Chapter 36
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Leonard had been raised well since childhood by Herman and Jessica. He grew up at the Pierce residence, where Joseph and Margaret showered him with endless love and devoted themselves to his upbringing.
He wondered, ‘If someone lends you a hand, return the favor. That’s just common courtesy!
“Ah, no-“Winifred pressed her lips together, but before the words of refusal could escape, Humbert moved to her side.
Leonard waved at Rosalind to ask her to get near him and said, “I’ll grab a shot of you and Uncle Humbert later, too.”
He thought it was fair–everyone would get their picture. He felt like a true genius.
“Alright,” Rosalind replied, smiling.
Winifred never dreamed she’d snap a photo with Humbert. He kept one hand in his pocket, the other dangling loose. It brushed her hand–just for a second.
The cool touch of his fingers made her want to pull her hand back instinctively. She breathed softly, eyes fixed ahead, as Leonard raised the phone. “Uncle Humbert, give us a smile!”
Humbert’s lips curled faintly into a smile.
Leonard added, “Winifred, smile for the picture too.”
As if programmed by some command, Winifred gave a forced smile. Humbert’s shoulder hovered just four inches from hers. From the corner of her eye, she could clearly make out the outline of his face.
Leonard snapped another shot of Rosalind and Humbert. Humbert was cooperative; he crouched down and touched Rosalind’s hair, which was soft as silk. Without thinking, Humbert stroked Rosalind’s hair.
She was sweet and pretty, her eyes bright and shining. But she was thin and frail, making anyone who saw her feel a bit sorry.
“How are you feeling? If you’re unwell, tell me,” Humbert said. After speaking, he belatedly caught the unexpected softness in his voice. To his surprise, he quite liked Rosalind.
Humbert didn’t see himself as someone easy to get along with. With so many patients in the hospital clinic, he’d even gotten complaints for his coldness and lack of warmth.
He hadn’t expected to feel the sudden tenderness for a girl he’d barely met. He’d seen so many patients, some far worse off, yet with her, something special stirred.
From behind Leonard, Winifred watched as Leonard took pictures. She also saw Humbert gently stroke Rosalind’s hair, his expression soft.
After she called Humbert last week and he came to her neighborhood gate, Winifred turned inward, reflecting on herself.
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Chapter 36
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She knew she’d run into Humbert in the city eventually. She’d made up her mind. After Rosalind had the surgery early next year, she’d leave with Rosalind.
She figured Hariston could be a fine choice. She hoped for their separate lives, each thriving apart.
“Winifred, could I scan your WhatsApp?” Leonard asked.
“Sure,” Winifred smiled as she pulled out her phone. But when she added the contact, she realized it was Humbert’s WhatsApp. The name was Pierce.
Leonard accepted immediately. He was using Humbert’s phone to take pictures. After adding Winifred on WhatsApp, he sent her a few photos right away.
Winifred looked at the photos she’d received. One was a picture of her and Humbert together. Besides the old class photo, it seemed like the first time they’d ever had a shot together. He smiled, chin tilted up.
They spent three years together in college, but it seemed they’d never taken a single photo.
Winifred was staring at the photo when Humbert walked over. She dropped her phone suddenly, fingers gripping tight, and took Rosalind’s hand.
“Rose, how about heading to the back? Looks like there’s a flower show back there,” she asked.
“Sure.” Girls tended to love flowers, so Rosalind waved to Leonard and followed Winifred off.
“Uncle Humbert, why don’t we go see the flowers too?” Leonard suggested.
Humbert watched Winifred’s hurried escape, frowning as he fought down his irritation. “Not going.”
“Uncle Humbert, I want to see,” Leonard insisted.
Humbert gripped Leonard’s shoulder, spinning him around. “Didn’t you say Exhibit Hall 2 has all the snacks?”
Leonard licked his lips, giving in to his craving. “Alright then.”
Humbert thought, ‘Now that she’s trying to keep her distance, it’s fine. I was just once her daughter’s doctor, though. And we’ve only met by chance a few times.
‘I was interested in her before. There’s something familiar about her, and she’s pleasant to look at. But she’s married, has a daughter, and tries to keep her distance. So why push things? Are we close? Truth is, we are almost strangers!
Humbert and Leonard arrived at Exhibit Hall 2–a place packed with hundreds of small stalls selling all sorts of snacks and local specialties. Prices were double what one would find outside, but parents, with kids in tow, happily gave in to their little ones‘ demands.
After all, there weren’t many killjoy parents around those days, especially not in the current generation.
Humbert opened PayPal, keyed in $300, and sent it to Leonard as a gift, so he could buy whatever he wanted. Suddenly, Leonard said, “Uncle Humbert, I want ice cream.”
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Chapter 36
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Humbert frowned, but before he could say a word, Leonard wiped his forehead dramatically. “Uncle Humbert, it’s scorching hot today. I’m soaked with sweat. Can I have some ice cream?”
After Humbert nodded, Leonard stood on tiptoe. “Miss, I’d like four ice creams–one strawberry for me. Uncle Humbert, what about you?” He tilted his head toward Humbert.
Humbert said, “I won’t have any. Just three, please.”
“I can help you with your share,” Leonard said. Then, using his smartwatch, he called Winifred. Rosalind answered, and Leonard asked about her favorite flavor.
Soon, Leonard said, “Miss, could I have pistachios for the other two, please?”
The girl behind the counter smiled, charmed by Leonard’s cuteness. She glanced at Humbert beside him and whispered to her colleague, “He’s really handsome.”
Then she turned to Leonard. “Hey there, our ice cream is self–serve. You can add any toppings or sauces you like. The most famous is the peanut–chocolate sauce. It sets into a crispy shell.”
Leonard licked his lips. “I’ll have one, but Winifred and Rosalind are allergic to peanuts, so…”
Humbert scanned his surroundings with a calm gaze. The crowd was mostly from the school group, mingled with a few other visitors.
Kids who knew Leonard waved to him from afar, and when parents caught sight of Humbert, they greeted him too. Humbert returned a polite nod.
He frowned at the word “allergic” and asked, “Leonard, what did you say just now?”
Leonard had to crane his neck to watch the ice cream being made. With a sweet smile, he asked, “Miss, could you add extra chocolate sauce to mine? I love chocolate. Thanks!”
“Sure, I’ll make yours with a double portion,” the girl said, instantly charmed by Leonard’s smile.
Leonard was utterly engrossed in eating–a true foodie. Exhibit Hall 2 was paradise for him. He hadn’t heard a word of what Humbert had asked.
Humbert lowered his voice. “Leo, what allergy did you say Winifred has?”
Leonard looked up at Humbert. He couldn’t understand why Humbert’s face had darkened, and he looked so
stern.
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Chapter 37
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
