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.

looked at her mother and

you decide to keep it, you will be responsible for its life," explained Emily.

early summer sun. With a big smile on her face, she said, "Thank you, mommy

to pick out all the stars from the sky for

repulsed by Jack's presence.

his

did she ever see

to please Beryl, it was clear

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

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

seeing each other, not only would it be unfair to Jack, but

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

void could never be replaced

it be. Emily was certain that she would never get back with Jack again, and if he even

absolutely

deliberately ate slowly, but eventually Emily drove him

pensively at the closed door in front of him, Jack began to envy the little puppy. At least, the puppy could live in the house and be with Emily

since he was able to soften Emily's anger today, he assumed that he was off to a good start. One thing was clear, Jack's resolve grew stronger.

...

at

now and then he would cough and hold his fist up to his

and said, "Mr. Jacob, should I make

off Sam's concern. "Cancel my appointments in the afternoon, I am going

Yes, Mr. Jacob," replied Sam.

picture was smiling like