The coldness on Walker Grant’s face vanished when he saw the boy. His features softened, and he beckoned to him. "Noah, come here."

Noah Grant walked over and immediately hugged his leg. "Uncle, are you sad?"

The little boy tilted his head up to look at him, asking in a soft voice. His pitch-black eyes shone brightly.

He bore a strong resemblance to Walker’s older brother, Julian Grant. Seeing that face, Walker couldn’t help but think of his brother.

His older brother had a calm, steady personality, whereas Walker himself had been very mischievous as a child. He had once run off to play, and his brother was the one who had found him. Unfortunately, a gang had been watching the Grant family. Seeing the brothers alone, they had kidnapped them.

They were held captive for three days.

They only got one meal a day. His older brother would give him the single steamed bun, and he’d give him any water they received as well.

When the kidnappers had tried to drag him out for a whipping, his older brother had shielded him with his own body.

To this day, he could still hear those pained, muffled groans.

"Uncle?"

Noah Grant called out again when he didn’t answer.

"I’m not sad." Walker Grant snapped out of his reverie, his gaze softening even more as he looked at the boy.

"It’s so late. Why are you still at the hospital?"

Noah Grant glanced subconsciously toward the door before saying, "You were sad, so I was worried about you."

Walker Grant patted his head. "I’m fine. It’s late, so you should go home. And remember to listen to your mother."

But Noah Grant didn’t leave. He kept hugging Walker’s leg, his voice muffled. "Uncle, all the other kids have dads. Why don’t I have one?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Your dad was a great hero." Walker Grant’s voice grew strained. "You can’t see him, but he’s always by your side, protecting you."

"But I want a dad who’s here with me." Noah Grant pressed his small face against Walker’s leg. "Uncle, can you be my daddy? I want a daddy to be with me, too."

At these words, Walker Grant’s brows drew together. His tone deepened. "Who told you to say that?"

Children are perceptive. The boy trembled slightly and said, "I just want a daddy."

The implication was that no one had told him.

A faint chill washed over Walker Grant’s handsome face. He pushed Noah Grant away. "A dad and an uncle are the same thing, it’s just a different name for it. You can tell me whatever you want, and I’ll make sure you have it."

"But daddies and mommies live together," Noah Grant added, looking up at him. "Uncle, when are you going to live with my mommy?"

"If I live with your mother, then what about your auntie? Your auntie and I are the ones who are a family." The coldness in Walker Grant’s eyes deepened.

"Noah, what are you doing all the way over here?"

Sunny Reed’s anxious voice cut in. She hurried over, picked up Noah Grant, and said apologetically, "Walker, I hope Noah wasn’t bothering you."

"No," Walker Grant said, his tone flat. "Just take him home."

Sunny Reed hesitated. "Walker, have you and Chloe made up?"

"Yeah."

Walker Grant closed his eyes, clearly unwilling to speak any further.

Sunny Reed had no choice but to leave with Noah Grant in her arms.

The door to the hospital room clicked shut. Walker Grant’s brows furrowed as he opened his eyes. He pulled out his phone and made a call. "Have a word with Noah’s nanny. I want to know everything Sunny Reed has been saying to him."

...

Chloe Reed and Iris Yates went to a hot pot restaurant. While waiting in line for a table, they happened to run into Miles Hawthorne.

"Chloe Reed, what a coincidence. Fancy meeting you again." A smile played on Miles Hawthorne’s lips as he walked toward her.

Chloe Reed’s expression, however, was frosty. "What do you want?"

’He’s Walker Grant’s friend, and he’d taken Walker’s side. She was in no mood to deal with him!’