His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter 35

I quickly fell into the rhythm of the kindergarten. My days were filled with coloring sessions, storytime, and the inevitable chaos of managing a room full of excitable children. But it wasn't just the work that changed me-it was the connection. The children, in their pure joy and curiosity, were helping me heal. As the children tugged at my hands, asking me to play, I realized that in helping them grow, they were helping me rebuild. Little by little, their laughter became a balm to the wounds I had carried for so long.

The d

at the kindergarten had become a comforting routine for me. The children's laughter, their bright eyes, and the way their tiny wolf tails wagged excitedly behind them filled the air with innocence.

It was soothing, almost healing. Each day, I felt the burden of my past lighten, even if just a little. Working there gave me a sense of purpose that I hadn't felt in a long time.

But there was one problem-Issca. He had always been a loyal friend, someone who stuck around no matter what. Lately, though, his frequent visits to the kindergarten were beginning to cause issues. A couple of times, his visits had coincided with Carlos being nearby, and each time, I could sense Carlos's growing displeasure.

One afternoon, while I was helping the children with their painting projects, Issca waltzed into the room with his usual carefree grin. He had that easy charm that made people gravitate toward him, and the kids adored him. They rushed over to show him their artwork, giggling and chattering in excitement.

"Hey, Doris! Thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing," Issca said, giving me a wink.

I tried to smile back, but my heart sank as noticed Carlos standing at the far end

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Chapter 35

hallway. His posture was stiff, his arms

disapproval in his eyes was unmistakable.

express his emotions openly, but over time, I'd learned to read his silent cues. This one

me the entire time, sharp and judging. I wanted to wave or at least acknowledge him, but Carlos

visiting more frequently in the past few weeks, and each time, Carlos's reaction had been the same-cold and distant. It wasn't just that he ignored Issca; he had started ignoring me too, as if Issca's

saw direction. I could feel the strain building, but I wasn't sure how

the children continued their painting. "We've talked about this. You can't

an eyebrow, the smile fading slightly. "What? Am I causing

doesn't like it when non-staff visit during working hours. It's starting to create problems for me." Issca's carefree expression faltered. He glanced toward the hallway where Carlos had disappeared, clearly surprised. "I didn't realize it was an issue. I just thought I'd brighten

he left, I watched him go, a pang of guilt twisting in my chest. Issca had been a steady presence in my life for so long, and now I was pushing him away. But I couldn't let his visits jeopardize my work-or whatever fragile connection

a few coworkers during our usual

Chapter 35