?Chapter 1233:


    “Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll take good care of Nina.” Jesse’s voice was light and boyish, yet the weight of his wordsnded with an odd maturity. “Whenever you feel likeing back, Uncle n and I wille pick you up.”


    “Not necessary,” Ellis cut in coolly, dismissing him without hesitation.


    Freya said nothing. n stayed quiet too.


    Jesse’s tone was gentle, but the tension was unmistakable. “I was talking to Mommy. Not to you.”


    “My wife, my responsibility. That’s none of your concern,” Ellis stated, his voice dry and blunt. “If you’ve got time to butt in, maybe try using it to work on your height and stamina.”


    Jesse’s small fists curled tight. Anyone who truly knew him understood those two things—his height and his stamina—were sore spots he never liked touched. And yet, his shameless old man never missed a chance to poke right at them.


    “Mommy,” Jesse whispered, lowering his head while clinging to Freya’s hand. “Do you think I’m useless too?”


    “Of course not,” Freya smiled gently as she ruffled his hair, crouching down so her voice met his softly. “You and Nina are the greatest joy in my life.”


    “Really?”


    “Absolutely.” She stroked his hair again, the motion tender.


    Jesse nced up at Ellis, then turned back to Freya. “What about Dad?”


    Freya paused for a beat.


    Ellis had just upset him. If she spoke in his favor now, Jesse might feel even more slighted. Kids were sensitive, and their little hearts would bruise more easily than adults realized.


    Had Ellis known what she was thinking, he might’ve scoffed and said, “Sensitive? Do you even know what that kid’s been up to behind our backs?”


    “Mommy,” Jesse called again, his voice sweet and full of longing.


    Freya answered with a soft hum.


    Honestly, she had considered spending some time alone with Ellis, but the sight of their two little ones made her heart waver.


    “Can you kiss me?” Jesse asked, clearly aiming to needle his father.


    Nina came skipping over too, her once-teary eyes now bright. “Me too!”


    Freya kissed them both on their cheeks and rubbed their heads with care. “Be good. If you miss me, just call.”


    “Okay!” The two little ones nodded, perfectly obedient.


    Freya had intended to linger with them a little longer.


    But Ellis didn’t wait—he took her hand and led her away without so much as a backward nce.


    On the way to the airport, Freya finally turned to look at him and asked, “Why are you always at odds with Jesse?”


    “You sure it’s me?” Ellis replied, his voice rising faintly at the end.


    Freya said nothing.<fnddd2> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? Find[F]ovel</fnddd2>


    After mulling it over, she admitted, “Most of the time, yeah. Even when Jesse talks back, it’s usually because you started it.”


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