Kevan looked up and saw the deep blue ceiling. It was covered in star-shaped lights. A sparkling silver galaxy surrounded the lights. Gold dust shimmered around it."These were all painted by Mommy! Godma told me that whenever Mommy had time, she would come here to paint stars for me, even when she was really busy!" Aster boasted proudly.A scene of a slender and delicate woman standing alone on a ladder appeared in Kevan's mind. She held a palette in one hand and a brush in the other. She was focused on painting the ceiling. How did she feel at that time? Probably happy, just like how he felt right now, looking at her "masterpiece."However, compared to her, he also felt a hint of inexplicable bitterness."Does Mommy like ... I mean, the stars in the sky?" Kevan struggled to speak. His voice was hushed and hoarse. Larissa must have liked stars a lot. He couldn't think of any other reasons she would name her son "Aster" and put so much effort into decorating the room.Aster lo

Kevan had always been a good cook. But due to his busy schedule, he didn't get many chances to cook. Kevan unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his forearms. He also took off his wristwatch and placed it on the coffee table in the living room.Wendy was always concerned about the hygiene of outside food. So, she would make dinner for Aster every day, no matter how busy or tired she was. As a result, Kevan found the ingredients she had yet to use up from the fridge.Yet, when Kevan took out the steak and large prawns from the freezer, Aster immediately showed a disappointed face."I don't want steak or prawns for dinner," he expressed his opinion. Wendy's home-cooked meals were limited. She would usually fry the steak and prawns in butter and sprinkle some black pepper on them. This would be their usual dinner whenever she returned home late."I'm tired of them." Aster wrinkled his face. He glanced at the steak and prawns before turning away.He understood

What's wrong? Tell Daddy. I promise I'll help you out," Kevan assured Aster.When Aster heard the word "Daddy," his heartache intensified, and tears started flowing down his cheeks. His tears soaked Kevan's shirt. Kevan grew even more concerned, comforting Aster with one hand on his back while gently wiping away the tears from his face."If you really don't want steak and prawns, I'll go out right now and get you something else. Please, don't cry anymore, alright?" Kevan spoke softly and tenderly. He lifted Aster in his arms and walked to the living room in big strides."No ..." Aster stammered. Kevan's heart clenched at the sight of his son's teary, pitiful expression. "I ... it's not … because of that..." Aster's breath was unsteady, and his words came out in fragments."What's it about then?" Kevan remained extremely patient, showing no hint of annoyance.Aster fell silent again. There was a mix of hesitation, conflict, and fear in his eyes. Kevan remained quiet; he did not urg

Kevan fried the marinated beef. He also cooked the prawns that had been cleaned. Then, he coated the prawns with a sauce made from Greek yogurt and lemon juice. He also prepared the sweet potatoes and quickly whipped up some scrambled eggs.The spaghetti was ready by then, so he served two helpings and brought them to Aster. Aster was already eagerly waiting in the dining room."Whoa!" Aster couldn't help but drool, but he refrained from picking up his utensils until Kevan sat down."Daddy, you should go ahead and eat first!" Although he was speaking to Kevan, his eyes were locked on the mouthwatering skewered meat.Kevan smiled and picked up a piece of skewered meat, placing it on Aster's plate. "Give it a try and tell me how it tastes."The meat had cooled down by then. Aster grabbed the skewer and took a big bite. The seasoning smeared all over his mouth. However, he seemed oblivious to it. With a big thumbs up, he exclaimed, "This is the most delicious thing I've ever eaten!"

Wendy had seen photos of Kevan on Aster's phone. Also, Aster had already informed her that Kevan would be coming to cook for him today. So, she rushed back from work as soon as possible. Fortunately, she caught him just in time."Mr. Rogers, I've heard so much about you." She showed no sign of hesitation as she confidently approached him and extended her hand.He stared at her hand. He hesitated for a moment before finally shaking it.Of course, she didn't miss this small detail. She had heard about how much of a clean freak Kevan was. That was why she took the initiative to shake hands with him, just to see how he would react.She had anticipated a refusal, but whatever happened only deepened her smile."I heard from Aster that you're going to cook for him today?" She glanced at the dining table, which was empty. She continued, "Is the dinner not ready yet?"Aster chimed in, "We've already eaten! Daddy's cooking is super delicious! Even better than ... I mean, the food at rest

