Chapter 99: The Connection 2

The children quickly forgot the awkward tension lingering among the adults.

The moment the brightly wrapped gift packs were carried onto the platform, excited squeals filled the hall. Tiny feet pounded across the floor as dozens of eager faces turned toward the colorful stacks, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Laughter replaced silence.

Excitement washed away the heaviness that only moments earlier had settled over the room.

Everyone moved to help.

Everyone...

Except Kristoff.

Standing a short distance away, he watched Isobel crouch in front of a little girl, patiently tying the ribbon that had come loose from the child’s gift bag. Alexander remained nestled comfortably in her arms, perfectly content despite the commotion around him.

The baby boy had not asked to be returned.

Instead, he rested his head against Isobel’s shoulder as though it were the most natural place in the world.

Something twisted painfully inside Kristoff’s chest.

He couldn’t understand it.

Alexander barely knew her.

Yet his son had stopped crying the instant Isobel held him.

Even now, the baby clung to her as though he had found a place he had been searching for.

Kristoff clenched his jaw. He told himself it meant nothing. Children were unpredictable. They smiled at strangers. They cried for toys. They reached for anyone who happened to catch their attention.

That was all this was.

It had to be.

Yet no matter how many times he repeated those words in his mind, they failed to silence the quiet voice asking the one question he refused to answer.

Does Alexander small as he was could already recognize his mother?

...

"Isobel," Richard said gently, his gaze shifting to the sleeping baby nestled securely in her arms. "Why don’t you hand the little one back to his mother? It’ll make it easier for you to pass out the gifts."

He had been watching her for several minutes. Every time Alexander suddenly kicked his tiny legs or flailed his arms, Isobel had to awkwardly juggle the gift bags while making sure the baby remained safe. It looked exhausting.

Isobel’s fingers instinctively tightened around Alexander.

Hand him back to his mother.

Richard’s innocent suggestion struck her heart like a blade. For a brief second, she forgot how to breathe. She was after all Alexander’s biological mother.

Not far away, Charlotte, who had been gracefully handing presents to the children with a flawless smile, also paused when she overheard Richard’s words.

Who would willingly keep carrying that fussy little boy? she thought with irritation. All he knows how to do is cry.

Just then, movement at the entrance caught her attention.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted several reporters quietly slipping into the main hall. A triumphant smile nearly surfaced on her lips.

She had arranged for them to come.

Photos of her and Kristoff volunteering at the orphanage would undoubtedly generate positive headlines. It would elevate her public image while further polishing the Dalton family’s reputation.

Instantly, the annoyance on her face melted into warm elegance.

"Kristoff, honey," she called sweetly, her voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "Come help me hand out the gifts."

Kristoff glanced up before nodding. Without a word, he walked toward the platform.

Charlotte then turned to Isobel, her smile perfectly practiced.

"Isobel, may I have Alexander back?"

The words made Isobel’s heart sink.

Every instinct within her wanted to refuse.

She wanted to hold him just a little longer... to savor the warmth of his tiny body, the comforting weight in her arms, the quiet peace she inexplicably felt whenever he was close.

But...

What right did she have?

Suppressing the ache in her chest, she slowly leaned forward and carefully transferred Alexander into Charlotte’s waiting arms.

The moment Charlotte tried to take him, Alexander’s tiny fingers tightened around Isobel’s clothes.

He refused to let go.

Charlotte’s smile nearly cracked.

A flicker of irritation flashed across her eyes before she quickly smoothed her expression, painfully aware that several cameras were pointed in their direction.

"Come to Mommy," she coaxed through gritted teeth, forcing a gentle smile.

Alexander answered with a small whimper and buried his face deeper against Isobel.

Kristoff noticed the baby’s obvious resistance.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward.

"Let me carry Alex instead," he said calmly.

The moment Kristoff reached out, Alexander immediately loosened his grip on Isobel and leaned willingly toward his father, showing none of the reluctance he had displayed moments ago.

Kristoff effortlessly gathered his son into his arms.

As he did, the back of his hand accidentally brushed against Isobel’s.

It was only the briefest touch. Yet both of them froze. Kristoff lowered his gaze.

Isobel looked up at him at the exact same moment.

For several heartbeats, neither of them spoke.

The bustling orphanage, the children’s laughter, even the clicking cameras seemed to fade into the background.

Only their eyes remained locked. ℴℴ𝘮

His expression stayed composed, but beneath that calm exterior swirled emotions too complicated to name.

Longing. Regret.

Questions that neither of them dared ask.

Unable to bear his gaze any longer, Isobel was the first to look away, quietly withdrawing her hand.

"Thank you..." Kristoff finally said.

His voice remained as indifferent as ever, but there was a depth in his eyes that betrayed him.

"...for taking care of Alex these past few minutes."

Isobel forced a faint smile.

"It wasn’t any trouble."

Her voice was soft, almost inaudible.

If only she had the choice...

She would have gladly held Alexander for much, much longer.

Kristoff gave a slight nod before turning to stand beside Charlotte to face the camera.

But he had barely taken a step when Alexander suddenly twisted in his arms.

The baby stretched both tiny hands toward Isobel.

"Ma..."

The soft, childish murmur wasn’t loud.

Yet in the sudden silence that followed, it echoed through the hall like a clap of thunder.

Kristoff stopped in his tracks.

Charlotte’s smile vanished.

Richard’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Even the children looked up curiously.

Alexander continued reaching toward Isobel, his tiny fingers opening and closing as tears pooled in his bright eyes.

"Ma..."

This time, it was unmistakable.

Click!

Click! Click! Click!

The reporters reacted before anyone else.

Camera shutters exploded throughout the room, capturing every stunned expression.

Charlotte’s face turned deathly pale.

Kristoff slowly lifted his eyes from Alexander...

...and looked straight at Isobel.

His gaze was sharp.

Isobel stood rooted to the spot, her mind completely blank.

Did Alexander just called her "Ma?"