At Devis Mansion
Jonathan carried Megan out with fear written all over his face.
Jonathan:
"Joseph… take care of Justin and the kids. Don't leave them alone. 😨"
Justin had woken up, but his expression was empty—
his eyes locked on the blood on Megan's head.
Jonathan:
"I'll take Megan to the hospital. Hurry!"
Joseph:
"Y-Yes, brother. 😤 Go!"
Jonathan rushed out.
---
🕒 Few Hours Later…
The children sat silently in the living room.
The blood stain on the floor had been cleaned, but its memory lingered like a ghost.
Eric clung to Thomas's sleeve.
Emily hugged a pillow tightly.
Lussy's legs shook under the table.
Joseph tried to sound normal.
Joseph:
"Do you kids… want to eat something? 😊"
Lussy quickly raised her hand.
Lussy:
"I want noodles. 😊"
Joseph looked at Thomas and Emily.
Joseph:
"And you two?"
Lussy answered for them, arms crossed:
Lussy:
"They'll have the same thing, uncle. 😤"
Joseph smiled faintly, then looked at Justin and Eric.
Justin sat stiffly.
Blank eyes.
Completely emotionless.
The image of Megan lying in blood kept replaying in his mind.
Eric gently nudged him.
Eric:
"Same, uncle. 😊"
Joseph nodded.
Joseph:
"Alright. 😊"
He left to prepare food.
---
🍽️ Dinner Time
When Joseph returned with plates, everyone sat around quietly.
Except—
A soft little laugh escaped Eric's mouth while he slurped his noodles.
Eric:
"Hehehe… it's tasty. 😁"
Everyone turned to him in surprise.
He rarely ate properly at school.
Usually he chewed slowly, scared, cautious…
But right now—
he was smiling.
Happy.
Relaxed.
Justin stared at him with wide eyes.
Justin:
He's… laughing?
He never laughs in school…
For the first time since the incident, Justin's frozen heart melted a little.
His lips twitched upward.
Justin:
🥰
Joseph noticed the change.
Joseph:
"You feeling alright, Justin? 😊"
Justin nodded softly.
Justin:
"Yes, uncle… 😊"
Eric looked at him and smiled brightly, noodles stuck on the corner of his mouth.
Justin felt his chest warm.
Joseph clapped his hands.
Joseph:
"Alright. After eating, you kids sleep here in the guest room.
I'll sleep on the sofa next to you. 😊
No one is sleeping alone tonight."
Children:
"Okay… 😊"
Joseph looked at Eric.
Joseph:
"And Eric? What about you, son? Will your mom let you stay?"
Eric immediately nodded.
Eric:
"I'll tell her. 🙂"
He used the teacher's phone to call Edy.
Eric:
"Mom… can I stay at Devis house tonight?"
Edy (excited):
"Of course, darling! Stay as long as you want! 🥰
And remember— don't ask Amber anything yet. Do what I told you, okay?"
Eric:
"Okay, mom… 🙂"
He returned to the room.
Eric:
"Mom said yes! 😊"
Lussy cheered and hugged him.
Lussy:
"Yay!! Sleepover!! 😁"
Justin turned away, hiding the shy smile tugging at his lips.
---continue