"Three years ago, didn't I notarize a will?" Sean Kerr said. "After the will was notarized, I returned to the Kerr Family and made it clear to everyone that I was officially giving up my inheritance rights and severing financial ties with the family. From then on, I wouldn't spend a single penny of the Kerr Family's money, and I wouldn't acknowledge this child either, so he wouldn't have the right to inherit my assets. Molly Mao came to me, wanting to have a proper conversation. I agreed, so we went somewhere else, planning to lay everything out."
"I made it clear to her that I would never get married. Not to her, not to anyone else. Cici, do you know who I went to see?" Sean Kerr looked up at Cecilia Gu.
Cici shook her head in confusion.
"I went to K City. I went to see Max Mo," Sean Kerr said with a bitter smile. "In the world of love, only he truly understands how I feel, right?"
Cici opened her mouth but said nothing.
"When I was young, I didn't know any better and missed out on too much. By the time I wanted to cherish it, I'd already lost the chance," Sean Kerr smiled, his face full of bitterness. "I don't blame anyone but myself. If I'd had the determination I do now back then, maybe things wouldn't have ended up like this. Suddenly, I understood something Joe Qi once told me. Joe said if I wanted to achieve my goals, I should learn from Charles Yin. I didn't get it before and thought it was nonsense. But now I finally understand what he meant."
"Back when Charles Yin was with you, I saw exactly what he sacrificed. Charles practically gave you his life. It's because of his ruthless determination that others had no choice but to back down, and that's how he protected you. But at the time, I really didn't get it. I thought Rona wasn't as fragile as you, that she was so strong and capable she could handle anything. I forgot that no matter how strong or capable she was, she's still a woman—she needed to be cared for too."
"It was my fault—I was too arrogant! I thought she'd be as steadfast as me, but I didn't realize my constant hesitation kept hurting her resolve. Only after losing her did I realize just how wrong I was." Sean Kerr's eyes grew wet as he looked up at the ceiling and sighed. "Max Mo is just like me—we both missed out on too much. Compared to me, his story is even more tragic. At least I have memories of more than ten years with Rona, but Max Mo, when it comes to you... all he has is a lifetime of regret and unwillingness."
Cici lowered her head and said nothing.
"Max Mo asked me to pass on a message to you. He said he was wrong in his past life, so this life he's destined to accept punishment. If there's a next life, he won't let go again." Sean Kerr smiled and said, "He said that next time, he'll make sure to meet you before Charles Yin does—so you can be ready for him in your next life."
Cici let out a bitter smile.
"He'll never get married in this life," Sean Kerr continued. "He's the one who reminded me—life doesn't have to include marriage. Spending a lifetime with someone you don't love is miserable. For us, having a child is actually pretty simple. If it's just about an heir, it's not that complicated. Back then, Mrs. Yin forced you to marry Charles Yin. Did you really think it was just for the child? Of course not! It was because of the Grant Family."
"Even though you had nothing to do with the Grant Family at that time, don't forget—given the relationship between Madam Yun and Mrs. Yin, how could she not remember what Nora Yun looked like? Seeing you, she must've figured out something." Sean Kerr said, "Mrs. Yin has spent her whole life scheming, her mind always working in circles. You have to admit, she has great insight—she picked the perfect woman to be the mistress of the Yin Family."
"Max Mo said he lost out because his grandmother passed away early. Otherwise, who knows who would've won?" Sean Kerr chuckled. "I don't completely agree, but you and Charles Yin really do have a lot of fate and coincidences tying you together."
"There's something he said that I agree with. If I gave in to pressure and married Molly Mao now, that would be the real tragedy. Back when you and Charles Yin got together, he didn't even like Lydia Lin that much, and you were hurt by Zach Zhao, so you two got together without any emotional obstacles. But I'm different—I can't forget Rona. Any woman who married me would be miserable. So I explained all this to Molly Mao."
"After hearing my explanation, Molly Mao gave up on marrying me. After all, I'd given up my inheritance and left the Kerr Family—there was no point for her to keep pushing. So she told me she decided to terminate the pregnancy and break off the engagement." Sean Kerr said with a bitter smile, "A few days later, she told me it was done, and we quietly dissolved the engagement without anyone else knowing. I never expected she actually lied to me back then!"
Cici said, "I didn't expect things between you two to be so complicated. She must've lied because she was afraid you wouldn't let it go. But I can understand why she kept the child. What I don't get is why she put the kid in full-time care and only shows up once a month. Doesn't the Mao Family care about this child at all?"
