Top tier Wife

Why doesn’t the child have a father?

“Alright, it’s just that I feel bad. Since you don’t want it, then I won’t add it.”

“No, no, no! Adding it is always better than not. No one would complain about more money, right?” Jake M. said, grinning sheepishly. The expression was downright sleazy.

Rose hated seeing Jake M. so obsessed with money. She said, “I’ve told you, money isn’t the issue. As long as you do your job properly, I won’t shortchange you. Later, spend some time with him… he really depends on you.”

Jake M. nodded.

“Daddy, I’ve washed my face. Let’s go play!” W ran out after washing his face, grabbing Jake M.’s hand.

“It’s so late. Where are you going to play? Look at the time—it’s almost eight o’clock. Don’t you remember? Bedtime starts at eight,” Rose said sternly.

“No, no, no! I want to go out and play! I want to go out with Daddy, just for a little while, okay?”

“No!”

“I… I’ll just take him out for a bit, just a short while. Today’s Friday, and there’s no school tomorrow. Staying up a little late won’t hurt!” Jake M. said with a smile, genuinely concerned for the child.

“You don’t understand. The most important thing for a child is to sleep early. Proper sleep is crucial for a child,” Rose shot him a sharp glance.

“Is it really that serious? You don’t have to make everything such a strict rule. Kids are human too; they have feelings and needs. They’re not machines—you can’t just decide when they sleep or wake. A little relaxation won’t hurt.” Jake M. strongly disagreed with Rose’s strict approach.

“How I raise my son is none of your business!” Rose snapped.

“Don’t forget, I’m his father. Come on, tonight Daddy’s in charge. I’ll take you out to play. But just a little, then back to bed. What do you want to play?” Jake M., stubborn as ever, scooped up W and headed for the door.

“I want to play ball! I’ll get the ball!” W ran inside happily to grab a small basketball.

“Jake M., you’d better remember your place,” Rose said, her face dark with anger, gritting her teeth.

“I know my place. But let me remind you: caring for a child properly is right, but you don’t need to be so rigid. A relaxed environment is best for a child’s development. If you constantly restrict him, do you really think he’ll achieve anything in the future? You don’t need to lecture me. If you’re unhappy with me, just fire me tomorrow,” Jake M. shot back.

“Daddy, here’s the ball.”

“Great, let’s go. I’ll teach you how to play. We’ll just play in the yard.” Jake M. picked up W again and went into the yard.

For the next forty minutes, Jake M. played ball with W. The two of them, big and small, had a blast.

Standing by the window, Rose’s face was initially dark as she watched Jake M., but gradually softened. Eventually, she found herself staring, even smiling a little. The scene in front of her—the ordinary yet harmonious interaction—actually moved her.

“This Mr. Fang seems to really like Xiaoyu. He seems genuine, not pretending,” the maid said.

“Yes, he’s a caring man. That’s why I chose him,” Rose replied calmly.

Jake M. didn’t let W play too long. After about forty minutes, he sent W to bed. He didn’t have kids and didn’t know much about childcare, but he understood that play is a natural part of childhood and strict rules aren’t always necessary. Of course, he knew he was only a temporary father figure; the child wasn’t his, so he didn’t push too far. Remarkably, W, who ignored both his mother and the maid, obeyed Jake M. almost without question.

After W showered, Rose said, “Once he’s asleep, you can leave.”

“Okay,” Jake M. nodded, lighting a cigarette by the window. For a strong-willed woman like Rose, he didn’t want to speak too much. She always carried a queenly air, which he found hard to handle.

“Sorry for my earlier words. I didn’t mean to, please don’t mind,” Rose suddenly said.

Jake M. widened his eyes, surprised to hear an apology from her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Rose asked.

“Nothing… it’s just hearing you say ‘sorry’ feels amazing!” Jake M. chuckled.

“You…” Rose was flustered, then coldly added, “You’re the type who lights up with just a little sunshine. Take whatever you want—there are drinks in the fridge, fruit on the table. I’m going to shower.”

She left without another word.

“I really do have a cheeky mouth,” Jake M. muttered to himself, finishing his cigarette and grabbing a drink from the fridge while watching TV. Exhausted from a full day, he almost nodded off on the sofa.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, W called out for Daddy. Turning his head, Jake M. saw Rose in pajamas carrying W to the living room.

“Alright, say goodnight to Daddy. It’s bedtime,” Rose said.

Jake M. smiled, “Goodnight, sleep well.”

“No, no, Daddy, don’t go! I want to sleep with you!” W immediately started crying.

Rose frowned, “Daddy isn’t leaving. He won’t go.”

“No! I want to sleep with Daddy. I want to sleep with both Daddy and Mommy!”

“What?” Both Jake M. and Rose were stunned.

