51. Convincing Isleen

[Isaac]

“Do I need to know how you managed to feed Isleen?” Kathryn asks, a tinge of awe and confusion lacing her words. I smirk and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear while she wipes the dishes. Isleen scrambled out of the kitchen the moment she was done and I didn’t know whether I should have been sad or slightly relieved about it.

“She was hungry, but she didn’t want to eat so I pretended I was hungry, and she sort of just kept tagging along,” I say with a shrug.

Kathryn chuckles. “She doesn’t warm up to strangers-” she cuts off abruptly and purses her lips. She glances at me briefly before moving to clear the table.

“It’s alright. I know she won’t accept me so easily,” I murmur although it hurts.

“At least, you did not resist,” I add with a mischievous smile and relish in her reaction. Her cheeks turn a fine shade of pink.

“Stop talking such bullshit when a five-year-old is nearby,” she grumbles and folds the cleaning cloth and puts it away. I follow her as she putters