Sean Kerr asked, "By the way, what's the child's name?"
"Mason Mao," Cici replied. "Now that you've met him, what do you plan to do?"
"Since the child was born, I can't pretend he doesn't exist. Forget it—if Molly Mao won't take care of him, I will." Sean Kerr said, "I'll contact the Mao Family and get custody of the child."
Cici nodded. "That's probably for the best. The kid always has this cold look in his eyes—he really seems pitiful. Maybe being with you will be good for him."
"Okay. By the way, how's Rona Muir doing lately?" Sean Kerr couldn't help but ask. "Is she doing well?"
"She's doing great," Cici replied with a laugh. "The two of us are so busy, we're like spinning tops. Her son, honestly, barely remembers where his home is—he eats, drinks, plays, and sleeps with my little girl every day, and his own mom can't even get him to come home anymore."
Sean Kerr couldn't help but laugh. "I've heard that your little princess is famous for being a mischievous troublemaker!"
"Don't even mention it—I feel like I've got another son on my hands," Cici said, rubbing her forehead. "Alright, you just got back, so I won't keep you talking too long. Let's find time to get together soon. Charles Yin hasn't seen you in ages, either."
"Sounds good. I'll take the kid home now," Sean Kerr said as he stood up. "Looks like I really need to start building a relationship with this child."
Cici asked someone to bring the child over. She squatted down and said to Mason Mao, "Xiao Jin, do you know who he is?"
Mason Mao shook his head in confusion. "He's your dad. Do you want to go home with him tonight?"
"Principal, why do I have to go with him?" Mason Mao bit his lip and said, "But Mommy said I don't have a dad."
"Silly child, everyone who comes into this world has a mom and a dad. Your father... he's been working overseas all this time and just got back today, so you haven't met him before." Cici patiently explained, "Your mom is very busy and rarely has time to visit you. Now that your dad's back, why not go home with him? Sure, the school takes care of you, but being with family is different."
Mason Mao looked timidly at Sean Kerr. "Are you really my dad?"
Sean Kerr looked at him with a complicated expression and nodded gently.
Mason Mao's eyes immediately turned red. "Then why did you never show up? Why did you never come? Why did you leave me and Mommy?"
"I... I'm sorry. I came too late." Sean Kerr squatted down and looked at Mason Mao. "Xiao Jin, I'm sorry—Daddy came too late."
"No! You're lying! You're not my dad at all!" Mason Mao shouted. "Mommy said I don't have a dad!"
Sean Kerr sighed. "If you don't believe me, we can get tested to see if you're really my child. If I'm not..."
Cici reached out and gently patted Mason Mao's head. "Xiao Jin, grown-ups' world is complicated, and it's hard to explain everything right now. But you do have a dad."
Just then, Yina Yin bounced in with her crew of handsome boys, shouting as she ran, "Mommy, Mommy, why did you bring Mason Mao here? Huh? Mister, are you Mason Mao's dad? You two look so much alike!"
"Yina Yin!" Cici snapped.
Yina Yin immediately shrank her neck. "Ah, did I say something wrong again? Okay, we're leaving. I haven't finished with my slingshot today!"
"Come back! Call him Uncle Sean." Cici was already used to scolding her daughter by instinct.
"Hello, Uncle Sean!" The five kids lined up and greeted him together.
"Hello, everyone." Sean Kerr smiled.
After three years apart, these little ones had grown so much.
Yina Yin glanced at Mason Mao and couldn't help but ask, "Mommy, is Mason Mao Uncle Sean's child?"
Cici sighed softly and nodded.
Children's world is so much simpler and clearer.
Yina Yin said to Mason Mao, "Even though today is our first day at kindergarten, we still really like being friends with you. Sorry about what happened today—I didn't mean to drag you into it."
Yina Yin may be mischievous, but at least she knows basic manners.
"Uncle Sean, I'm sorry—I caused trouble today and got all the kids at kindergarten involved. I won't do it again." Yina Yin said to Sean Kerr, "I've already apologized to the other adults. I hope you can forgive me."
"Sorry!" The five little ones apologized to Sean Kerr together.
Sean Kerr smiled. "It's good to admit your mistakes and try to change."
"Yay! Apologies are done—let's go!" Yina Yin perked up at Sean Kerr's words, and instantly led her friends out in a whirlwind.