Chapter 1800:


    Christinaughed softly and leaned down to scoop her up. “Alban’s already here. I’ll carry you outside.”


    “Thank you,” Adide said, her wide eyes curving into happy arcs as she nted a kiss on Christina’s cheek.


    “Oh, you,” Christina said yfully, gently squeezing Adide’s round cheeks. “You’re such a sweetheart.”


    Gillian, concerned that Christina might overexert herself, quickly spoke up. “Miss Jones, let me take her.”


    “It’s alright. I’ll drive you to the gate. Do you have everything?”


    “Yes, I double-checked. We’re all set,” Gillian replied after onest nce over their things.


    She couldn’t stop smiling as Christina kept Adideughing. How lovely it would be if things could stay this way forever.


    ??o????l???? ??????r?????? о?? ??a????o??e????.??????


    At the front gate, Alban’s car was already parked outside, and he checked his phone repeatedly, waiting for a message from Gillian. His eyes drifted past the borate iron gates, settling on the distant mansion beyond. Even though he had arrived ahead of time, he stayed outside, careful not to intrude.


    When he thought it appropriate, he sent Gillian a message asking if they were ready. She replied that they wereing, yet they were nowhere in sight.


    Just as Alban lifted his phone again, a car rolled toward him at an unhurried pace. That had to be them. He quickly slipped his phone away and stepped out, craning his neck to see more clearly. If it weren’t for the luxury car parked nearby and his ownposed bearing, his restless nces might have made him look suspicious.


    After what felt like far too long, Gillian and Adide finally came into view. A grin spread across his face, and he moved toward them at once.


    “Sorry if we kept you waiting,” Christina said, looking up at him.


    “Not at all. I just arrived,” Alban answered without thinking, his eyes flicking briefly to Gillian — he didn’t want her to feel guilty about the wait.


    “Adide, let Alban hold you,” Christina said, passing the girl over.


    Gillian had instinctively reached forward, but when she saw Adide curl happily into Alban’s arms with her hands looped around his neck, she pulled back. Seeing Adide might not be easy for Alban going forward, so Gillian decided to give him this moment.


    “Bye, Adide,” Christina said, waving goodbye.


    Adide waved enthusiastically in return, her voice bright and sweet. “Bye, Christina!”


    “Miss Jones, we’ll be heading off now,” Gillian said quietly.


    “Go on. Take care and enjoy yourselves,” Christina said gently.


    She stood there, watching as they got into the car and drove away. She truly hoped Alban would treasure Gillian and Adide, giving them the love and protection they deserved. With a soft smile, she turned around. Seeing other people’s happiness brought her a calm, unspoken joy.


    Alban moved through the day exactly as he had mapped it out in advance, guiding Gillian and Adide from one ce to the next, determined to pack every moment with amusement and easyughter. He set his sights on winning Adide’s heart first, believing that if the child grew close to him, Gillian would naturally follow.


    During those rare stretches when the three of them were truly carefree, Gillian would find her thoughts drifting back to her choice to walk away from Alban, and a quiet heaviness would settle over her chest. Yet her resolve was firm, and Adide had already agreed — there would be no turning back.


    If she failed to make it through the operation, Adide would remain with the Jones family. Even serving as Christina’s attendant would secure her a life offort, free from hardship or fear. What Christina had done for them went far beyond anything that could ever be repaid — a debt that would remain unfinished no matter how long they lived.


    .


    .


    .