“Haven't you been trying?” Her mother asked her. “I didn't ask you because I knew it would hurt you. I was trying to avoid getting you hurt–”“And so you chose to ridicule me in front of the entire kitchen crew and security team.” Janet cut her mother off. “What is so shameful about adoption? When your husband was still married to his ex wife, he took her son in and raised him like his own.”“That is different! The boy belonged to his wife! What was he supposed to do? Get married to her and throw her son away?” Janet squinted her eyes as she spat out. “Can we just calm down?” Ivan interfered in a tone that was obvious he was trying to sound calm but he was already getting angry. “There is no reason for us to bring up my ex wife and her son. Janet is right, it is a completely different scenario but that's not what's important here.”Janet scoffed silently as she folded her arms below her breast. Ivan continued. “We are all adults here, there is no reason for us to be bickering and f
All eyes stared surprisedly at her. Ivan couldn't hide the shock he was in as his eyes widened and his jaw fell open. “What do you… I mean… how do you… why?” Ivan stuttered as he tried to ask her a question. He shook his head. “What I meant to say is… why the sudden change of heart? I haven't lost hope in you. Honestly I believe that you can do this, I believe WE can do this so why do you want to adopt?” She smiled. A soft and gentle smile as her gaze fell to her plate. Then she looked up at him to meet his gaze. “I know, I know you have hope in me and I know you all want to support me and make me give it a try, believe me I want to do the same as well. I want to trust myself too, no, I do trust myself, what I mean is…“There's nothing wrong in adopting one or two and even if I later have a child of my own, it's never too much. As you both know, mom and dad, I love children more than anything in this world and I have always wanted to have about four of them.” She said with a soft c
They were all surprised by Ivan's response. They all wondered if he was being sarcastic or if he was really being serious. But he didn't seem to be smiling at all, plus there wasn't even a hint of sarcasm in his tone. “Wait,” Janet spoke up. “You are being serious right now?” Her thin brow arched slightly as she asked. Ivan nodded his head. “Of course I'm being serious, there's nothing else we can do anyway. My late step mom used to tell me that there is nothing more to do when you feel stuck, for example in a situation like ours, than to tell the truth. It will surprisingly be the best solution for everything.”Janet let out a soft yet confused chuckle. “Wait, I don't mean to go against what my late mother in law said but… telling the truth? Ivan, this could ruin your entire career if we are not being careful and thoughtful!”“And if I may ask, how?” Ivan plainly asked. “I don't know but… you know very well that this could hurt your image.” “As a matter of fact, I don't know if i
Breakfast was served the next morning and as Ivan had mentioned, they had small talks about the best choice of orphanage to go to and the list had been summed up to the best three. “Okay,” Alfred started. “So we are down to smile orphanage, bright sun and victorious home. And the decision is down to you, young master Wayne. Which one would you like to go to today?” Ivan relaxed into his seat and let himself think for a minute before answering. “I got it!” All eyes fell on him as he exclaimed. “Today, well go to bright sun orphanage,”“Excellent choice young master Way–”“I'm not finished.” Ivan cut Alfred off. “Today, we'll go to bright sun orphanage, tomorrow, we'll go to smile and the day after, we'll go to victorious home.” Alfred was thrown into a pit of confusion. “You… you want to visit all three places?” His brow arched subconsciously as he questioned. “Why not? Jane wants to adopt three kids after all, nothing limits us to adopting from one place or is there a rule or some
Ivan managed to wear a smile on his face even though his heart was shattered to pieces. “Hello there, my name is Ivan.” He said with the brightest smile he could summon. “Do you want to tell me your name?”She silently stared at him, although it seemed as though she wasn't as scared as before. Yet she didn't utter a single word and neither did her gaze leave Ivan. “You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I don't force you to do anything you don't want to do. Although I would really like to know your name. I bet it must be as pretty as your eyes.” Ivan spoke softly. Even though he already knew what her name was, he was hoping to hear her say it to him. “London…” the scared little girl responded softly, almost as soft as a whisper. Ivan smiled brightly from his heart now, a smile that reached his eyes. “I knew it, I knew it would be something pretty. Do you remember my name, London?” She nodded her head, her knees folded in front of her to rest on her chest. “Do you want t
Heather stood there, stunned, just as every other woman standing in the room. She was sure she had never heard London laugh before. She hadn't even seen the girl smile ever since she was brought to the shelter. Janet hadn't expected less though. Living with Ivan for over five years, she knew the kind of soul he was and she trusted that whatever he put his mind to, he was sure to achieve it. She couldn't have been more proud of him. Ivan carried little London back to his wife and Heather. “London, say hello to your new mom.” Janet smiled and waved at her. “Hello, my name is Janet.” “Hi, I can call you mom, right? Or do you want me to call you Janet?” London sharply responded with a smile. Janet chuckled softly. “You're such a smart little girl. You can call me mom,” she reached forward and gently smoothened London's Goldie locks hair. “I'd like that.” London smiled and nodded her head. “Will you carry me in your arms?” Janet opened her arms wide for her. “Come here.”London unw
The car pulled up at the front space of the mansion and their driver hurried down to open the door for them. Three smiling faces stood close to a fountain, standing impatiently for Ivan and his wife to arrive. The driver opened the door but no one got out. Alfred wondered what was keeping them but he declined when Mrs Banks said to go to them instead. He decided they would just wait for them to join them. “We'll be a minute.” Ivan said to his driver and the handsome young man nodded his head and gently slammed the door back. “Is there… is there a problem?” Mrs Banks asked again but Alfred's decision to wait behind still stood. “They'll come out eventually, let's just wait and see what is going on first.” Alfred responded in a respectful manner and Mrs Banks nodded her head. Mr Banks didn't bother to protest or even utter a word. He knew that if he were to speak, he would have to break his perfect smile and he worried he would not be able to get a smile as perfect as that again.
They all went inside and sat at the dining table. The maids surrounded them and began serving slices of pies. LD climbed down from her seat that was next to her grandmother. “Daddy!” She wailed as she hurried to Ivan. Ivan immediately caught her in his arms and lifted her into his lap. “What's wrong? Is there something bothering you?” She nodded her head but said nothing. They all watched her in fear. Neither of them understood what was wrong with her to make her almost tear up and worry and anxiety swallowed them up as they waited for her to confess to her father. “Go ahead Darling, you can tell me anything.” Ivan said in a soft tone. Janet was already on her feet and she hurried to the other side of Ivan's chair where she could meet with LD's gaze. Placing her hand on her husband's thighs, she crouched down next to him. LD still remained silent in her father's lap with her arms wrapped around his neck.“Here, come on, whisper it in my ear.” Ivan leaned in closer to her with h