???
When the idea of sending Aiden to school struck my mind, I'd expected that it would be us sitting in the back seat of a car occupied by a driver.
It's not like I have my own car here. And even if I did, it's not like Luke would allow me to drive Aiden anywhere. Based on what the house security guards informed me earlier, Luke has assigned a dedicated driver for Aiden.
Said driver is the only person he trusts to drop Aiden at school, using only the same car.
Aiden sits beside me as the car passes various buildings in New York. He looks extremely happy, the smile on his face never fading.
Holding the straps of his backpack, he giggles. That sight warms my heart even more—I never thought that such a small kindness would change his mood significantly.
"I'm so happy that you want to send me off to school," he says for the fifth time already since we got into the car.
I laugh a little, shaking my head in disbelief. Ruffling his hair, I pull him into a hug, and he hugs me back.
When we pull away, my heart almost stops as I find his eyes glistening with happy tears.
Am I that special to him?
This little boy makes me tear up as well. He's so pure. He makes me forget all the problems that the world has shoved to me.
We finally reach his school, and I look out the car window to find what seems to be the most prestigious elementary school in New York.
It must be filled with kids of the richest.
"Enjoy your day, Aiden." I smile and hug him one last time. He nods enthusiastically.
Aiden steps out of the car, and I open the window. We wave at each other, a big grin on his face, before he turns on his heels, walking toward the gate of his school.
I continue to watch him go, but halfway to the gate, Aiden turns around and flashes me a smile again. A smile that's so big from earto ear it could brighten up the whole world.
He waves his hand again. "Bye, Cassie!"
And I laugh again, waving back at him, not taking my eyes off him until he fully disappears from my sight.
A sigh escapes from my lips. Why does his presence make me so happy? So contented? What have I done to deserve such a precious little light like him?
And at this very moment, I'm more than sure that I've never felt sograteful in my life.
18
________
CASSIE
After sending Aiden to school, I step back into the house, still wondering about him.
How will he play with his friends today? What subjects is he taking later? Will he enjoy his day?
A soft smile touches my lips. He has really stolen my heart.
I'm walking along the hallway when a room catches my attention. It's usually closed, but now, the door is opened. Curious, I step closer to it. It doesn't look like a bedroom—no one else in the family lives here anyway—so I slide the door open even further.
A gasp escapes from my mouth as I stare at a room filled with paintings. Judging by the look of them, the paintings were not done by a seven-year-old, aka Aiden. It seems like they were made by a true professional artist.
The paintings, most of which are of scenery and people, are breathtaking. I see mountains, romantic cities, people of different ethnicities and cultures.
While my eyes still travel around the room, a voice snaps me out of my daze.
