Chapter 39\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette carried the boy towards her. When Kevin saw\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine, his expression shifted, becoming unreadable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Livingston.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette smiled, not putting the child down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you are home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine frowned slightly. \u201cWhy did you pick up Kev?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette sighed, feigning regret. \u201cThe kindergarten called. The\u00a0<\/p>\n
driver came for him, but he refused to leave. He wouldn\u2019t speak.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They had no choice but to call me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine\u2019s heart sank. She looked at her son.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their eyes met, but he quickly looked away, seemingly unwilling\u00a0<\/p>\n
to look at her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Guilt flooded Madeleine\u2019s heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI see. Thank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 39\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine nodded, then looked at Kevin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKev.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kevin didn\u2019t move.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine persisted patiently. \u201cCan I hold you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was still no response.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette\u2019s smile widened slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Having been Kevin\u2019s psychologist for so long, she understood\u00a0<\/p>\n
his psyche better than anyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He craved his mother\u2019s love and attention, but he was an\u00a0<\/p>\n
independent person, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once hurt, he would retreat into his shell like a snail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whatever reason Madeleine had for trying to repair their\u00a0<\/p>\n
relationship, it clearly wasn\u2019t straightforward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In Kevin\u2019s heart, Nanette was the most trustworthy one.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Livingston, I really think you should\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMommy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 39\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette\u2019s words caught in her throat. The boy in her arms had suddenly called Madeleine \u201cMommy\u201d in a muffled voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She pondered, \u201cBut wasn\u2019t he angry?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cForgave her so quickly?!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine was also stunned. She had worried he would be too upset to forgive her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And yet, he\u2019d only ignored her for a few moments\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without delay, Madeleine reached out her sore, aching arms\u00a0<\/p>\n
and took her dear son.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She thought, \u201cOof\u2026 So heavy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKirsten\u2019s nutritious meals were certainly effective.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment he was in her arms, his small hands clung tightly\u00a0<\/p>\n
to her neck, as if holding onto something precious, refusing to\u00a0<\/p>\n
let go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Dr. Clark.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine gave Nanette a generous smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She knew her son trusted Nanette, so she wouldn\u2019t cause a\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 39\u00a0<\/p>\n
scene in front of him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll update my contact details with the kindergarten. No need to\u00a0<\/p>\n
trouble you anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Livingston.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette\u2019s smile faded. She glanced at Kevin, hesitating to\u00a0<\/p>\n
speak her mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine understood. She looked down at Kevin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKev, can you go inside first? I need to talk to Dr. Clark for a\u00a0<\/p>\n
moment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Usually obedient, Kevin now stubbornly shook his head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This was the first time Madeleine had seen him openly oppose\u00a0<\/p>\n
a request.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She could only smile apologetically at Nanette.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Dr. Clark. We\u2019ll have to talk another time. I need to\u00a0<\/p>\n
attend to my son now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette\u2019s expression tightened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had hoped to use this perfect opportunity to put Madeleine\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
in her place, to show her who Kevin really trusted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Kevin wasn\u2019t cooperating.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She thought, \u201cWhat is wrong with him?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve given him so many psychological cues on the way here\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette masked her frustration with a smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t have much to say anyway. I\u2019m just glad Kev is home\u00a0<\/p>\n
safe.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll have the driver drive you home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need, I can manage.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette meant it as a polite gesture, but Madeleine\u00a0<\/p>\n
immediately agreed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright then. Have a safe trip.\u201d She then smiled at the driver\u00a0<\/p>\n
nearby. \u201cMathew, you can clock out now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nanette\u2019s composure nearly cracked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clenching her fists, she bid Kevin a gentle goodbye and\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 39\u00a0<\/p>\n
conceded defeat, stepping away from the Livingston\u2019s villa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine\u2019s arms and thighs screamed in protest, her brow\u00a0<\/p>\n
furrowed tightly, as she carried Kevin inside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing his mother\u2019s pained expression, Kevin \u2018grew alarmed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He slowly withdrew his hands and asked timidly, \u201cMommy, do\u00a0<\/p>\n
you hate me now?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine didn\u2019t understand the question at first.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Settling him on the sofa, she looked at him curiously. \u201cWhy\u00a0<\/p>\n
would you ask that, Kev?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou didn\u2019t pick me up, and\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kevin\u2019s small hand unconsciously reached up, wanting to\u00a0<\/p>\n
smooth the furrow in her brow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he thought better of it and lowered his hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNever mind. Mommy wouldn\u2019t like it,\u201d he told himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Realizing the misunderstanding, Madeleine looked at him\u00a0<\/p>\n
earnestly. \u201cKev, I need to apologize for that. I was dancing this\u00a0<\/p>\n
afternoon and lost track of time. I forgot to pick you up. By the time I checked, you were already out of school.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine clasped her hands together pleadingly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my fault for not setting an alarm. Please don\u2019t be mad at me, okay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kevin blinked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He thought in disbelief, \u201cMommy is apologizing to me?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is that possible?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTell me, Kev. What can I do to earn your forgiveness? I\u2019ll agree\u00a0<\/p>\n
to anything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine batted her eyelashes pitifully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The boy was the spitting image of Roderick. When she used to apologize to a young Roderick, he had worn this same\u00a0<\/p>\n
expression.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kevin was silent for a moment, then mimicked Madeleine by\u00a0<\/p>\n
blinking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cReally? Anything?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 39\u00a0<\/p>\n
Madeleine nodded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything. I promise.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kevin motioned for her to come closer and whispered\u00a0<\/p>\n
something in her ear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
Night Carved Paths Into Silence by Zyrel Ash 39 Chapter 39\u00a0 Nanette carried the boy towards her. When Kevin saw\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-heart-surgeons-last-patient-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29292\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}