp pain tore through Arissa’s heart. Guilt-ridden, she pulled Gavin into an embrace right away and comforted him, “It’s all my fault. I failed to protect you!” Arissa knew if she had been more careful, Danna would have had no chance to nab him.
“Mommy, I don’t blame you at all. The baddies were just too evil!” uttered Gavin, who had his brows tightly knit in a bunch. When he had a look of hostility swept across his face, one could clearly see that Gavin took after Benjamin indeed.
Arissa knew Danna would not let her off so easily. The latter was even mean to Jasper.
Overwhelmed by emotions, she drew a deep breath. In a bittersweet tone, she muttered, “Thank you, Sweetheart.”
After kissing Gavin on his cheek, she felt a warm assurance as he stroked her hair consolingly.
“Mommy, I didn’t know that vicious woman was not my real mommy before. I only know she doesn’t love me. In fact, it’s a relief to know that she isn’t my real mommy!” blurted Gavin.
Arissa’s heart was in turmoil once again, as she saw how sensible Gavin was. This was despite the fact that he was deprived of motherly love from such a young age.
“Sweetheart, has she been mean to you?” asked Arissa. With much care, she lifted Gavin and placed him on her lap. As they sat on the rocking chair in the garden, Arissa couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.
In response, Gavin shook his head. “Well, she’s mean to me sometimes.”
After Gavin noticed Arissa’s worried expression, he felt elated that she cared for him. He went on, “Daddy does not like it when I’m out alone with her. Well, she isn’t fond of me either. It’s clear that she’s making use of me to get close to Daddy.”
As such, Danna was just another acquainted adult in Gavin’s life, with no emotional attachment.
When she heard that, Arissa stroked Gavin’s head again. “Sweetheart, I am sorry!”
“It’s okay, Mommy. I don’t blame you at all. Daddy has been protective of me,” comforted Gavin as he wrapped his arms around Arissa in a hug.
Conscience-stricken, Arissa felt worse when she realized how doting Gavin was.
Back then, the consequences would have been dire if Danna had not brought Gavin to Benjamin. The thought of that made Arissa so emotional that she hugged Gavin even tighter than before.
At that moment, her phone rang. She looked at the phone and realized it was Zachary on the line.
Gavin peeked at the phone and chirped, “It’s Zachary!”
Arissa settled herself down and answered the call with a slight smile, “Hi, Sweetheart!”
“Mommy, are you turning in soon?” asked Zachary on the line.
“Well, not yet. I’m taking a stroll in the garden with Gavin,” answered Arissa softly.
Zachary went on, “Have you guys had your dinner?”
“Yes, we ate. Mr. Hinton bought plenty of delicious food,” replied Arissa.
“Mommy, how is Benjamin treating you?” Oliver hollered.
Arissa couldn’t help but break into a smile. “Not too bad!”
Jasper joined in, too. “Mommy, how long will you be there?”
“Just a few days. Be good and obey Mr. Hinton. Don’t be mischievous, understand?” said Arissa.
“Mommy, are you in some kind of trouble?” Zachary asked worriedly, as he found it peculiar that Arissa needed to be there for a few days.
“Well, my boss thinks the kidnappers may strike again. For my safety, he wants me to stay put here first,” quipped Arissa.
Zachary replied skeptically, “Mommy, are you lying to me?”
Meanwhile, Gavin found it queer the longer he looked at Arissa. He had a hunch that she wasn’t telling the truth.
“Why would I lie to you?” Arissa smiled again.
“Mommy? Let’s chat for a while more,” gushed Jesse meekly.
Arissa agreed to Jesse lovingly, and she chatted with them for a while more. After some time, she finally ended the call.
“Mommy, are you in some predicament?” asked Gavin, with his forehead knitted tightly in a frown.
Arissa rubbed his forehead and replied, “Nope, everything is fine.”
Gavin wasn’t about to give up. He pressed on, “Mommy, is someone trying to kidnap you again?”
Looking at Gavin, Arissa realized how intelligent he was. However, she was hesitant about telling him the truth.
“Tell me the truth, Mommy! I won’t tell the rest,” urged Gavin with furrowed brows.
“Don’t overthink it. Mommy is fine,” replied Arissa, as she playfully pinched his cheeks. “Let’s go back now. We’ll see if Daddy is free now.”
Gavin’s eyes lit up brightly like glittery stars in the dark sky. “Are you finally going to tell Daddy?”
