Chapter 72

Joseph's gaze was uncharacteristically distant for a moment, but who could outdo Melissa's act of feigning pity and preaching? Coming back to his senses, Joseph struck a fatal blow straight to Melissa's heart. "No wonder!" "Mama!" The sound of running footsteps from two little ones in the distance. They opened their arms excitedly as they ran towards Melissa. Joseph released Melissa's wrist, his face also lit up with a smile as he watched the two children running towards him. Upon seeing her little treasures, Melissa immediately knelt down, spreading her arms to welcome them—Alvin and Alvina—with the biggest, warmest hug. "Alvin, Alvina, were you two good at home this afternoon?" Melissa quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, asking in a voice as sweetly cheerful as a child. "We were very good. We even helped Grandma style her hair and apply the face mask." Alvin spoke first, his air of proud affectation was both endearing and comic, and it, in turn, eased Melissa's mood