A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

At last, a trace of expression appeared on Emily's face. "Beryl, I think I need to find another Chinese teacher for you. Look at what you have learnt all day," she said.

Instead of taking it seriously, Beryl stuck her tongue at Emily naughtily.

Lost in deep thoughts, Jack was trying to figure out whether Emily was angry or not. Then suddenly, his eyes met with Emily's, and he looked away in an instant, his breath coming in short gasps. "Miss Lu, I didn't mean to..." he quickly apologized.

"Mr. Jack, please leave when you've finished eating," she said.

"What?" Jack asked, with a surprised look on his face. Clearly, Jack had no intentions of leaving empty handed. Biting his lower lip, he said, sternly, "You've helped me. At least let me do something for you in return, okay?"

In truth, Emily had no intentions of negotiating with him. "By the way, please take that dog with you. Dogs are not allowed in our family," said Emily.

Beryl's face turned sour and her cute little eye-brows frowned when she heard that. She quietly let go of the puppy and drooped her head without saying anything.

"Ms Lu, it seems that Beryl has grown fond of this one. Don't worry, it's a healthy puppy. Why don't you let her keep it?" Jack urged.

"I am afraid she'll get hurt. Just like you were afraid of getting bitten by it earlier," Emily responded.

Jack was speechless. Thinking of what he did and said today, he was so ashamed of himself that he wished he could get into a hole in the ground. He had to say, "It was only an accident..."

"And do you think it is right to take a dog away from its mother and have them separated?" asked Emily.

"I didn't think about that," Jack lowered his head. With a look of regret, he asked tentatively, "So... Shall I bring it back?"

Emily paused for a moment, and looked at Beryl sitting next to her. The sight of her big, watery eyes looking at her wishfully melted Emily's resolve.

After a few seconds of silence, she finally said, "Forget it, let's keep it."

Eventually, they could have the puppy checked and disinfected at the vet's clinic. Since Beryl usually played alone, it would be good for her to find a playmate.

excitement as she looked at her mother and

to take? From the moment you decide

Happiness flowed through her, warming her skin like the rays of an early summer

he wanted to pick out all the stars from the sky for her. Satisfied, Jack replied,

still repulsed by Jack's

his colors so

did she ever see in

was trying hard to please Beryl, it was clear that

mixed feelings. She did not come back to China to be with Jack. Everything

her daughter to have a father. Having a father figure in Beryl's childhood could really turn things around in her life.

other, not only would it be

how hard she tried to fill the void of a father in Beryl's life, in

a void could never be replaced by anyone.

and if he even showed the slightest sign of grabbing her daughter, she wouldn't hesitate to

was absolutely off-limits!

his stay, Jack deliberately ate slowly, but eventually Emily drove him away. Obviously, the

At least, the puppy could live in the house and be with Emily and Beryl day

he was

...

later, at

Every now and then he would cough and hold his fist

Sam poured a cup of hot water for him, and said, "Mr. Jacob, should I make an appointment for you to see the doctor?

a sip from the water cup and brushed off Sam's

Mr. Jacob," replied

in the document. The girl on the picture was smiling like a flower. It was Cloris, the daughter of the Lu family. She bore a striking