Shawn took the driver’s seat, while Holden settled into the back with
Adele. Gently, he placed her on his lap and deftly tied up her hair.
Holden’s fingers worked through her hair, and he asked, “Adele, is your hair tied too tight? If it’s
uncomfortable, just let Daddy know, alright?”
Adele remained quiet, head lowered. She fiddled with a bunny-shaped hair tie in her small hands.
Holden’s patience remained unwavering as he continued speaking with tenderness.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“If anything doesn’t feel right in your body, you have to tell me, okay?”
Shawn had mentioned that Adele had undergone a thorough medical examination yesterday, and
Holden had reviewed the medical report himself.
Yet, an underlying unease persisted within him.
Adele shook her head and passed the rabbit hair tie to Holden.
Seeing his daughter’s adorable face, Holden’s heart melted.
He smiled and gave her head a gentle rub, reaching for the hair tie to secure her hair. However, Adele
seemed to have spotted something outside.
Suddenly, she pressed her face against the window, her gaze intently fixed beyond the glass. With both
hands, she started tapping on the window.
Holden was surprised by this unusual behavior, as Adele had never displayed such excitement before.
He followed her gaze and saw a young boy sitting near a shop’s entrance, waiting. He looked
somewhat familiar.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIn a flash, Holden remembered. This was the same boy who had been hiding beneath his table at the
ball the previous night – Melon, if he recalled correctly.
As Holden pondered why Adele was reacting so strongly, she called out in a soft voice, “Melon.”
It was the very first time he had heard his daughter address someone.
Holden found himself both astonished and delighted.
Promptly, Holden ordered, “Turn around! Stop here.
The place they had driven past was right along the train tracks, so when