A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Jacob didn't have the heart to refuse Beryl's face glowing with such eagerness. How could he turn down such an adorable face? He almost agreed to take her away, but in the end, good sense prevailed, and he stopped himself from giving in.

"No, I can't," said Jacob, as he shook his head with disappointment.

Beryl's lower lip protruded in a sulky pout. As she stood there, hands crossed, feeling discontented.

Knowing that she was not in good health, Jacob couldn't take the chance of taking her out and risking her life. "Would you like me to take you out to eat next time?" he asked.

"No, I want to eat right now," she demanded. Beryl had a feeling Jacob would satisfy her wishes just as long as she pressured him.

Jacob had to coax her, "Honey, don't be like that."

Beryl rolled her eyes at him and looked the other way. Suddenly, she frowned with a melodramatic flourish and said, "My stomach hurts, my head hurts. It hurts everywhere. I'll feel better if I can eat another strawberry cake..."

Jacob was at a loss. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her actions. "Don't be naughty," he said.

"It really hurts..." Beryl's little face reddened, and she looked up at Jacob piteously.

Although Jacob knew that she was just pretending, he couldn't help worrying about her. He walked over and picked her up in his arms. "What's wrong? How bad does it hurt?" asked Jacob.

Soon after, the voice of an anxious woman graced them from behind. "Beryl!"

Jacob turned around curiously and saw Emily rushing over towards them. She quickly walked up to Jacob and took Beryl from his arms. Her face was riddled with worry.

"Honey, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?" coddled Emily.

to see her mother anytime soon, so she didn't know what to say. But there was a clear sign of guilt on

had been worrying about Beryl, disregarded everything else and said,

could realize. Feeling daunted, she screamed at him, "Don't touch her! She was just at home, safe and sound, where she should be.

had no bad intentions, and she was just fine a while

not care about her." Emily did not know what was going on with Beryl, nor did she have

that tone with Emily. But considering the circumstances, he lowered his voice and said, "If she's not my daughter, then whose daughter is

out. When Beryl saw them quarreling, she realized that things had gone pear-shaped. She quickly explained, "Mommy, I am fine. This handsome uncle has been very kind to me. I came out with him because I wanted

you know? You're just a kid!" Emily exclaimed. With a straight-face, Emily said to Jacob, "Excuse me." She picked up Beryl in her arms and walked out

you need to be more responsible. You can't just go around asking for people to take you out to play. Have you ever thought of your

cautious and responsible. If today it wasn't Jacob, it could have been anyone else with ill intention. What would she do

anymore. The grievances came out like an uproar from her throat in the form of a scream. She sobbed into her mother's chest unceasingly, hands clutching at her jacket.

shivers ran down his body. At the same time, a sense of bitterness and anger arose in his heart, but he didn't speak a word

call him a stranger?

person she cared about was Beryl. Seeing Beryl's tear-soaked face, Emily was overcome by a wave

fine just a

strode past Emily and stood

down Beryl's face one drop after another, without a sign of stopping. Her muffled sobs wracked against Emily's chest. "No, thanks. We will manage on our own," she said.

a knife through Jacob's heart. He breathed deeply and steadily, as he told himself that Emily was behaving like that because she

advice. After some

drove steadily. From time to time he would glance at the mother and daughter sitting next to him. He felt the weight of the world pressing down on

did what he did to