I was unsure whether to believe this child's words. She seemed unaware of the truth. On the other hand, how could Natalia hide the truth from?

After sighing, I shook my head. "Didn't Eric go to your parents' meeting?"

She nodded slightly. "But Mommy had an exam that day. Uncle Eric said she shouldn't worry and accompanied her."

"She had an exam? She's studying?"

"Mommy finished her studies. Don't you know that?"

I didn't. Had Natalia continued her studies? Had she even graduated?

Then I remembered her giving up school to marry me. Her adoptive father had said she chose not to continue her education. I'd assumed she wasn't a good student and hadn't asked.

While I pondered this, Aria mumbled, "Uncle Eric told us to call him Dad. But Mommy told us not to. He just loves us; we shouldn't take it seriously."

I was stunned. I looked at her face and asked, "Then who is your dad?"

Tears filled her eyes. "He's not with us. He's no more."

I was shocked. "What?"

"Mommy said our dad is gone. She said not to talk about him. So Noah and I never do."

"He's gone?" I repeated, my thoughts swirling. If Eric were their father, Natalia wouldn't have told her children that. It was impossible for her to erase their father's image while he was still alive.

A weight lifted from my chest, though I didn't understand why. The news of their father's death

"Tell me more about your dad," I said.

She shook her head. "No. Mommy said not to talk about him."

I rubbed my forehead, my senses overwhelmed. Aria looked sad again.

I got out of the car, opened her door, and carried her. "Let's get some ice cream. Don't be sad."

She hugged me tightly, fearful of being lost again. I held her close, reassuring her.

Everyone stared as we entered the ice cream parlor. I went straight to the counter, ignoring the others. "Order whatever you want."

She chose vanilla and chocolate, grabbing the ice cream when it arrived.

"Eat here or in the car?"

She looked around. "It's beautiful. I want to eat here."

I led her to a table, sat opposite her, and watched her eat with pure joy. She was adorable, reminding me of her mother.

Watching her, I wondered if her mother had been equally childlike. She must have lived as an orphan. Had she been poor, or did she have a privileged life? As far as I remembered, Gamma Jeremy hadn't adopted Natalia at a young age.

"How's Mom?" I asked abruptly.

"She's the best mom in the world," she replied.

"And?"

"She wants us to be happy. So Noah and I want her to be happy too."

"How?"

Leaning closer, as if confiding a secret, she said, "I heard Grandma tell Grandpa that Mommy is alone and needs a husband to protect her."

I was taken aback. "What else did your grandma say?"

"She said Mommy always cries alone, but never shows us her pain."

My heart froze. Why did she cry? Wasn't she happy with her boyfriend?

"Is Uncle Eric her boyfriend?"

Her eyes widened. "Is he?"

"I'm asking you."

I'd lost my mind. Why was I asking a child this? Why was I so desperate to know about her mother's life?

"Forget it," I muttered.

"Uncle Eric is Uncle Jason's friend. He's very caring. Noah and I like him a lot."

Her praise of Eric enraged me.

"Are you done?" I asked, standing.

She looked at her ice cream and shook her head.

Sighing, I sat down, letting her finish peacefully. Then, my phone rang—a familiar number.

My mood lifted unexpectedly. I glanced at Aria and answered.

"Where's my daughter?" Natalia's frantic voice filled my ear. I didn't speak, only hearing her breathing.

"Why aren't you speaking? Where is she?" she shouted.

"She's with me," I replied coldly.

"Give me my daughter back! Why did you kidnap her? She's just a child! How could you, Adrian? Do you have any shame?"

Her words didn't anger me. I listened calmly.

I wondered what Patric had told her. Had he said I kidnapped her daughter? Did he think I had nothing better to do?

"Do you want your projects back? Tell me, Adrian. What do you want?"

"The truth."

"W-What?"

I looked at Aria, who grinned at me. I smiled back, but my voice remained unchanged as I replied to her mother, "I want the truth about your children's father. I'm sending you an address. Come get your daughter. But you won't leave without telling me the truth."