Love at First Novel by Gu Lingfei

The gifts Sonny's mother had sent were meant for his grandparents and father, but his aunt Chelsea had complained, pressuring him to call his mom and demand a New Year's gift for her too.

But Sonny didn't want to. He didn't think people who weren't good deserved gifts.

"Sonny," Mrs. Brown said softly, her words faltering. She didn't know how to respond, so she turned her frustration toward her husband. "You shouldn't have said all those things in front of Sonny. He's just a child. It's not right for him to hear that."

Mr. Brown, however, was unyielding. "Now you're worried about him being a child? If you didn't want his ears polluted, you should've dealt with Chelsea! She's the one with these shameless schemes-always looking to bleed Liberty dry.

"If it weren't for Sonny, do you think Serenity would've spared us back then? Mr. York had every reason to crush us. Instead, they let us off easy for Sonny's sake. But your daughter? She doesn't appreciate anything! She still wants to take advantage of Liberty. Does she think Liberty is just going to sit back and let her push her around like she used to?"

Brown had no retort. Her husband's anger silenced

calm the tension, brought over a pot of chrysanthemum tea for his

going to change. The best we can do is limit how often she comes

with guilt. "You came back to visit for just a couple of days, and you've already

clear and cheerful. "It's okay, Dad. I know you love me now. I'm not mad.” Children have a remarkable way of moving past adult conflicts, and

but feel grateful that he hadn't fought for Sonny's custody. If Sonny had been forced to live in the toxic environment of the Brown household, it would have destroyed him. Hank reflected on his past decisions, feeling a bittersweet

When he remarried Jessica, his

with emotion. "Sonny, thank you for still wanting me

be my dad. Mom says Uncle