Abandoned by All I Took It All Back novel Chapter 422

Whether it was the bond of blood or something else, Liam and Joy were perfectly happy in Julius’s arms, gurgling and cooing in that way only babies can. They drooled all over his shirt, but Julius, who was normally so fastidious about his appearance, didn't seem to care at all. He just kept cooing back at them.

Only when the two little ones started to drift off to sleep did he reluctantly hand them back to Grace and Ethan. “Ma’am, Sir, please let me bring the gifts inside. Don’t refuse. I feel like I owe Liam and Joy so much, and besides buying them things, I don’t know what else I can do.”

Perhaps his words struck a chord with Grace, the mother in her softening. She waved a hand dismissively. “Fine. I’ll accept them on behalf of Liam and Joy. But don’t buy any more. This is too much, and it’s wasteful if they can’t wear it all.”

Julius’s face lit up. He hurried to bring in the large bags and boxes of presents.

Just as he was about to leave, Janina’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Don’t bring anyone uninvited again. If you do, I can’t guarantee I won’t say or do something unpleasant. And if you want to see the children, you call ahead.”

Julius didn't know what to say. He wanted nothing more than to have a calm conversation with her, but every Liame they met, she was on the warpath, her face a mask of cold hostility.

“Okay,” he said quietly. “I understand.”

He turned to go, then paused and looked back at her. “And, um… congratulations. Meridian has done incredibly well in its first month.”

He left after that. Janina just rolled her eyes. She didn't need his congratulations.

As the door closed, shutting out the world, Janina finally let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Dealing with Julius and his family was exhausting. He was enough of a headache on his own, but today he’d brought his unreasonable mother into the mix.

There were just so many gifts. Janina was tired after opening only half of them. There were clothes, toys, diapers—everything imaginable. She counted more than a dozen gift bags still unopened. She’d get to them when she had more time.

After dinner, while Liam and Joy were on their play mat, Janina brought out some of the new toys she had unwrapped and sterilized that afternoon.

The two little ones immediately grabbed the toys and stuck them in their mouths. At six months old, everything was a source of curiosity. You couldn’t take your eyes off them for a second.

Janina picked up a rattle and was amusing Joy with it when she heard a faint, strange sound drift through the air.