Elliot turned and headed upstairs to the study, leaving Adora lingering near the door, listening for any sign of his footsteps outside.
Meanwhile, Asher lay in Sheena's arms, turning to ask, "Is Daddy gone? What was he muttering about?"
Adora carefully cracked open the door, squinting her big eyes to peer outside the hallway.
It was empty.
"Daddy finally left," she cheered, but her excitement faded quickly. "Before he left, he said he'll remember this."
Adora pouted, quickly climbing onto the bed and clutching Sheena's leg. "Mommy, you have to protect me. Daddy's holding a grudge for his own mistakes. If you don't help me, he's going to spank me!"
Sheena could not help but laugh at the antics of her two naughty children.
She ruffled Adora's hair playfully and said, "Don't worry, as long as you behave and don't make mistakes, Daddy won't have anything to hold against you."
Shaking her head, Adora retorted, "But I can't help it! I'm not a little princess. I'm a little troublemaker, a tomboy. Daddy will find every little thing to pick on."
Asher chimed in with a smirk, "Looks like you know yourself pretty well. You know you're naughty and good at getting into trouble."
Adora scrunched up her face, clearly annoyed.
"Asher, don't get too cheeky. Daddy's keeping score on you too. He'll catch you sooner or later!"
Seeing the two about to start another round of bickering, Sheena quickly intervened.
"Alright, it's time for bed."
Adora looked at Sheena with pleading eyes.
"Mommy, you don't love me anymore. You didn't even say you'll keep me safe!"
Sheena, fully aware of her daughter's mischievous nature, chuckled and patted her head.
"A little spanking is nothing for a tough girl!"
Adora sighed dramatically. "Ugh, I'm so pitiful."
Sheena picked up the fairy tale book from the bedside table.
"It's because you locked me out, so I had to resort to desperate measures to secure a spot in bed with you," Elliot replied unashamedly.
Sheena glanced at their sleeping children, signaling with her eyes.
"There's no room for you here. Go back to the study and sleep."
Elliot quickly approached the bed, bending down to kiss her cheek and being stubborn.
"No, wherever you are, I'll be there."
Sheena, already feeling her anger dissipate, struggled to suppress a smile.
She cleared her throat softly, holding back laughter as she continued to scold him, "I won't let what happened in the car slide. You brought up those old matters in front of the children, embarrassing me. You're obviously just asking for trouble."
Elliot bent down again, this time planting a kiss on her other cheek playfully.
"I'll get the ruler. If you want to punish me, go ahead. I thought about my actions, and I did make a mistake. Being punished by you will make me feel at ease too," Elliot said earnestly.
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