Chapter 596

Ethan Roscente frowned slightly.

At only twenty-eight, how had Theo Evans labeled him as "old"?

What strange ideas had Vivian Laurent been putting in the child's head?

Theo clutched the phone with tiny hands, his voice sweet and soft. "Uncle Ethan is home with me. He's so nice to me. Vivian, do I bother you when I call so much?"

"Of course not," Vivian's gentle voice floated through the receiver. "I'm always happy when you call me."

Theo's eyes brightened.

Unlike his mother who always seemed annoyed by him, Vivian never made him feel like a nuisance.

"Vivian, will you stay with me forever?"

The perceptive woman immediately caught the sadness in his tone. "Are you missing your mom?"

"Yeah..." Theo's voice dropped to a whisper. "Mom says I'm annoying..."

Vivian's heart clenched.

This poor child had been hurt by his own mother's cruel words.

"Maybe she was just having a bad day. You can always talk to me, okay? Would you like me to tell you a bedtime story?"

"Yes!"

Their conversation lasted much longer than expected.

Eventually, Theo drifted off to sleep listening to Vivian's soothing fairy tale.

Ethan had remained silent the entire time, barely daring to breathe lest Vivian discover he was listening.

He never knew Vivian could be so good with children.

Sophia Evans only ever used Theo as a pawn, but Vivian genuinely cared for the boy.

"Theo? Are you asleep?" Vivian's soft inquiry came through the phone.

Ethan glanced down at the sleeping child in his arms and quietly stopped the recording.

"Goodnight."

That simple farewell from Vivian warmed Ethan's heart in ways he couldn't explain.

All his exhaustion from work miraculously melted away.

After hanging up, he whispered to the silent phone, "Goodnight."

That night, both uncle and nephew slept more peacefully than they had in months.

At 6:30 the next morning, Theo came bouncing onto Ethan's bed.

"Uncle Ethan! Wake up!"

Rubbing his eyes, Ethan checked his watch. "This early?"

"You promised to take me shopping!" Theo's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I want to get Vivian the best present ever!"

Ethan chuckled. "Alright, let's go."

After breakfast, they headed straight to the mall.

Theo tugged Ethan's hand excitedly as they weaved through the designer boutiques.

"Vivian would look so pretty in this dress!"

"Ooh! Do you think she'd like this sparkly necklace?"

The enthusiastic boy practically wanted to buy out the entire mall for Vivian.