Love Me Or Leave Me

Chapter 237

"No way!" Lillian said urgently. "They can't do that. It was Princess Lillian who drew the lot. The flower crown belongs to her!"

Hayden smiled, trying to ease her upset. "Yes, Princess Lillian drew the lot, so the flower crown should be hers. Prince Kyle and Prince Dylan need to keep their promise and not take it from her."

Lillian nodded vigorously. "Yes."

Jeremy, who had been observing from a short distance, looked at Lillian and then turned to Hayden. He looked at Hayden with a look only a father and son would understand. When Jeremy was little, Hayden often used stories and situations like this to teach him important lessons. Now, he was employing the same approach with Lillian. Hayden noticed Jeremy almost rolling his eyes, but he maintained his composure as he continued his gentle teaching with Lillian. "Do you think it is important to keep promises?"

"Yes," Lillian responded with a serious nod, her little face earnest and intent. "They can't break their promise. It was decided by drawing lots that... that Princess Lillian won, so the... the flower crown should go to her." Although she spoke slowly, her determination shone through.

Hayden's smile widened as he saw her understanding take shape. "That's right. So, when you play games, you should be a child who keeps promises too, okay?"

Jeremy gave Hayden a knowing look. Hayden felt discomfort at the intensity of Jeremy's gaze but held steady. Jeremy quickly looked away, focusing once more on Lillian. Despite his reservations about Hayden's somewhat sneaky methods, Jeremy could not argue with the importance of the lesson being taught. Keeping promises was crucial, and honoring commitments was a value they all needed to uphold.

Lillian, now connecting the dots, thought to herself, 'Is Daddy talking about me?' She realized that her recent attempts to back out after losing the draw had been untrustworthy. Hayden's explanation made her feel less upset, and she saw the sense in it. "Next time I win the lot drawing, Kev has to keep his promise and not take it from me," she stated firmly.

Hayden nodded in agreement, his smile reassuring. "Of course, Kev has to keep his promise too. Everyone should keep their promises."

"Okay," Lillian said with a resolute nod. It took some time, but she finally calmed down and grasped the importance of keeping promises. How long she would remember this lesson was uncertain, as children often forgot things quickly. Today, they might be soothed and make promises, but by tomorrow, they could easily renege. It often required repeated teaching, using various methods and approaches, just like with Jeremy when he was little.

The first time, he cried. The second time, he wailed. The third time, he threw a tantrum. By the fourth time, he was grounded, and the fifth time involved more serious discipline. Repetition had been key in his learning process.

Stacey had waited downstairs for a long time before she could not resist sneaking upstairs to check on things. When Kevin saw Stacey sneaking upstairs, he jumped off the couch and followed her. Stacey felt even more reassured that Kevin was willing to come with her. "Let's go quietly so we don't disturb them," she whispered to him.

"Okay." Kevin nodded, and they tiptoed upstairs together.

When they reached the second floor, they saw Lillian and Jeremy coming out of the room, with Hayden following behind. Jeremy's eyes brightened at the sight of Becky, and he eagerly rushed to her side. Stacey paused momentarily, her gaze settling on Lillian. Despite her red eyes, Lillian no longer appeared upset or on the verge of tears. Stacey thought to herself, 'Did Hayden really calm her down? Hayden is incredible!' She did not realize she was looking at Hayden with the same admiration that Jeremy often directed toward her.

Hayden's soft laugh broke the silence, and he suggested, "It is all right now. How about we go for a walk outside?"

"Yes!" Lillian shouted eagerly. Stacey noticed the newfound closeness between Lillian and Hayden, a bond strengthened by their earlier conversation. "I want to go too," Kevin chimed in eagerly.

Turning to Jeremy, Stacey gave him a warm smile. "Jeremy, do you want to come along?"

Jeremy looked at Becky, his lips

moving in an attempt to form words,

Mét

but his nerves got the best of him. His ears flushed a deep red as he struggled to speak. Stacey knelt beside him, her voice gentle and encouraging as she said, "It's okay, Jeremy. Try saying, 'I want."

Jeremy glanced nervously at Becky's lips, his small fists clenching at his sides. Stacey encouraged him with a smile, "Don't be afraid. Just say it out loud. It is perfectly fine if you make a mistake. No one will laugh at you."

Hayden also watched Jeremy with a hopeful expression. Jeremy pursed his lips, holding his breath, and finally managed to whisper, "Wa."

"Want," Hayden corrected softly. Jeremy looked up at Hayden, meeting Hayden's serious gaze.

With a determined breath, Jeremy tried again. "Want!" This time, he pronounced it correctly.

Stacey's face lit up with pride as she immediately opened her arms and enveloped Jeremy in a warm hug. "Jeremy, you did it! You are amazing! You learned so quickly," she praised. Jeremy's cheeks flushed brightred. Even though he had only said one word correctly and had made a mistake earlier, the hug and encouragement meant the world to him.

"Let's go for a walk together." Stacey gently patted Jeremy's shoulder and smiled. This time, everyone was happy as they went out. They walked around the neighborhood for a long time and finally stopped at the playground to let Jeremy, Lillian, and Kevin play on their own.

After the children had dashed off to enjoy themselves, Stacey and Hayden fell into silence. The silence between them grew, and Stacey, feeling a bit nervous, began to wonder how to start a conversation.

"Mr. Fraley mentioned he wants to visit Zentiscape during Christmas," Hayden finally said, bringing up a topic they had discussed previously. Stacey felt less nervous hearing this. She straightened up a bit, her expression turning more serious as she replied, "I have already drafted the plans. I will send them to you shortly."

"Okay," Hayden said with a smile. He then turned to look at her and sighed. "But if Mr. Fraley comes here for Christmas, will it disrupt your family's celebration?"This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.

Stacey shook her head immediately and smiled. "No, it won't. It is just one more person. It should make the celebrations even livelier." Hayden's smile widened as he nodded in agreement. "True. Speaking of which, will you come to my place then?" he asked, looking at her. Stacey was taken aback, her brows furrowing in confusion as she processed his question. Hayden chuckled and said, "You have to come." Stacey laughed, thinking to herself, 'Was Hayden just teasing me?' She then said, "Well, my parents and I did visit Hoggard Manor once before."