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“Right.”
“Do you need anything? Some tea? Hot milk.”
I said no.
“You can go home.”
“Are you sure?” It was her turn to check her watch.
“I'm back, and I'll keep an eye on my daughters.”
“All right.” She got up and went to get her things.
I walked to the girls' room and before I entered, I heard the nanny saying goodbye and closing the front door.
I didn't turn on the light for fear of waking them; I just watched them in their beds. They were sleeping calmly and soundly. I liked seeing them like that, without any worries. It was the reason I put all my effort into them. I had to stay strong for them.
If I had lost Daphne in other conditions, without our daughters there, it was quite possible that I wouldn't have been able to stand on my own two feet. My mother used to repeat an old saying that she had heard from others before her: God wrote crooked lines right. It sounded sarcastic and even cruel, but it was the truth.
Anne stirred. I thought she was going to wake up, and I moved closer, but she soon became calm again. It could only have been a dream.
I closed the door and went to my room. I took off my blazer and put it on the armchair near the entrance.
I could have had other ambitions for that evening, but it left me with a bitter taste.
I soon realized how stupid it had been to offer money to their teacher; it would only make the situation between the two of us even more awkward. Fortunately, the following week, Mylon would pick the girls up from school again, and we wouldn't have to meet again. I just hoped that the woman would keep a low profile and not mention it to anyone.
Chapter sixteen
“Where are my most beautiful nieces in the world?”
“Auntie, Deby!” The girls got up from the carpet in the living room where they were playing and came running when I opened the living room door for my sister.
“Be careful not to hurt yourselves.” I tried to stop them, but it was too late because they were soon clinging to Deborah's thighs.
“Look who came with me.” She moved her head back and made me and the girls notice the rest of the family coming down the corridor.
“Uncle Ty!”
“Grandpa, Grandma!”
The twins walked up to them without even waiting for them to enter.
“Why didn't you tell me that the family lunch was going to be at my house?” I frowned as I faced my sister.
“To run the risk of you making up an excuse?”
“I haven't prepared anything.”
“Relax.” He patted me on the shoulder. “I ordered it from a restaurant, and should be delivered in a few minutes. All you have to do is pay the delivery man.”
“Why me?”
“He's the host, that's all.”
I shook my head but ended up laughing. As much as I liked my solitude, having my family around was great for my daughters.
“Come on in.” I opened the door wider and gestured for them to go through.