"Daddy, you're bad!" Venus complained as she pouted. "You're a man. You should be protecting Mommy. How could you let Mommy protect you instead?"
"Venus's right, " Josh agreed.
"I want to protect her too, but your mommy was adamant about playing the hero. Before I could do anything, she had rushed headlong into the situation."
At that, Zayn cast a disapproving look at Carla.
"You—" Carla was furious. She did not know why he was telling the children that.
"Mommy, don't play the hero next time. You have to protect yourself first and foremost, " Randy said to her. "It pained us to see you hurt."
"Yes, yes." Venus then grabbed Carla's hand and gently blew on it. "Mommy, the bandages are wrapped around your hand tightly, so I'm sure it must hurt a lot."
"It's fine. It doesn't hurt, " Carla answered lightheartedly. Seeing her children had lifted her spirits.
"Mommy, who's the one who hurt you?" I'll beat them up for you, " Josh exclaimed as he swung his little fists. "I'm going to teach the naughty person a lesson."
"It's okay. We've dealt with the person." Carla pinched his cheek. "Okay, it's time to go back to your room. It's late now."
"Yes, go back to your rooms. I'll read you the bedtime stories, " Zayn chimed in.
"Daddy, are you not going to leave tonight?" Josh asked, excited, as he held Zayn's hand. "Are you going to be staying here tonight?"
Even Randy and Venus were looking at him.
"I'll leave after reading the stories to you." Zayn ruffled their hair. "Hurry upstairs now."
"All right, " the children replied, crestfallen.
"Aunt Carla! Aunt Carla!"
Just then, Daemon's children rushed out of their room with bottles in their hands and diapers around their waists.
When they spotted Zayn, they skidded to a stop before watching him with wary eyes.
"Why is this Angry Uncle here?"
Alpha then quickly hid her bottle behind her as if Zayn was there to snatch that from her.
"Maybe he's here to see Randy, Josh, and Venus, " Beta quietly replied. "He's their daddy."
"Hmph!" Gamma then stepped forward and pointed her bottle at Zayn. "Meanie, why are you here?"
"Alpha, Beta, Gamma, don't be rude to my daddy."
Venus stepped out from behind Zayn's legs before solemnly replying, "Daddy's here to tell us bedtime stories."
"What?" The other three children widened their eyes. "This fierce meanie is going to tell us bedtime stories? Really?"
"Duh!" Josh grinned smugly. "My daddy tells great stories."
Alpha sniffled before answering dumbly, "Oh. So is he going to tell us stories too?"
"Can we listen to your stories?" Beta tilted her head back to look at the tall man.
"I-I want to hear stories too." Gamma's face was red. and her hands were clenched into fists as she nervously looked at Zayn.
"All right, come on." Zayn then motioned to them to go up the stairs.
"Yay!"
The three smaller children hurried behind Venus their bottles. Like a line of kindergarten children, they entered the room.
In the meantime, Carla smiled when she saw the scene.
Zayn was rather skilled at taking care of the children; he was even getting along well with the three more difficult children.
"Ms. Lierger, let me help you back to your room." Once they were back in the room, Freda said, "You haven't had a good dinner, so I'll get the kitchen staff to make something for you."
"No, it's fine. I'm not hungry." Carla tiredly leaned back on the sofa. "Pour me a glass of water instead. Then you can leave. It's been a tiring day, so you should rest earlier."
"What about yo—"
"I'm fine by myself." Carla wanted some time alone.
"All right." Freda then poured her a glass of water. After putting it beside her, she left.
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