The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 75

Jack choked on his words and, refusing to give up, pressed on, “So, Dennis, when are you coming over? These four little monsters are out of control. If this goes on much longer…”

He—he was going to have a heart attack!

On the other end of the line, Dennis was busy sorting through paperwork. He let out an impatient cough and brushed Jack off. “Jack, I’m swamped here. Can’t talk right now, okay?”

Jack panicked, raising his voice. “Dennis, you’re Mr. Austin’s right-hand man! How can you just leave me hanging?”

Dennis sighed. He understood Jack’s worries, but honestly, Jack was blowing things way out of proportion. Just like Mr. Austin had said—how much trouble could a couple of kids possibly cause?

Trying to reassure him, Dennis said, “Relax, Jack. I’ll come by as soon as I can, but things are really busy right now. You get it, right? Anyway, gotta go.”

Jack tried to get another word in, but all he heard was the dead tone—Dennis had already hung up.

As night fell, Rebecca settled into the spacious living room sofa, surrounded by four little ones. Her phone lit up with an incoming video call from Mrs. Thomson.

She answered with a gentle smile, “Hi, Mom.”

Mrs. Thomson’s voice was anxious, “Rebecca, how are things over there? Are you and the kids settling in?”

Rebecca’s reply was warm, “We’re all doing great, Mom. The kids are happy too.”

Mrs. Thomson gazed at her daughter on the screen, her nose beginning to sting with the threat of tears.

Just then, the four little ones chimed in together, their voices sweet and affectionate, “Grandma!”

That one word was all it took—Mrs. Thomson’s tears spilled over, her longing for them overflowing. “Oh, my darlings, Grandma misses you so much.”

Ethan: “…”

With her orders dispatched, Mrs. Thomson’s excitement bubbled over. “My darlings, Grandma misses you so much. How about I come visit tomorrow?”

All four kids shouted in unison, “Yes!”

Staring at their smiling faces on the screen, Mrs. Thomson was filled with anticipation. She was determined—once their new playground was done, the children would be begging to come back to the Thomson house.

After a little more chatting, the children waved goodbye to their grandma one by one.

When the call ended, Rebecca turned to the kids and urged, “Alright, it’s getting late. Time to wash up and get ready for bed.”

At the mention of a bath, Ethan, ever the little sloth, tugged at Rebecca’s sleeve and whined, “Mommy, I want you to help me with my bath.”