Kevan couldn't figure out what had angered Larissa. After he replied to her, she didn't respond to him anymore.On the other hand, Wendy was exceptionally polite to him. She even brought out her best vodka as a "thank you" gesture.They sat on the couch, sipping vodka and chatting, while Aster nestled in Kevan's arms, quietly playing with his toys.Wendy shifted the topic to Aster, saying, "He really likes you."Kevan smiled softly as he gently patted Aster's head. "I know.""What's your plan? About your future with Larissa, I mean," she asked directly, her eyes locked onto his.Kevan, for a rare moment, avoided her gaze, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of the vodka glass. What did he think? Of course, he would love to have a future with Larissa. But the crucial question was, what did Larissa think?He had hurt Larissa deeply in the past. Although she hadn't shown any aversion to him now, he still feared that she would push him away once more if he proposed getting bac

"I'm sorry. I had an accident a few years ago, and I don't remember anything from the past," Kevan apologized with a smile, using "amnesia" as an excuse for his lack of recollection."Oh, right ..." Only then did Wendy recall that Larissa had mentioned this before. She felt a bit annoyed with herself—had she been talking to a brick wall earlier?Kevan continued to play his part, acting as if he truly had amnesia. "Did I know Larissa before? No one has ever told me about it. Can you give me more details about what you said earlier?""Forget it." Wendy wasn't sure how to explain their complicated history in such a short time. "Since you don't remember, let's just start fresh, shall we? Do you like Larissa?" she asked him earnestly.Though he couldn't find the right words to express himself to Larissa, with Wendy, he responded smoothly, "Yes, I do," even though he blushed with shyness."Do you want to be with her?""Yes.""Do you promise to treat Aster as your own and take good car

In the early morning, Kevan headed to the hospital. He was carrying the breakfast he had packed from the hotel. To his surprise, he found the room empty. He quickly stopped a passing nurse and pointed to the vacant ward. He asked, "Where did the patient go?"The nurses at this hospital were all experienced. Therefore, they were all older. However, when the nurse—a middle-aged local with extensive experience—saw Kevan's face, she still showed visible admiration. "Wow, you speak the Aldovian language well. Your accent is quite charming as well," she complimented instinctively.Although Kevan hadn't studied abroad, his grandfather had the foresight to hire an Aldovian tutor for him when he was young. This was to prepare him for expanding the company's business overseas. The tutor was a native Aldovian speaker. He had a beautiful and sexy Aldovian accent. Kevan had learned his intonation perfectly.Kevan had received numerous compliments on his accent from foreign business partners.

Larissa sat on the bed. Gary smoothly poured a cup of hot tea for her. Lewis went to the restroom and returned with a towel to wipe the sweat off her face.Kevan stood awkwardly on the side, unable to find a way to join in.Her attention had been on him all along. Sensing his discomfort, she quickly changed the topic, asking, "Why are you here so early?"He shook the breakfast container in his hand, his tone carrying a hint of bitterness. "I thought you were still asleep, so I brought you breakfast.""Oh ..." She inexplicably felt a bit apologetic. "I wake up at 7 am every day. Then, I have breakfast and do the rehabilitation." She had been a model patient at the hospital, sticking to a routine of early to bed and early to rise, actively cooperating with treatment, and showing remarkable progress in recovery. The doctors often use her as an example to motivate other patients."It's fine," Kevan replied indifferently. He raised his arm, about to toss the breakfast container into

Since Gary still had a meeting, he left with Lewis. He was unhappy after getting lectured by Larissa. Kevan stayed behind to keep Larissa company. To cheer her up, he brought her downstairs in a wheelchair to bask in the sun. The small park at the hospital was one of the few peaceful places in Westonia. There weren't many tall buildings around to block out the sun. So, the warm sunrays shone down on the people in the park. It bathed them in a dazzling golden glow. Before they went out, Kevan wrapped Larissa in a thick down coat and covered her legs with a thick blanket. Still, Larissa found herself feeling hot after a couple of minutes. She unzipped the coat. Kevan frowned in disapproval. He went around the wheelchair. He knelt in front of her, zipping the coat back up to her chin. His fingers were long and slender. In contrast to the red coat, his skin looked even paler than usual. It made the bluish veins underneath more apparent. Larissa couldn't help but stare at Kevan.