Chapter 186

Annie's POV

When we arrived at the preschool enatrance, the dismissal scene was already bustling with activity. Parents gathered in small groups near the gate while children raced toward them like flocks of cheerful birds. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Lucy's familiar silhouette.

Soon enough, I spotted that golden head. Lucy was already waiting by the entrance,waving excitedly when she saw us approach. "Mom! Dad! I'm over here!" Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement,her small face slightly flushed with anticipation.

I walked over to Lucy and crouched down to meet her at eye level.She immediately grabbed my hand and said eagerly. "Mom. Penny's mother hasn't arrived yet. I want to stay here with her." Her gaze held such genuine concern for her friend, and this natural display of kindness sent a warm current through my heart.

"Of course, sweetheart," I smiled, gently adjusting a few strands of hair on her forehead. "We'll wait until Penny's mom arrives."

Howard nodded in agreement behind me, his hand resting lightly on my.shoulder. Lucy smiled with satisfaction and ran backto Penny's side.I watched as the two children talked animatedly, sharing secrets that only they understood.

"They get along so well," Howard whispered near my ear.

We waited quietly to the side, Howard's hand remaining gently placed at the small of my back. His casual intimacy made me feel incredibly secure. Not long after. Sue Peterson arrived in a hurry, her face clearly apologetic as she immediately addressed her daughter: "I'm so sorry, sweetie. I'm a little late."

Penny shook her head understandingly. "It's okay, Mom. Lucy stayed with me," Her tone was surprisingly mature, impressing me with the thoughtfulness these young children sometimes displayed.

"Thank you for waiting for me," Sue gave Howard and me a grateful look before bending down to hug Penny. "Youa didn't wait too long, did you?"

"We actually just arrived ourselves," I responded warmly, then suggested,"Should we have lunch together, or would you prefer separate arrangements?"

This simple question prompted a series of glances: Sue looked at Penny.Penny looked at Lucy, and Lucy was surprised to find everyone waiting for her answer.

Lucy furrowed her brow in confusion. "Such a big decision for a little person like me?" Her small face displayed an adult-like perplexity that I couldnI't help but find endearing.

I gently ruffled Lucy's golden hair and replied,"Yes,sometimes adults need to hear what children think too."

Lucy thought seriously for a moment before answering. "Then let's eat together?" As she spoke, her gaze fell on Penny, and she added with a slightly pleading tone, "I want to spend more time with you."

Penny's face immediately lit up with a bright smile. "That's exactly...”

"What I was thinking too," she chimed in, and the two little girls high-fived with perfect synchronicity.

Seeing that the children had decided, Howard suggested, "I know a nice restaurant nearby that's perfect for kids."

So we chose that restaurant, known for being child-friendly-decorated with bright colors and cartoon characters, complete with a dedicated children's play area.

After ordering, Lucy and Penny pressed themselves against the display counter, staring in amazement at rabbit-shaped puddings. Their four big blue eyes widened with wonder, creating such an adorable scene that I couldn't resist taking a few photos with my phone.

"There are such cute puddings? How do they make them?" Lucy asked incredulously, her small finger pointing at the glass case.

Penny seemed equally shocked: "Yeah, I don't know either. But these chefs are so amazing."

Sue and I sat in seats next to the children, exchanging smiles,enjoying this rare moment of peace and warmth. Howard had gone to the restroom,leaving just us two mothers with the children at the table.

Sue poured me a glass of water and remarked thoughtfully,′′Inever imagined that life with children could be so fulfilling, especially after going through so many changes." Her voicecarried a hint of reflection, as though she was contemplating her own life journey.

"I know what you mean," I agreed wholeheartedly. "Before meeting Lucy.I even thought... that communicating with children meant constant arguments,making everyone miserable." My thoughts drifted involuntarily back to those difficult days with Brian, when no matter how hard I tried to do what was best for him, he never listened, always believing I was deliberately opposing him. That feeling of helplessness still tightened my

chest when I thought about it.

