Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oliver\u2019s POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
*Actually\u2026\u201d I began, making my voice small and sad, \u2018I haven\u2019t been completely honest with you, Mommy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her expression turned concerned. \u2018What do you mean?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t stay home all day,\u2018 I confessed, looking down at my hands. I went out for a little while\u2026 and I ran into my old teacher.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYour teacher?\u2018 she repeated, clearly confused.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHis name is Hunter, I explained, warming to my story. \u201cHe used to be my private tutor before I\u2026 before I came to live with you. Daddy hired him specially for me, but then Hunter had to go away for a while. He\u2019s the only person besides you who\u2019s ever been nice to me. He taught me everything I know. He\u2019s\u00a0<\/p>\n
much better than preschool!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOliver, Mommy said slowly, \u201cwhy haven\u2019t you mentioned him before?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was afraid you wouldn\u2019t believe me,\u201d I mumbled, twisting the hem of my sweater. But he\u2019s real! And he said he could teach me again. Please, Mommy? I don\u2019t want to go to preschool with babies!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mommy looked skeptical. \u201cI\u2019d need to meet him before making any decisions. Could you contact him and arrange a meeting?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded excitedly and said, \u201cMy phone is charging in the room. Wait here, Mommy, I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d Then I ran to my room and texted Hunter, asking him\u00a0<\/p>\n
to pretend to be my tutor and come over right away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI gave him our address. He\u2019ll be here soon,\u201d I told Mommy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mommy nodded, standing up to organize the groceries she\u2019d bought, while I racked my brain trying to figure out how to pull this off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Mommy hurried to answer it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes widened in genuine surprise when the door opened to reveal Hunter standing there, looking every inch the professional tutor in a tweed jacket with\u00a0<\/p>\n
elbow patches and dark\u2013rimmed glasses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMs. Wright?\u201d he said politely. \u201cI\u2019m Hunter Ellis, Oliver\u2019s former tutor. I hope I\u2019m not interrupting?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leapt up with an excited shout that wasn\u2019t entirely fake.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHunter!\u201d I cried, running to him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mommy stood in the doorway, visibly confused. \u201cHello, Mr. Ellis. Do you live nearby?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hunter smiled warmly. \u2018Yes, I recently relocated to this neighborhood and discovered Oliver was staying nearby.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hugged his legs enthusiastically. \u201cHunter teaches me everything, Mommy! Tell her about our special lessons!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Oliver has a unique learning style that benefits from customized instruction, Hunter explained, patting my head affectionately. \u201cWe\u2019ve developed quite a comprehensive curriculum together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mommy\u2019s expression was a mix of suspicion and consideration. \u201cAnd you worked for his father previously?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, for approximately eighteen months, Hunter replied smoothly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I added vigorously. \u201cDaddy only cares about work. He never spends time with me. But Hunter was always there!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could see Mommy\u2019s heart melting as she looked from me to Hunter. \u201cWell, this is\u2026 unexpected. But I suppose we could discuss Oliver\u2019s educational options.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ive brought some sample materials that demonstrate our approach,\u201d Hunter offered, holding up a leather portfolio I hadn\u2019t noticed before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I held my breath as Mommy hesitated, clearly weighing her options.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease, Mommy? I begged, giving her my best puppy\u2013dog eyes. \u201cI promise I\u2019ll be good and learn lots of things!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, she finally agreed, stepping aside. \u201cPlease come in, Mr. Ellis. Let\u2019s talk about this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Hunter entered our apartment, he gave me the tiniest wink that Mommy couldn\u2019t see. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning too widely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedar\u2019s POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I peeked out from the kitchen to tell Oliver dinner was almost ready, I paused at the sight before me. In the living room, Hunter and Oliver were immersed in what appeared to be far more than a simple game. They sat surrounded by geometric wooden blocks that resembled an educational set. This was clearly not ordinary play, but rather a methodical teaching session.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oliver\u2019s little face was scrunched in concentration, his brow furrowed. Hunter waited with remarkable patience, his observant gaze carrying a focused intensity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow try extending this cantilever structure while considering the distribution of weight, Hunter suggested quietly, using terminology that surprised me for\u00a0<\/p>\n
a six\u2013year\u2013old\u2019s lesson.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you two working on?\u201d I asked, curiosity drawing me closer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They both looked up simultaneously. Oliver\u2019s face brightened instantly. \u201cMommy! Look what Hunter\u2019s teaching me! We\u2019re learning about architectural\u00a0<\/p>\n
balance!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hunter rose to his feet with an elegant efficiency that seemed out of place for an ordinary tutor. \u201cYes, Ms. Wright.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat exactly are you teaching Oliver?\u2018 I crouched down to examine their construction.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPrimarily logical reasoning and spatial analysis through guided play,\u201d Hunter explained. \u201cWe\u2019re exploring how mechanical principles can be applied to everyday problem\u2013solving. Oliver shows remarkable aptitude.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I studied him with newfound interest, \u201cThat sounds far more advanced than typical lessons for his age.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe education should guide children to discover rules, not merely follow them,\u201d Hunter responded with the conviction of a seasoned educator. \u2018Oliver needs to understand \u2018why\u2018 rather than simply \u2018how.\u201c\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched Oliver carefully adjusting a block, his expression of concentration stirring something in my memory that I couldn\u2019t quite place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
C\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32\u00a0<\/p>\n
After dinner, as Hunter prepared to leave, I noticed the special trust Oliver had developed with him\u2013a connection unlike his interactions with others.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next morning, as I dressed in my suit for my first day at Nest Design, Hunter arrived precisely on schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Ellis,\u201d I said, adjusting my necklace, \u201cOliver seems to really enjoy your teaching approach. Would you be able to stay a few extra hours each day?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly, Ms. Wright, he replied evenly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019ll pay extra for the additional time, of course, I added, reaching for my wallet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hunter politely but firmly declined: \u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary, Ms. Wright. Oliver\u2019s father has already covered all expenses.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOliver\u2019s father? So can I know who his father is?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I can\u2019t expose the info. of my client,\u201d he replied with a smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s fine. I understand. Thank you for being willing to spend the extra time with Oliver.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The morning flew by at the new company as I tried to settle into my role. Before I knew it, lunchtime had arrived.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cafeteria at Nest Design buzzed with lunchtime activity. I sat alone at a corner table, using the solitude to strategize how to effectively lead my design\u00a0<\/p>\n
team. The morning meetings had already revealed both the team\u2019s potential and its challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lost in thought, I made a careless movement that sent the coffee splashing across my blouse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn it!\u201d I gasped. The brown stain spread rapidly across the fabric, creating what might have been an interesting abstract expressionist statement\u2013if it\u00a0<\/p>\n
weren\u2019t so thoroughly ruining my outfit. I needed to address this immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hurried through unfamiliar corridors, quickly becoming disoriented. After several turns, I spotted an unmarked black walnut door and pushed it open\u00a0<\/p>\n
hopefully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Sky Remembered the Touch of Our Uninished Goodbyes by Lysa Orion Rehn 32 Chapter 32\u00a0 Oliver\u2019s POV\u00a0 *Actually\u2026\u201d I […]<\/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":[88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-zero-stars-for-daddy-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30431","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=30431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30431\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}