The Unveiled Rose

Zane returned to the amusement park.

I told him about my idea, "Zane, how about we bring Penelope to our place when we pick up Willow on weekdays? I think having her around might help Willow recover faster."

"That's actually a good idea," Zane agreed. "But there's an important issue to consider."

I listened patiently.

Zane slowly explained, "Suzy was dismissed from her old company and received a large severance package. She's also decided to join our company."

I was a little surprised. But recalling how much he had always admired Suzy, I smiled and said, "Well, congratulations!"

Zane gave me a thoughtful look. "Her working hours will be nine to five, with weekends off, so she should be able to spend time with Penelope. That means, even if we were willing to help by picking her up, she probably wouldn't agree." I felt a bit disappointed. "I see."

Zane gently patted my shoulder. "I know you're doing this for Willow's sake, but she's recovering so quickly these days. I think we can afford to slow things down a bit. Patience is key."

His words made sense. "You're right."

Just as our conversation ended, Suzy reached out to us, saying she didn't have work today and wanted to take Penelope out for a while.

We asked Penelope how she felt about it.

Penelope expressed that, although we were very kind to her, she still preferred being with Suzy.

Upon hearing this, Suzy quickly arrived to pick up Penelope, and the two left together.

It was lunchtime, so we decided to take Willow to enjoy a meal near the office.

Zane ordered, and I sat beside Willow, asking her gently, "Are you sad that she didn't stay with you?"

"Why would I be sad?" Willow asked, looking confused. "Kids always like their moms. I'm the same. She's been apart from her mom for so long.

"Now that she finally has a chance to be with her, of course, she'll want to stay close. If the same thing happened to me, I'd cling even more than she does." Listening to Willow, I realized she was already considering how others felt at such a young age.

How wonderful.

"But I know you'll never leave me," Willow said sweetly while hugging me. "Because you love me."

I smiled and hugged her back. "Of course."

Willow beamed. "And I love you, too."

At that moment, Zane chimed in, "What about me?"

Willow immediately responded, "I love Daddy, too!"

"Good." Zane seemed satisfied.

Without Penelope around, Willow wasn't in the mood to play outside, so we all went home.

Willow was eager to go upstairs and share her day's experiences with her dolls. But just as she took her first step, Zane pulled her back.

She looked at him, clearly frustrated. "What is it, Daddy?"

"We made some changes to your dolls." Zane thought it would be better to inform Willow. "We've installed a program inside your dolls so they can talk to you." Willow thought for a moment, then asked seriously, "So, no matter what I say to them today, they can answer me?"

Zane nodded. "Yes, but they're still just dolls."

Willow's lips curled into a smile. "I need to go try out the new feature!"

Only then did Zane let her go.

Willow ran into the bedroom. Gazing at the cotton doll, she tentatively asked, "Grandpa?"