Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 861: Thinking of You Three Times a Day

Aurora pinched Joyce's little nose playfully. "You little rascal. Promise Mommy you'll listen to Uncle Ashy and won't cause any trouble."

"I promise to be on my best behavior!" Joyce immediately wiped away her tears, planting a kiss on Aurora's cheek. "Mommy, you're the best."

"Joyce, since you're studying in New York, aren't you going to stay with Grandma?" Tina asked, her voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.

Though Aurora, as the head of the family, had abolished many of the old R family traditions and rules, Joyce was still expected to live at the family villa.

Joyce quickly ran over to Tina and kissed her cheek too. "That place is way too big. I don't like it. Besides, Grandma needs to spend time with Grandpa. I don't want to be a third wheel."

"You cheeky little girl," Tina chuckled, slightly embarrassed.

"Don't worry, Joyce will be in good hands with me," Asher assured them for the third time. He had already prepared himself for her departure, but now that Joyce was staying with him, he couldn't help but feel excited.

"I'm not worried about you," Aurora teased. "I'm worried this little troublemaker might give you a hard time."

"Mommy, I'll really behave this time," Joyce said earnestly.

"That's more like it. But for now, you'll sleep with me for the next few nights," Aurora said, reluctant to part with her.

"Okay!" Joyce agreed cheerfully.

That night, after Aurora finished telling her a bedtime story and tucking her in, she

asked softly, "Joyce, can you tell Mommy why you're so determined to stay with Uncle Ashy?"

Joyce bit her finger and thought for a moment. "Because I like Uncle Ashy."

"Does that mean you don't like Grandma and Grandpa anymore?"

all of them. But

is he different?" Aurora asked seriously, treating her daughter's thoughts

Uncle Mio, Aunt Irene

him and don't want him to be by himself. Being alone is so sad.

innocent words carried a surprising

Uncle

her head. "Not sad, just

does a little girl like

know!" Joyce said confidently. "Loneliness is like when

but there's one kid who doesn't

thoughts of Aveline. "Are you talking about

us. But this other kid-he wanted to play with us but was too scared. He always stayed in

and lonely, so I went to play with him. After a while, he became more cheerful and

you're all having fun together, he just watches quietly. His shadow stretches

took a child's pure eyes to see the things adults overlooked. She gently patted Joyce's head, suddenly understanding her more

up to her name, bringing joy

angel. Mommy

elementary school as me. Wouldn't it be great if we

"Who's Rowan?"

shy and never talked, but now

knowingly. "Alright, I won't ask. Mommy's leaving tomorrow. Will

has to take care of the baby, so I'll try my best to only miss you three times a day," Joyce said

heartbreaking. Aurora kissed her on the forehead. "Be good, my love. Come visit Mommy during

be good too," Joyce said, patting Aurora's arm

At the end of the day, she was still just

off. Joyce smiled brightly the

dare let yourself get skinny. If