Chapter 173

Bruce's face darkened. "It's only seven o'clock."

Joanna insisted, getting out of bed. "It's not early. It's already seven o'clock. Pack up. We'll be past eight o'clock when we reach the hospital."

Bruce remained silent.

Davian yawned and mumbled, "Huh? Why are we sleeping on this bed?"

Irvin stretched and stood. "That's right. We slept with Mommy yesterday!"

"Why are we on this bed now? Mommy, what's going on?"

"Urgh Get up and change your clothes!" Joanna said, unable to explain. She quickly helped the two boys get dressed and washed.

Irvin glanced at Bruce and whispered, "Mommy, why is he here? Last night, you guys"

Joanna's face burned. She pinched Irvin's nose. "Don't be nosy!"

"Okay"

Joanna took the boys to the washroom. Bruce returned to his room to change.

Twenty minutes later, after they had breakfast, Bruce drove them to the hospital.

In the hospital ward, the boys ran to Lilia's bed. "Lilia, we're here to see you!"

Lilia's eyes lit up. "Mommy, Daddy, Davian, Irvin, you're here!"

"Yes, Lilia. Look, we brought you flowers!" Davian and Irvin presented a bouquet of sunflowers.

"Thank you!" Lilia smiled.

"Feeling better today?"

"Yup!"

Davian blinked worriedly. "Lilia, are you feeling unwell? Does your body still hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore!"

"Davian, Irvin, where have you been these past few days?"

Irvin, cunningly, replied, "We went to Daddy's house. It's like a castle! It's really big, and there are a lot of toys."

Lilia looked envious. "Is Daddy's house fun?"

Irvin's face clouded. "It's fun and not fun. It has lots of toys, but no children, no Mommy, and no Lilia!"

Lilia looked innocently at Bruce. "Daddy, when I recover, can I go to your house to play too?"

Bruce was speechless. "Silly, Daddy's home is your home. You're welcome anytime!" Joanna was equally speechless.

The children were too young to understand.

Lilia turned to Joanna. "Mommy, when I recover, let's go to Daddy's house to play, okay?"

Joanna pursed her lips. "Be good. We'll talk about it after you've recovered."

"Daddy, Mommy, Lilia loves you." Lilia held both their hands together, smiling sweetly. "I'm so happy to have you all!" She blinked pitifully. "Please don't split up again?"

Joanna felt a pang in her heart and instinctively wanted to pull away her hand.

Bruce's heart softened. He held Joanna's hand and then his daughter's. "Lilia is right. We'll never be separated again!"

"Really?" Lilia's eyes widened.

Bruce kissed her cheek. "Of course, as long as Mommy is willing!" He subtly signaled Lilia to intercede.

Lilia nodded. "Don't worry, Daddy." She turned to Joanna. "Mommy, promise me, okay? Don't be separated from Daddy again."

Joanna took a deep breath. "Baby, even if Daddy and Mommy aren't together, we'll still love you!" She knew reconciliation was impossible; the pain of loving him was too much. She'd moved on.

Lilia looked disappointed. "Mommy, Daddy is so good. He's handsome and gentle. Why did you leave him? He's the best daddy in the world!"

Bruce, despite hearing countless compliments, felt his heart soar at his daughter's words. "See? My daughter has better taste than you!"

Joanna's face darkened. Daughters were closer to their fathers, it seemed.

Davian scowled. "Lilia, Mommy is the best woman in the world! That big baddie is fierce and annoying. He's not worthy of Mommy! I don't want him to be our daddy!"

Bruce sputtered, the smile instantly vanishing from his face. "This brat!"

Irvin chimed in, "Mommy, Mr. Grimm is the best man in the world. I'd rather he be our daddy."

Bruce's blood pressure soared. He considered pinching them both. Father and sons as enemies in a past life, he thought—they were here for revenge.

Joanna intervened. "You're too young to discuss adult matters! I'll be angry if anyone says anything else."

"Okay," Davian and Irvin mumbled, heads down.

The doctor and nurse entered. The doctor examined Lilia. "She's recovering well. We can schedule the next surgery."

"Thank you, Doctor!"

"Will she recover soon?"

"Yes, if all goes well."

The boys jumped excitedly.

Bruce glanced at them. "Alright, you've seen your sister. Time to go back!"

Joanna frowned. "They've only been here a short while. Let them play a little longer!"

Bruce scowled. "Lilia is weak. They're jumping around—it'll affect her rest!"

"They're happy for their sister. They're usually obedient and care about her!"

"No, send them back now!" He didn't want to see them.

Lilia looked at Bruce pleadingly. "Daddy, can't Davian and Irvin stay?"

Bruce, his heart softening, nodded.

"Thank you, Daddy! You're so nice!" Lilia beamed.

Joanna was stunned. Bruce had ignored her pleas, but obeyed his daughter instantly. It was truly magical—a daughter was her father's lover in a past life, they said.

They started chatting about kindergarten.

"Bruce, they haven't been to school for a long time! We should send them back."

"They can go to a kindergarten in Greyport. Why Venturas?"

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