Holden watched Sadie cradle Adele, and his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

He could sense something was amiss from the way they were both behaving. He turned over what Adele had just said in his mind, fathoming what she could have meant.

Suddenly, he became aware that Adele was crying and calling him. He snapped out of his thoughts. He quickly took Adele to his arms and comforted her cries. Then, he turned to Sadie and said, “I’ll take her upstairs to wash up.”

Sadie didn’t dare to object.

With Adele snuggled in his arms, sniffling occasionally, Holden carried her upstairs to clean her up. While washing, he squatted down and asked gently, “Adele, how much cake did you eat just now?”

Adele kept her head down and remained silent, twiddling her tiny fingers. Holden tried again softly and gently.

Mommy give you a lot to eat? Is

played with the buttons on her shirt as if

try and persuade her to speak as

wiped Adele’s face, washed his hands, and was about to help her dry hers when Adele suddenly mumbled,

appeared somewhat disjointed and Adele’s voice barely reached Holden’s ears, it caused Holden’s heart to skip a beat, prompting him to kneel

more. Despite Holden’s persistent inquiries, she refused to speak, merely extending her

Holden understood that “down” implied a trip to the study. He carried her

entering the study, Adele wriggled free from Holden’s embrace and toddled to the desk to retrieve his phone.

she proffered the device

beseeching gaze. He crouched down, his fingers tenderly grazing Adele’s tousled hair, as he gently inquired, “Adele, do you wish to make a phone call to

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