People of the same age always had a way of understanding each other, like how Wynn and Neal understood Aurelia.
Overthinking things was not always beneficial. Keeping things simple was the easiest way of convincing a child.
The world of a child was simple and they had a more straightforward approach to things. Children were more acceptant if their parents had established a solid boundary with them. Perceiving them as too weak may hinder their development.
I felt a lot better after I realized this. When I looked at Naomi's face, which was identical to mine, things didn't feel so scary anymore.
After that Neal had said, Jordan and Naomi's excuse for keeping us here was void.
It was not a safe place to be, and I didn't want to stay any longer.
I was ready to leave with the kids when I saw that Hendrix had no intention of speaking up again. Naomi was not going to let Neal get away from thwarting her plans. Before we could leave, she grabbed him.
Naomi put her hand on Neal's shoulder and looked at him like a welcoming elder. "Whose child are you?" She asked.
Neal gave her a serene glance before raising his eyes to Hendrix and me and said calmly, "Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are my adoptive parents. I'm their son by adoption."
"Is that so?" Naomi's gaze remained fixed on him. Then she bitterly said, "Reuniting with your family had not easy. You haven't even had time to cherish your own children, and now you're adopting another child?"
She paused for a moment and continued talking without waiting for us to answer. "It looks like this child and I are meant to be together since it just so happens that Jordan and I don't have any children. Why not give him to us? It will be less of a burden for you too."
Just as I was about to refuse them, Hendrix's voice came first. "We can afford to raise as many children as we want. This shouldn't be an outsider's concern."
With that, he lowered his gaze and looked at Neal. "What are you waiting for? Do you actually want to stay?"
Neal immediately understood the situation. He removed Naomi's hand from his shoulder and strode up to us, taking a firm stance opposite Naomi.
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