Emma Johnson never imagined she'd have the chance to take Charlie and Liam for a walk like this.
She'd never even considered it. Not once.
Watching Charlie bounce along the path, Emma realized how much she'd overlooked these simple moments. She'd hardly ever taken him out to play. No wonder he was so thrilled.
"Mom, you and Dad enjoy your time together. I'll go ahead." With that, Charlie dashed forward at full speed.
"Be careful," Emma called out.
The mountain path wasn't like regular roads. No matter how smooth it looked, there was still a slope. One careless fall could end badly.
Charlie didn't care about any of that. He just wanted to rush ahead, giving Emma and Liam more time alone.
As Charlie disappeared around the bend, Emma shot Liam a jealous look. "What did you do to Charlie? Why is he helping you so eagerly?"
Liam feigned innocence. "I didn't do anything."
He genuinely hadn't. How could his son's natural affection for him become some kind of conspiracy?
Liam felt unfairly accused. Maybe he should speed things up, achieve his goal faster, and win Emma back as soon as possible.
Besides, when had Emma started talking like this? He'd never noticed this side of her before. It was a new discovery.
"What? Are you jealous that Charlie likes me?" Liam's smile made his sharp features even more charming under the sunlight.
Emma quickly looked away. She couldn't let him see how his smile affected her.
"It's not jealousy. I'm just worried you'll steal Charlie from me." She shot him a displeased glance.
Charlie came from her womb. Whether he'd be lured away or not, she couldn't just let it happen. But she'd never admit she was jealous.
Charlie used to be hers alone, especially when they were abroad. Now that they were back in China, he'd spent only a few days with Liam and was already so close to him. Of course, Emma felt resentful.
After all, she'd raised Charlie alone for years. Liam had done nothing.
Wouldn't it be humiliating if her place was completely replaced so quickly?
Liam knew exactly what Emma was thinking. Every twist and turn in her heart showed on her face, though she didn't realize it.
"The sun's getting stronger. We should head down soon." Watching Charlie's small face flush with sweat from all his jumping, Emma grew worried.
Children's bodies weren't as resilient as adults'. Liam agreed and went to stop Charlie, ready to take him down the mountain.
"Son, let's go!" Liam lifted Charlie onto his shoulders and ran straight downhill. "Father and son, setting sail!"
Emma had wanted them to walk down carefully. Going downhill was always more dangerous than climbing up. But when she saw Liam carrying Charlie and running fast, she immediately chased after them. "Liam, stop! If you drop Charlie, I'll have words with you!"
Liam didn't care at all. He sped up instead, turning to whisper to Charlie, "Charlie, should we let Mom catch us?"
"Yes, yes! Dad, run faster! Don't let Mom catch us, or my butt will be sore!"
Emma was stunned by Liam's words. Then Charlie's response made her want to scream. Those two were definitely father and son—blood-related father and son, both full of mischief.
But Emma preferred to believe Charlie had been corrupted by Liam.
Wait, when had she ever hit him? If he said things like that while she was chasing them, wouldn't people think she abused him at home?
"You little brat! When we get home, I'll make sure your butt is sore! Just wait!"
They ran happily along the mountain path, Charlie riding on Liam's shoulders.
Though Liam couldn't see Emma behind him, he could imagine her expression perfectly. A slight smile curved his lips.
Maybe happiness was like this—you might not be able to see her, but you knew she was right there beside you, always.
After dinner at the villa at the foot of the mountain, the family of three slowly departed in the golden glow of the setting sun.
"Mom, I'll miss you." Charlie hugged Emma tightly, stealing a kiss on her cheek before finally letting go.
"I know. Go home with your dad." Emma smiled softly, set Charlie down, and opened her car door.
"Goodbye, Emma."
Emma had already started the engine before Liam finished speaking.
She glanced back. One tall, one small—their father-son silhouettes stretched long in the sunset, bathed in a thick layer of gold.
Halfway through her drive, Emma suddenly spotted several familiar figures waiting at a traffic light. She couldn't be mistaken.
Those were the thugs who'd tried to kidnap her a few days ago!
The light turned green. Emma should have driven through, but she stopped right in front of the crosswalk.
"Do you think that woman's been won over by Liam? But she's really gorgeous. If it weren't for Liam, I wouldn't have let her go that day." One thug spoke as he smoked.
"Come on, Liam's generous enough. That's not enough to fill your stomach? You're still thinking about other men's women." The man beside him knocked the first one on the head.