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Chapter 25 Daddy The Tiger 

With ingredients for mushroom soup scattered around, Keira turned to Lucien, her eyes warm. “What’s on your mind. sweetheart?” 

Lucien hesitated, glancing at Landon and Luna diligently scrubbing carrots. Feeling small on the stool, he fidgeted, finally hopping off and back on, seeking a level playing field. 

Keira knelt, her gentle gaze holding his. Lucien took a shaky breath. “Do you really like us? Like, are you serious about being good to us?” 

Tears welled in his eyes. “We know you don’t like Dad, and we think… maybe you were just using us to get back at him.” 

His voice trembled, choked with unspoken fear. “You’re grown–up, you do whatever you want,” 

He continued sniffling. “But please… don’t use Landon and Luna like.. chess pieces in your game with Daddy” 

He rubbed away tears, his face a mix of longing and frustration. 

He craved the simple normalcy of a loving family, a mother’s love he could trust without reservation 

But he was the big brother, the protector. He understood his siblings yearning for a mother’s love and the potential devastation if their fragile trust was shattered. 

“Landon and Luna are just kids. They believe in you with all their hearts. If you hurt them. they wouldn’t have the strength to stand up for themselves.” 

“Since human traffickers stole Luna, she’s been haunted by nightmares. Daddy retrieved her, but the terrors remain, tearing her sleep and filling the night with cries.” 

“And Landon? Though I played tough then, I wish you could hold him again because your hug lit up his days.” 

Lucien muttered, tears tracing silent tracks on his cheeks. 

Lucien, voicing the sentiments of his brother and sister, actually underwent the same emotional rollercoaster as his younger siblings. 

This wasn’t a normal family. Their mother always ran away, leaving them like shadows chasing after her. Meanwhile, their father lost and desperate, always clung to her, trying to keep her from disappearing again 

To everyone else, they might have looked like a whole family, but inside, they knew the truth. They were alone, missing the love and care that both parents should have given them. 

Lucien did his utmost as the older brother to create a positive environment for his younger siblings, but his abilities were restricted. 

Keira gently wiped away Lucien’s tears with her warm fingertips and hugged him. “Darling, Mommy loves you. You three are never pawns in any disagreement with your father.” 

Lucien, always wearing a mask of maturity and projecting a cold demeanor, was, in reality, just another child like Landon and Luna. Yet, as the older brother, he had no choice but to carry an overwhelming burden. 

Keira felt a profound heartache. In those years when she only cared about herself, these children endured too much suffering. 

“Mommy has made many mistakes before, but now Mommy just wants to make amends.” 

Lucien looked at Keira with red eyes, and she earnestly met his gaze. “I could totally understand that you might not trust me now, but give me some time. I will prove that my love and care for you are genuine, okay?” 

“Lucien, my precious son. I long to be the mother you deserve. Will you stand by me as I learn?” 

The sound of water came from behind, and Keira quickly turned around to adjust the flame and put in the necessary ingredients. 

When she finished tidying up and turned back, Lucien had already composed himself. 

  

Looking at Keira, his initially cold eyes softened, and he reached out his tiny hand. “Okay, let’s pinky promise!“ 

A pinky promise later, Lucien’s face bloomed with relief. 

Suddenly, Landon and Luna burst in, voices chirping, “Mommy, we finished washing! We scrubbed those carrots just like you said!” 

Keira, warmth lighting her eyes, showered them with praise before gently nudging Lucien towards a board game with his siblings. 

Obedient as ever, Lucien led the little ones toward a checkerboard battle. 

Keira, wielding her spatula like a maestro, plunged into the symphony of cooking. 

Victor received a message from Mr. Cruz, discovering Keira was cooking at home. Hurriedly wrapping up his work, he rushed home. At that moment, Carlisle approached, holding documents, catching only a glimpse of Victor’s retreating figure. 

Carlisle:God knows it must be that vixen causing trouble again!” 

When Victor returned, dinner was already on the table. He saw the three children sitting in a row, wearing bibs to prevent food from falling on them, eagerly looking at Keira. 

“Hey, you’re back! Seeing Victor, Keira’s face lit up with a smile. 

His wife’s obvious delight pleased Victor. Unable to resist, he pulled her into his arms and kissed the corner of her mouth. “I heard from Mr. Cruz that you were cooking. 

“Yeah!” Keira pouted, thinking Mr. Cruz really reported every detail to Victor. 

Sensing that this might upset Keira. “You’re angry,” Victor said somewhat remorsefully. Til remind him not to make such pointless reports in the future.” 

In fact, Victor had asked Mr. Cruz to keep an eye on Keira before because he was afraid she might run away again. However, Mr. Cruz was too dedicated, reporting every little thing to Victor whenever Keira made a move. 

“Never mind, it’s my fault for having a bad reputation, Keira shrugged. “Mr. Cruz is still watching over me now, but I believe he’ll be moved by my sincerity and trust me over time. Hmph!” 

As Keira spoke, she led Victor to the table. When the three little ones saw their dad appear, they instinctively shrunk their 

necks. 

The initially chattering children fell silent in an instant. Even the usually lively Landon restrained the smile on his face. 

Keira was puzzled by the children’s reaction. 

“What’s going on? Clearly, I have a bad reputation, but why did it seem like the children weren’t too fond of Victor either?” 

“Mummy. Daddy is so fierce to us,” Landon pouted and complained, tugging at his mother’s clothes. 

Luna, adding fuel to the fire, chimed in, “Yeah, he’s like a scary tiger.” 

Keira’s doubts gnawed at her. She had no memory of Victor scolding the kids, and judging by his gentle nature, she couldn’t picture him angry. 

The little detective, Lucien, piped up, “No, he just gives us this cold stare like someone owes him a million bucks. His words were simple, but they cut deep. 

Dinner continued, punctuated by the insistent buzzing of Keira’s phone. She ignored it at first, but the unknown caller was 

relentless 

Victor, sitting nearby, shot her a questioning glance. 

“Guess ignoring it’s not an option anymore,” Keira grumbled internally, anticipating the drama. 

Keira sighed and answered the call. An unfamiliar male voice crackled through the speaker, “Ms. Keira Sunter? It’s about Alice McVay, She’s caught in a bind Any chance you could lend a hand?