Esteban, seeing that he couldn’t persuade her, could only leave feeling frustrated. As he left, he still earnestly advised, “Licia, don’t just focus on immediate gains and losses, think about the long term. I’ll come to see your and Mina when I have time next.”
When he left. he refused to take the card, but it didn’t matter, Felicia had no intention of using it anyway.
As he went downstairs, Esteban encountered Seymour.
Seymour was a bit surprised. “Dad, you came to see her.”
“Yes.”
Esteban remembered Felicia’s decisive tone just now, hesitated, and said, “When I left, Licia had just gone to bed. She’s still weak after giving birth. Sey, you should come next time.”
Seymour raised an eyebrow slightly. “Alright, I’ll come next time.”
He didn’t explore the meaning behind Esteban’s words, but he guessed Felicia was still angry with him.
Seymour was actually holding back his own frustration.
He had come several times and been rejected each time; it was hard for anyone to stay in a good mood.
“Sey, how has Ambi been lately? Is everything at home going well?”
Seymour paused slightly. He wanted to say it was not good, very bad, even a complete mess.
He had come today after much thought, intending to persuade Felicia to come home.
But in front of Esteban, Seymour couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“Dad, everything is fine. In a couple of days. Mabel will perform at Ambi’s kindergarten. I’m very grateful she’s there to help out.”
Esteban frowned, wanting to say something, but in the end, he said. nothing.
Soon, the day of the kindergarten performance arrived.
Ambrose once again proudly carried his little backpack.
He had felt embarrassed at school these past two days, always sensing that other kids were talking about him behind his back.
Once the kids saw his beautiful aunt, he thought, they would beg to make up with him.
Mabel wore a white dress today, her long hair falling over her shoulders, looking gentle and lovely.
Ambrose’s eyes lit up. “Wow, Auntie Mabel, you look so beautiful today!”
“Thank you, Ambi. Let’s go to school.”
Ambrose’s teacher scheduled Mabel’s performance last, as the highlight.
Given her concert–level skill, they had great confidence in her performance.
Ambrose wore a little suit and a red bow tie; his performance was the third from last.
His expressive poetry recitation received applause from many of the children.
Many parents admired Ambrose, “Ambrose is so talented! Does your mom usually practice with you?”
Mom?
Ambrose tilted his head. “My mom is just my audience. I learn from those people on TV”
This statement drew more praise from the parents.
A few compliments made him seem like a little genius.
But he didn’t mention Felicia’s nightly corrections of his tone and diction.
Finally, it was Mabel’s turn to perform.
Ambrose sat in the audience and listened to the conversation of the ladies beside him.
“Ah, this is the final act invited by Ambrose. It seems to be a cellist who has even performed concerts.”
“This pleasant tune is definitely different from what amateurs play.”
Everyone was deeply absorbed in it, and as the piece ended, applause filled the hall.
A kid who was friends with Ambrose asked, “Ambrose, is this your new mom?”
Ambrose wrinkled his nose. Although he wished Mabel was his mom, he answered honestly, “No, this is my auntie. Isn’t she amazing?”
“Oh, it’s your auntie. I always hear you complain about your mom, so I thought you were getting a new one. Your auntie is so impressive. Ambrose, do you wish your auntie was your new mom?”
