The Kiss that Sparked it All

Baber was lifted off the ground by Theo, his eyes shining brightly, looking a bit dazed, “Ms. Mendoza? Is it Ms. Mendoza?”

Theo frowned, took a deep breath, and stopped talking, making Baber turn pale with his serious look.

With about a ten–year gap between the man and Ellinor, it made Theo and Ellinor seem more distant when Baber addressed her that way!

Seeing that, she quickly took Baber from him and asked, “What are you doing? You’ve scared the kid!”

Theo was expressionless, “He called you Ms. Mendoza, don’t you think there’s something wrong with that?”

Ellinor disdainfully glanced at the man, then gently stroked Baber’s head, comfortingly saying, “Ignore him! It’s okay, call me whatever you like, Ms. Mendoza or Mrs. Blanchet, either is fine.”

Only then did Baber relax a bit, obediently nodding his head and laying his head on Ellinor’s shoulder like a good little puppy.

child’s address, but seeing Ellinor holding and comforting him so casually,

accept? Although I have no experience as a stepmother, I’m

Ellinor and gently kissed her forehead,

What for?

didn’t feel she had done anything worthy of thanks, but the gentle

taking Baber out for breakfast now, you get dressed and join

Ellinor turned around with Baber in her arms, her expression calm

squinting. Did she seem

out of the room, Ellinor let out a sigh. She was almost bewitched by the man’s gentleness just then; she couldn’t just ignore what

his bright eyes, his face full of curiosity and desire to learn, “Ms. Mendoza,

Ms. Mendoza?

way

awkwardly at Baber in her arms and asked, “Do you know what