“Now that you don’t object, I'll consider that a promise. So, consider this my gift to you."

Not a word was spoken, yet the girl did not refuse the balloon either.

And so, a sense of impending siblinghood filled Melon's heart, contentment at the thought of Ariana's happiness.

A woman's voice came as he reached out to take her hand in his.

“Adele.”

Adele? Was that her name?

Melon turned his head, studying the little girl and etching her name into his memory. Then, his attention shifted back to the woman drawing near.

The woman's expression was marked by a slight frown. Her eyes scrutinized Melon with an air of disdain.

She appeared to be Adele's mother. With that in mind, a wave of disillusionment crested within Melon. His aspiration to welcome a younger sibling had been thwarted.

Sonia's anxious call momentarily reached Melon's ears, jolting him to reality. Swiftly, he retraced his steps.

Yet unbeknownst to him, Adele, who had been ignoring him, now Lifted her head, her eyes unwavering as she watched him Leave.

Sadie obstructed Adele's view, her brow furrowing as she beheld Melon's retreating figure. With a contemptuous smile, she remarked, “That boy was so unkempt, clearly a wild child with unruly behavior. In the future, steer clear of such kids."

Adele remained impervious to these words, but Sadie had grown accustomed to her lack of reaction.

Sheltered under an umbrella, her face meticulously made up, Sadie looked down at Adele crouched on the ground, a genial smile on her lips.

“Did you manage to count to a thousand?"

Adele shook her head, maintaining her Lowered gaze and said nothing.

Inwardly, Sadie sneered, labeling Adele as a simpleton. But her face showed a gentle smile as she said, “What shall we do then? Your reward will slip through your fingers!"

Adele kept silent, still crouched on the ground, her fingers toying with the grass beneath her feet.

Undeterred by Adele's lack of response, Sadie continued, "It matters not; even if you've not counted to a thousand, Mommy still adores you.

The blueberry pudding shall be yours, regardless. But when Daddy inquires if you relished your time at the amusement park, you must say you did, alright?"