Chapter 43
Yana pulled him into her arms, beaming with joy. “What’s your name, darling?”
“I’m Adam.”
“That’s such a lovely name.” Yana affectionately patted his soft little head. “Are you hungry? What do you like to eat? Tell me, I’ll have the chef make it for you.”
“I can’t eat chili or peanuts. Everything else is fine,” replied Adam.
Skylar’s gaze flickered ever so slightly. Peanuts? Just like her.
Yana playfully tapped his nose. “Alright. I will go tell the chef.”
At dinner, the mountain of food in Skylar’s bowl quietly made its way into Adam’s.
Adam looked at his now–full bowl, then at his ‘s, a
and scooped half of it back into hers. “Mommy, let’s share.”
Skylar smiled lightly. “Thank you, Adam. Go on and eat, or it won’t taste as good when it’s cold.”
Adam nodded obediently and wrapped his arms around his bowl–almost as big as his face–digging in with gusto.
Yana watched their exchange with a warm smile. She could tell this kid truly liked Skylar–it showed in every little gesture.
If only he really was part of the family. He was such a sweetheart. She couldn’t get enough of him.
After dinner, Skylar took Adam for a walk in the garden.
After a while, Adam became sleepy. He rubbed his eyes and tugged on her hand. “Mommy, I want to sleep now.”
Skylar scooped him up and brought him to the guest room.
Yana had arranged for the room earlier with the help of the maids. It was completely transformed–full of plush toys, games, building blocks–anything a
child might love.
The boy had already dozed off on the way back. Skylar carefully laid him down, adjusting her movements so she wouldn’t wake him.
She tucked him in and was about to head to her study for an online meeting.
Worried that he might wake up and cry if he didn’t see her, she left instructions with a maid to check on him and, if he woke up, to tell him he could come find her in the study.
Only after that did she feel reassured enough to leave.
Adam woke up an hour later. He sat up, blinking his sleepy eyes, glanced around, and didn’t see Skylar.
He threw off the blanket, slipped on his slippers, and opened the door to go find her. But in the hallway, he ran straight into Freya.
Adam didn’t want to talk to her and pretended not to see her, walking right past. Freya grabbed him and yanked him back.
Her grip choked him, and he winced. Tears welled up in his eyes as he glared at he
“You see me and don’t greet me? Where are your manners?” Freya snapped, furious.
“What are you doing?”
To Freya, her standing in the household had already dropped rock bottom–and now even a kid dared to disrespect her? She wouldn’t take it lying down.
Adam huffed. “I don’t like you. I don’t want to greet you.”
1/2
Chapter 43
“Don’t forget whose house you’re in!” Freya’s face darkened. She wasn’t about to let a brat walk all over her. “You think I can’t kick you out right now?i
“This is Mommy’s house too. Mommy and Grandma like me a lot. They won’t let you do that!” Adam snapped.
Freya tightened her grip on his shoulders. “Clearly your parents didn’t teach you properly. Let me show you how to behave in someone else’s house!
Adam squirmed, trying to break free. “Let go of me!”
“Let’s see how smug you are after this!” Freya raised her hand and smacked him hard on the butt. Again and again, each hit harder than the last.
Adam had never been spanked before. He froze in shock, then bit down hard on her hand in a fit of rage.
Freya screamed. She flung him away, and he tumbled to the ground.
Adam lay there, gasping, like a stranded fish. His eyes rolled back as he struggled for air.
AD
