Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Shawn said, "I know you've always had your own way of thinking, and if you think it's right, then it's right. But you really need to get along with Mr. James, don't be stubborn, don't—" "Here we go again!" Emily glared at him. "I'm not a child, why would I throw a tantrum for no reason?"

Shawn lowered his head, chuckling to himself, "In my eyes, you're still a kid."

Suddenly, Emily remembered her childhood, a pang of bitterness in her heart as she averted her gaze.

Shawn sighed, "You've had it tough, having me as a father, and then there's your mother... She wasn't always like this, I don't know what happened to make her change."

"Maybe it's because I didn't fulfill my role as the head of the family well, she was under too much pressure, and that's why she became more and more selfish."

Emily calmly said, "When facing choices, everyone has their own priorities. Mom just chose my brother, that's all."

Shawn continued, "Your brother called me yesterday. I didn't want to cause you any trouble, so I didn't tell him about our current situation. I just said we were still living in your apartment. He wants to visit me, but I refused."

Emily nodded slightly, asking, "Do you miss him? We could let him visit you."

"I know your brother won't harm you, but he's too soft-hearted. With a little coaxing from your mom, he might spill the beans. If they find out you're with Mr. James, you'll never hear the end of it," Shawn said. "So, I won't see anyone but you guys!"

Emily simply nodded, not saying much.

After chatting for a while longer, Shawn urged Emily to leave, "It's New Year's Day, the James family must have a lot of guests. Let Mr. James go back, don't keep him here with me. I'm doing quite alright, don't worry about me."

Just then, Charlie came back with Kya, who was holding some roses, and gave them to Shawn, "These are from Auntie for daddy, and these are for grandpa!"

Charlie was startled but quickly explained to Emily, "The nurse's boyfriend brought her flowers, and she saw me with Kya, so she gave a few to us, not to me, but to Kya."

Emily's eyes twinkled, and she smiled, lifting Kya, "Say goodbye to grandpa!"

"Bye-bye, grandpa!" Kya waved her little hand, her voice soft and sweet.

Shawn smiled warmly, "Bye-bye, Kya!"

Charlie also bid Shawn farewell.

Emily took a few steps, then turned back to see Shawn looking at them with eager eyes. She spoke softly, "Let's leave the past behind and live well moving forward. I'll bring Kya to see you often."

"Ah, sure!" Shawn's voice choked up as he waved, "Take good care of yourself and Kya!"

Charlie took Kya from Emily's arms, and they left together.

On the way back, Charlie turned to Emily and asked, "You guys didn't argue, did you?"

Emily was speechless. Her dad was worried she would argue with Charlie out of stubbornness, and Charlie was worried she had argued with her dad!

"Do you guys really see me as someone who's unreasonable?"

"Not at all!" Kya, sitting in her car seat with a little milk bottle, said, "Mommy is the best mommy!"

"Such a sweetheart!" Emily leaned over and kissed her forehead.

Charlie looked at Kya with a smile, "It's okay, I love her even when she's being unreasonable!"

Kya immediately responded, "I love her too!"

Emily's face turned red, and she ignored their playful banter, turning to look out the car window instead.

The scenery outside was pleasant, and her mood lifted. The first day of the New Year, everything felt full of hope!

At the Jarvis household in C City

By noon, the house had quieted

down a bit. Qld Mr. Jarvis called Gabriel into his study, "Mr. Flair has arrived. Due to some special circumstances, he didn't come to our house but is staying at The Green."

Gabriel was somewhat surprised, "He came to C City on New Year's Day?"

"Yes, he found out you were home

and rushed over!" Old Mr. Jarvis said with a smile. "He came especially to see you. You should go to The Green to meet him."

Ansel Flair was a comrade of his uncle, and their families were close, though Gabriel wondered, "Did Mr. Flair bring his daughter with him?"

"Yes!"