Raeleigh did not wake up until afternoon. When she woke up, Santiago was not in the room. There was no one in the house.
Raeleigh walked downstairs and went outside. She found Deanna in the garden, about to barbecue some meat. Jepherson was playing with Shaney in his arms. When Raeleigh came out, she was met with this scene.
Jepherson saw Raeleigh coming out of the house from afar. He brought Shaney to Raeleigh and said, "Hey, you're up?"
Raeleigh looked at Jepherson, not knowing how to feel.
"Shaney, why don't you go and play with Cedric and Heitor for a while? I want to take a walk with your father."
"Alright."
Then, Jepherson put her on the ground and she went in search of Cedric and Heitor. Raeleigh looked at Jepherson and said, "Come on, let's go."
Jepherson asked Raeleigh, "Where are we going?" "Up ahead."
Raeleigh then walked in that direction. Jepherson followed closely behind. Both of them were silent.
Shaney returned to Santiago's side and glanced over at Raeleigh's direction. He withdrew his gaze and continued to cook the meat.
Jacky sat down and asked, "Are you really planning on bringing Raeleigh along with you?"
"What else?"
"I mean why don't you each go your own way? I think it's better that way."
Santiago looked at Jacky. "If it was Deanna, would you still say the same thing?"
"There is no if. You can only blame this on fate. This is the biggest issue between you two."
"I don't believe in fate"
"What about destiny?"
"Destiny?" Santiago thought for a long time. "I don't believe in it either."
"Santiago, you are a smart person. Raeleigh can't ignore you and your brother doesn't want to hurt you."
Santiago glanced at Jacky. "There are some things that you don't have to tell me."
Jacky snorted.
Jacky smiled as he looked at his two sons who were standing beside him, scarfing down the barbecued meat. Then, he glanced over at Deanna's abdomen.
"I'm relieved that you are willing to bring Cedric and Heitor along with you. We're having a girl this time."
Santiago glanced at them. "Your sons are very playful."
Jacky laughed, "I mean, with them around, you won't have to worry about Shaney getting bullied."
"What I'm more afraid of is that a thief is living in my house."
"What are you afraid of? With me and Deanna around, Shaney won't lose out."
"It's easy for you to say. What if your sons..."
"There is no if. Even if there is, it's just a misunderstanding, it will come to an end one day."
Jacky picked up Cedric and looked at Heitor, "Heitor, come here. I want to ask you something."
With Cedric in his arms and Heitor in front of him, Jacky asked, "If I bought something for you two, what must you do?"
"I must let Cedric have it first," Heitor said. Jacky asked, "Why?"
"Because he's my younger brother. He has to listen to me."
The corners of Santiago's lips curled upward as
Heitor spoke.
Jacky looked at Cedric and said, "What about you?"
"I will leave it for my brother because I want the best for him."
Jacky released Cedric and looked at Santiago. "If a child can understand this principle, I'm sure you can too."
Santiago laughed. "One can only choose between the queen and the princess. Since you gave the queen to your older son, then your youngest son can only have the princess."
"But there are people who would choose both."
Jacky looked over to Jepherson. Santiago smiled. "Is there nothing better for you to do?"
"No. If I do, why would I give my sons to you?"
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