Maverick thought for a moment before replying, "That''s Uncle River''s wife. As long as Uncle River likes her, I''ll like her too."


    River tapped his nephew''s nose. "Baby, you''re such a sweet kid. Uncle River loves you so much."


    Maverick wriggled to get down. "Uncle River, I''ll walk by myself. I''m already six." "Perfect timing. Uncle River''s arms are getting tired," River teased as he set the boy down. Then he turned to Bethany. "Belle, want Uncle River to carry you?" Bethany turned away and hugged her mother''s neck tightly, clearly rejecting him without saying a word. She hadn''t seen her mom in a while and waspletely attached to her now.


    Back inside, Serenity kissed her daughter''s cheek and reassured her. "Belle, Mommy didn''t abandon you. I just went out with Uncle River to take care of something. See? I''m back now. You and your brother are both my little


    sweethearts. How could I not love you?"


    After a little coaxing, Bethany finally slid down from her mother''s arms and followed her brother to y.


    Serenity looked at River and said, "Belle doesn''t usually cling to me like this at home. I think it''s just because we''re in a new ce. When she can''t see me for a bit, she gets a little anxious. Now go upstairs and shower, wash that lipstick off your face. Look at yourself- Romina''s the one who looks tricked here."


    Riverughed on his way upstairs. "How did I trick her? I didn''t ask her to get drunk. She drank too much, flirted with me, and took advantage. It''s only fair that I ask her to take responsibility."


    If he hadn''t kept his coolst night, things might have really escted. If she''d


    gone any further, they could''ve ended up spending the night together-then today would''ve been a whole different story.


    After River went upstairs and the kids got back to ying, Serenity had a little time. She sent a message to Zachary, asking if he was free for a call.


    Instead of replying, Zachary called her directly.


    "Honey, looks like you''re really enjoying yourself in Eaglioncile," he said, a little sourly. “From the pictures and videos you posted in the group chat, you and the kids are having a st. Feels like you forgot you''ve got a husband waiting at home."


    He hadn''t spoken to her on the phone since the day she arrived in Eaglioncile. Serenity had been so busy taking the kids out every day that she was too tired to talk at night. At most, she''d let their son video call Zachary a couple of times when he said he missed his dad.


    She''d told the kids that Daddy was working hard and that they shouldn''t bother him while they were away-let him focus so he''d have time to take them on vacationter.


    Serenity chuckled, "Yeah, I forgot I even had a husband. Who am I talking to now then? It''s only been a couple of days and you''re already acting jealous?" Zachary groaned dramatically, "A day apart feels like three years. You do the math -how many years has it been since Ist saw you?"


    Serenityughed, "You could''ve called, you know."


    "I just woke up. I haven''t even eaten yet. I''m starving," heined. "You''re not home to take care of me. I had a business dinnerst night that ran superte. Just got back."