With a softened gaze, Jessica said, "When you used to be around and doted on him, he loved it. He thought you were the best father in the world."


    Suddenly, Steven felt guilty-he was a bad husband, but he was also a bad father.


    He muttered, "But I didn''t treat him well."


    After she heard that, Jessica thought it was a good time for Steven to spend time with Cody. She said, "He doesn''t think so. Why don''t you ask him yourself?"


    Steven thought that was a good idea—after all, a child would know another child better.


    At that, he nodded and said, "That would be a great help."


    "Alright."


    Jessica got up and carefully walked to Cody''s bedroom. As Steven sat in ce, he felt restless.


    She knocked on the door and said, "Cody, Daddy''s here!"


    When Cody heard her, he excitedly rushed out of his bedroom. But when he saw Steven, Cody froze. He turned to look at Jessica-Cody had been expecting his biological father. Jessica gently nudged Cody in the back, and he immediately understood what she meant.


    Cody carefully approached Steven and said, "Daddy, you haven''t visited in so long. When I saw you, I thought I was dreaming. Are you really here to visit me?"


    Steven was at a loss for words when he saw how pitiful Cody seemed. He couldn''t bear to tell Cody that he was here for Zachary''s sake.


    After a long silence, Steven asked, "Yeah, did you miss me?"


    Cody nodded and eximed, "Yes! Every day, I''d wish for you to visit."


    Initially, Steven didn''t want to promise Cody anything, but he ultimately couldn''t bring himself to be so cruel.


    "Why don''t I stay here tonight and then bring you out tomorrow?" Steven suggested.


    Cody turned to look at Jessica, who immediately said, "Sure!"


    Upon hearing that, Cody said, "Okay."


    Steven added, "It''s gettingte. You should go to bed."


    But Cody thought Steven was acting odd, and he wondered if Steven kad asked to see him just to send him to bed again. But since Steven had already said so, Cody obeyed and returned to his room.


    se


    After Cody closed the door, Jessica sat beside Steven and asked, "Why didn''t you ask Cody?"


    "I couldn''t bring myself to," Steven said.


    For some odd reason, ever since Steven realized he hadn''t treated Zachary right, he had gotten increasingly soft-hearted.


    He imagined that if he had treated


    Zachary better their rtionshi


    wouldn''t be so cold now. That would benèfit his other children, too.


    When Jessica heard that, she leaned into Steven''s arms and said, "I know you have a soft heart, but you


    eventually have to bring Zacharmet


    home You can''t live with Cody and me forever. Instead of treating him so kindly, it might be better for


    For you


    to be cruel."


    Teary-eyed, Jessica continued, "That way, he wouldn''t be too upset when you have to part ways with him."


    Steven gently embraced Jessica and patted her back. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent.