(Aya’s POV)It was a ‘pee excuse’ to stay away from Gino’s gaze while we were at the beach. I was hoping to send Addie and Leslie a message and ask a favor to bring the kids to our room because I could not bear being in the same area with Gino. If I were to ask, I did not want to join the party. I only wanted to be with Red and the kids, but as Ariana said, I had to be there to show at least my appreciation that he found my daughter.While he was singing earlier with Ned and Carlo, I almost ran to them to strangle him, hating that he had the guts to sing that song, and locked his eyes on me. If my children were not around, I would have picked up a handful of sand and thrown it on his face. I expected Gino to follow me, but I did not anticipate seeing my husband sauntering like a deer on the sandy beach and hiding in the bush. Seeing Katie in Gino’s arms earlier also surprised Addie and me. Especially me! Seeing my daughter’s resemblance to him, I was not ruling out the possibility t

(Aya’s POV) Returning to Sherrilyn’s place was different from the day we arrived. There was household staff in the garden, busy clearing, trimming some plants, and preparing the area for tomorrow’s event, while others were busy cleaning inside the mansion. As soon as we arrived, Red told me to go to the kitchen to see if there were also people working there. When I went to the cooking area, my heart leaped with joy seeing Fabian, but he was scolding his kitchen team, as he called them, about something when I came in. “Fabian!” I squealed, dashing in his direction and embracing him. I moved back and pouted. “You’re on leave; why are you here?” I asked, not minding the people in the kitchen. He scoffed and moved his head toward me. “The last time I went on leave, I disappointed Red, letting you cook for many people with all those numbers of dishes,” he whispered. He eased back and looked around. “So, I postponed my plans for the weekend and flew here, just in case no cook would come.”

(Aya’s POV)Seeing Rina giving gifts and shopping bags to her grandchildren, I finally understood where Ariana inherited her generosity and sweetness. Addie and I had not opened all the shopping bags of clothes and shoes Red and Ariana had given to Katie, and now, she received more. What I appreciated the most was that the grandparents had given the same number of gifts, except for Violet, the celebrant, receiving more.“Rina, thank you,” I choked, feeling emotional at their warm welcome of my daughter. I cleared my throat as I glanced at Katie, giggling with her twin siblings as they watched the ballerina in the music box and copied it as it twirled around the box.“The kids already thanked me, Aya,” she grinned, anchoring her arm to mine. “And please... call me mommy.”I could not help remembering the first day I met Ariana, treating me like a close friend when I was no one but a mere applicant for a 'tutor' position I didn’t get.“Still, thank you, Ri...” My cheeks blushed. “thank

(Aya’s POV)“Lucy, I’m here to treat my daughter,” Dean jokingly snarled at my manager when she said lunch was on her, and then he grinned. “But I’d appreciate a discount.”“A senior citizen discount, of course!” My manager chuckled as she led us to the table overlooking the garden.“Are you sure about this, Aya?” Dante asked, smiling apologetically at me and not sitting down. “Red will not be happy if he finds out -”I raised my hands and smiled. “I’m not the one who invited you, Dante. Besides, we’re just having a quick lunch.”I glanced at my personal security detail on the table near the main entrance. No matter how my father convinced him that we were only having lunch, he declined the offer and told him he was on duty.“I am paying for his meal,” Dad said, but Lucy shook her head as she pulled the chair for him.“Na-ah, Dean. I’m deducting his meal from Aya’s salary,” she muttered, winking at me.Knowing Lucy was only joking, my father laughed and took the menu card the server g

(Aya’s POV)“I’m not sure the kids will be happy with your cupcakes, Aya.”Leslie’s voice startled me as she got one cupcake from the table, opening her mouth but showing the design of the pastry to the camera as she took a selfie. She put the cupcake back on the tray and began typing on her social media page, saying her post aloud.“Eating my sadness away,” she chuckled. “Post.”“Sadness?” Addie asked as she entered the kitchen, and when she realized what Leslie meant, she smirked and pulled a chair to sit across from me. She took one but took a bite of the pastry. “How long has Red been gone?”“Two weeks and two days,” Leslie answered.I turned my head at her, raising my eyebrows. “How did you know?”Addie swallowed the small cake she was chewing and then raised her index finger, pointing at the text written at the top of one of the cupcakes.“2w n 2d.” She took another one but placed it before me, showing me the sad emoji design, taking the piping bag with blue icing, and adding te