“You’re talking nonsense!” Rose blushed, scolding her son.

“I’m not! They said they all sleep with their parents. Why can’t I? I want to sleep with both Daddy and Mommy!” W’s tantrum shook the room.

“Alright, alright, Daddy and Mommy will sleep with you,” Rose finally relented.

“What? This works?” Jake M. couldn’t believe it.

“Stop questioning me! Come in!” Rose glared, then carried W into her bedroom.

Jake M. followed, still in disbelief.It was his first time entering a woman’s bedroom. He had to admit, a woman’s bedroom was very cozy, filled with a subtle feminine scent—the same scent Rose carried.

“Daddy, come! Sleep here, sleep here!” W pointed insistently at the bed.

Jake M. felt incredibly awkward, standing by the door. “Be good, you sleep first. Daddy will stay here and watch you, alright?”

“No! I want to sleep with Daddy and Mommy. Every night I want to sleep with both. All the other kids do. Please, Daddy!” W started crying again.

Jake M. scratched his head, completely embarrassed.

“You sleep over there, he sleeps over there,” Rose said, quietly to Jake M., “Once he’s asleep, you can leave. He’s too tired from playing today; don’t let him throw another tantrum.”

Jake M. realized Rose was also trying to appear calm but was clearly embarrassed. Out of respect for the child, she had no choice. Even he, a man, felt awkward—how much more for a woman? He silently admired her; every mother truly was remarkable.

With no other option, Jake M. went to the other side of the bed. He didn’t know whether to remove his clothes or not, so he only took off his coat, leaving his trousers on, and lay down at the edge. Rose slept on the opposite side, and W in the middle. Fortunately, the bed was large, so there was enough space between them, avoiding physical contact. Still, two strangers sleeping on the same bed felt awkward and strange.

Jake M. smelled the intoxicating fragrance from the pillow. He had to admit—it was pleasant and calming, though it made him slightly restless, being a healthy young man.

“Daddy… can you hold me?” W looked up at Jake M. with wide eyes.

“Sure, Daddy will hold you.” Jake M. reached out and hugged W in his arms.

“Daddy, I want you to tell me a story,” W said earnestly.

“A story?”

“Yes! At home, Mommy tells me a story every night before bed. Tonight, you tell me one, and you do it every night from now on, okay?”

“You tell him the story. He’s used to it; he needs it to sleep,” Rose reminded him.

“But… but I don’t know how to tell stories!” Jake M. pouted.

“Make it up!” Rose whispered.

Jake M. panicked. Making up stories was not easy—he wasn’t Hans Christian Andersen.

“Follow along and read!” Rose got up, grabbed a book, handed it to Jake M., and turned off the lights. “Turn on the desk lamp.”

Jake M. obeyed, opening the lamp and flipping through the book. W clutched him tightly, eyes wide.

“Once upon a time, there was a hardworking little squirrel and a lazy little crow. They were best friends. Autumn was ending, and winter was coming. The wind was biting, the snow was harsh. The little squirrel searched for food everywhere, while the little crow lounged in bed, watching TV and eating leftover food from last year…” Jake M. read a page at random.

Suddenly, he felt a kick from someone. He looked back at Rose.

“Check if he’s asleep yet,” she whispered.

Jake M. saw W, still clutching his hand tightly, sleeping soundly.

“He’s asleep. I’ll go now,” Jake M. whispered.

“Okay,” Rose whispered too, then sat up to watch her son.

“He’s holding me really tight. Help me get him off,” Jake M. said. W’s grip was unyielding.

Rose tried to move W’s hands, but W, still asleep, murmured in his sleep, “Daddy… don’t go…”

They froze, staring at each other.

“Maybe… maybe you should stay tonight?” Rose hesitated, blushing.

“Ah?” Jake M. was surprised.

“If he wakes up and doesn’t see you, he’ll fuss. He’s too dependent on you. You just sleep there; leave in the morning. Say you have work. He shouldn’t fuss then,” Rose explained.

“This… isn’t appropriate, right?” Jake M. felt uneasy.

“There’s nothing inappropriate. Just stay there. I’m a lawyer—if you do anything untoward, I’ll see you in jail!” Rose warned.

“What logic is that? You want me to stay in your bed and then accuse me of doing something? I’d be more worried if you had intentions toward me!” Jake M. protested.

“You…” Rose was furious, then sighed. “It’s for the child. He’s never had a father. Luckily I found you, or he might have developed psychological issues from this dependence.”

Jake M. nodded. The child had indeed never known a father, even with good living conditions.

“May I ask… what happened to the father?” Jake M. asked cautiously. “Not gossiping—just need to know in case he wakes up and I’m here…”

Rose looked at him and finally explained, “He has no father. I have no husband. Don’t worry, no one will come, so you can sleep peacefully.”