Chapter 226: Taken after her parents.
Eira’s voice rang out brightly as the little one ran toward her —her laughter trailing behind like soft, lilting music.
Even from a distance, Adelyn could see her radiant smile and those glittering, lively eyes —
And without even realizing it, her own gaze softened in response to hers.
The tension that had been quietly sitting within her all this while seemed to ease, if only a little.
Before she could even register the thought, she had already dropped to her knees, her arms opening instinctively—
Ready to gather the little girl into her embrace.
Eira didn’t hesitate in the slightest.
If anything, her expression bloomed even more upon seeing Adelyn like that up close. She rushed forward and threw herself straight into her arms, hugging her tightly —her small arms wrapping securely around Adelyn’s neck, her body clinging to her like a koala clinging to a tree.
"Mama, Eira missed you and came to see you."
Adelyn stilled.
Her arms wrapped firmly around the little girl, holding her close, as though making up for something she had unknowingly neglected.
She should have been the one to go to her —prepare her a proper meal, sit beside her, and gently coax her into talking about what had happened yesterday.
That had been her intention.
But after everything that had happened that afternoon ...
That plan had completely slipped her mind.
How could she have been so careless?
If Eira hadn’t come here on her own ...
Wouldn’t she have ended up disappointing her all over again?
The thought settled heavily in her chest.
Sensing her silence, Eira slowly pulled away, her hands still resting lightly on Adelyn’s shoulders. She tilted her head, her brows knitting together ever so slightly.
"Mama ... did Eira bother you by coming here?"
Her voice was soft, hesitant.
She had come without informing her ... without asking her.
But she had asked Dada.
Dada had told her Mama wouldn’t be upset to see her today.
... Could she have been wrong?
The mere thought made her little heart feel heavy.
But just then—
Adelyn’s hand gently cupped the side of her face.
Leaning forward, she pressed a soft kiss against her cheek.
That kiss was warm and tender —instantly melting away the unease clouding Eira’s heart.
"No, sweetheart," Adelyn said softly. "You’re not a bother at all. Mama missed you just the same. If you wouldn’t have come, I would have come to see you later."
Eira’s eyes brightened almost immediately making her entire face light up.
"Really ...??" she asked, her voice brimming with hope.
"Mhm ..." Adelyn hummed, giving her a firm —and reassuring nod.
Then, slowly raising to brush her finger lightly over Eira’s nose before tapping it gently on the tip, she added,
"You are always so sweet ... so adorable ... so pretty, Mama can’t help but miss you more and more."
Those words should have made Eira giggle in delight.
But instead—
She simply stood there, watching Adelyn closely.
Her gaze wasn’t intrusive, nor was it childish curiosity. It was quiet ... observant ... as though she was trying to understand something deeper than what was being said.
Adelyn blinked, momentarily puzzled by her reaction.
But before she could ask anything—
A voice came from the side.
"Ms. Grace."
Adelyn turned her head to see the guard approaching with a polite smile.
She gently helped Eira stand properly before rising to her feet herself.
"Mr. Porter," she greeted him back, casually asking, "... how was your day?"
The guard smiled back warmly. "Oh ... it was good," he replied.
But even as he spoke, his gaze drifted once again toward the little girl standing beside her.
Curiosity flickered across his face, and he couldn’t help but ask,
"Is this your daughter?"
The question made Adelyn pause.
She instinctively looked down—
Only to meet Eira’s eyes.
Those wide, hopeful eyes ... filled with anticipation.
As if waiting to be acknowledged.
To be claimed.
Adelyn hesitated.
She didn’t want to complicate things.
But when she saw the way Eira looked at her ... quietly waiting ... she couldn’t bring herself to deny her either.
In the end—
She nodded.
"Yes ... she’s my daughter," Adelyn said softly. "Isn’t she quite pretty?"
The guard’s face lit up immediately.
"Yes, yes! Such a beautiful and adorable child," he said sounding enthusiastic. "She has definitely taken after her—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
A shadow fell from behind.
Adelyn noticed it first.
Her gaze shifted slightly—and then paused.
Dylan stood there.
Tall. Composed. Effortlessly imposing.
His presence was quiet, yet it carried an undeniable weight. That cold, sharply defined face, paired with an almost unreal perfection, made him look like someone who didn’t belong to the ordinary world at all.
The guard turned as well.
And the moment he saw him—
He froze.
The memory of the previous evening surfaced in his mind.
That young man had said his brother’s looks were unparalleled.
Back then, he hadn’t quite believed it.
But now ...
He had no choice.
In front of him, even the male gods would feel lacking. No wonder Dr. Colsen couldn’t compare.
"... parents," he finished awkwardly, correcting himself.
For a second, Adelyn didn’t quite catch it.
"Huh? What did you say?" she asked, turning toward him again in confusion.
Mr. Porter quickly smiled and repeated, "I said she has taken after her parents. With both of you like this, it’s no wonder she’s such a beautiful child."
Adelyn was just about to correct him—
But before she could—
"Thank you," Dylan spoke.
Adelyn’s head snapped toward him, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.
Did he just ... thank him?
For that?
But she wasn’t really Eira’s mother.
Wasn’t he giving her the credit that didn’t even belong to her?
Sensing her gaze, Dylan turned to look at her.
Yet unlike her confusion, his expression remained calm —almost indifferent, as though nothing unusual had happened.
"Did the day tire you out?" he asked, his tone gentle ... almost like that of a considerate husband speaking to his wife.
Adelyn froze for a brief second.
Then, feeling slightly flustered, she forced a small smile and shook her head.
"I—I’m ... fine," she replied. "Let’s just head upstairs first." She couldn’t bear to stay there and let more misunderstandings stir.
Dylan gave a small nod, agreeing easily.
Without saying anything further, Adelyn reached for Eira’s hand, holding it gently as she offered her a soft smile.
Then she turned and began walking ahead.
Dylan followed behind her, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.
From behind, the guard watched the three of them leave together. A chuckle escaped him under his breath.
"A couple like that should stay together for eternity," he muttered to himself. "They look so good together ... haha."