Sue seemed to notice my change in mood and asked curiously, "Your previous child, was he difficult?"

"Something like that. But rather than hating him, I disliked his father more. Because in my view... he was influenced by his father to gradually become that way." I sighed softly, unconsciously rotating mny water glass as I recalled those painful days.

Sue looked at me thoughtfully: "Then I'm guessing your ex-husband cheated? These men are all the same."

"Exactly. He thought the world should revolve around him." Thinking about Philip's arrogant attitude of entitlement, my voice inevitably carried a trace of bitterness.

Sue shook her head indignantly: "When a man betrays his marriage,he completely changes. It's like al the scumbags in the world are cut from the same mold-my ex-husband Dave was like that too. At first, it was all sweet talk about what he'd do for me, but as soon as we got married,his true colors showed." Anger flashed in her eyes. "Then all they think about is pleasing that third party, even turning their children into tools to impress her."

"That's so true!" I agreed emotionally. "Brian was led by his father to spend time with that woman Sarah. He constantly told our child she was better than me."

Sue reached out to pat my shoulder,her eyes full of understanding and sympathy: "New York is full of jerks like that. They think having a little money means they can hurt people however they want. After Dave left,he still tried to leech off me, shamelessly using Penny as an excuse. It's disgusting."Her voice carried the anger of someone who had been betrayed.a feeling I knew all too well.

L laughed softly: "After some things happened. I completely gave up on both father and son. Sometimes, the best choice is to let go and start over."As I said this. I was surprised to find my tone remarkably calm; those wounds that once kept me awake at night now seemed distant when I spoke of them.

"Absolutely," Sue nodded firmly,her eyes shining with the resilience that comes from shared pain. "Only when you move forward do you realize how much better the world and the people out there can be. Those jerks don't deserve our tears."

I looked toward Lucy, who was laughing and paying, and felt a warmth rising in my chest: "Otherwise, I wouldn't have met such a sweet,lovely daughter, and I wouldn't have met Howard-he made me believe again that there are still good men in this world worth trusting."

Just then, the server brought our food. I raised my voice: "Lucy, Penny,time to eat!"

"Yay!" The two little girls responded cheerfully, hopping over to the table like two lively bunnies.

Howard had returned and was already seated at the table. Sue and I took the children to the restroom to wash their hands. After that rare conversation between women, I felt a special connection with Sue--as mothers who had both experienced marital betrayal, our pain and growth shared remarkable similarities.

When we returned to the table, Lucy's cheeks were flushed with excitement as she told me, "Mom, the play area over there is so much fun! I want to go back after I finish eating!" Her blue eyes sparkled with anticipation,the kind of pure joy that made me want to grant her every wish.

"Me too!" Penny immediately agreed, and the two girls high-fived again,as if they had already planned their entire afternoon activities.

"Oh?" Seeing the children had reached a consensus,I raised an eyebrow and smiled, "But don't you have your performance this afternoon? After lunch. don't you want to get your hair done nicely?" I gently twirled a lock of Lucy's golden curls with my finger. "When will you have time to sort out your hairstyle?"

The two little girls looked at each other, their expressions changing from excitement to confusion, then to distress. Lucy bit her lower lip,caught in an innocent dilemma, her eyes moving back and forth between the play area and me.

"Could we... get our hair done first, then play for a little while?" Lucy suggested tentatively.

I nodded in agreement: "That's a good idea, sweetheart. After we eat,I'll help you both with your hair, then you can play for a bit, but remember to leave enough time to get back and prepare for the performance,okay?"

"Okay!" The two little girls answered in unison,smiles returning to their faces.

Watching them thinking so seriously, a warmth spread through my heart.These small moments of hesitation showed they were beginning to understand the importance of appearance and the responsibility of preparing for important occasions-a sign of growth that was far mnore mature than Brian's recklessness and selfishness. Perhaps, as Sue had said, sometimes you need to experience a painful ending before you can welcome a beautiful beginning.