Just then, Aurelia looked at me and then at Naomi, who was following her. Her little face scrunched up as she asked, "Two mummies?"
"No, this is our real mummy." Though Wynn's voice was not at all loud, it was firm. "Didn't you say that mummy doesn't smell right? Do you want to try smelling it again?"
After hearing that, Aurelia extended her hand to me as if it had dawned on her. "Hug!"
I grinned and took her in my arms. Then she put her arms around my neck and rubbed her face against me. Her action made me itchy and amused.
"Can you differentiate us now?" I asked with a smile.
"Mmm!" Aurelia nodded vigorously between my neck before tilting her head over and said, "It's Mummy's smell! You're my real mummy!"
I couldn't help but chuckle at the child's innocence. I reached up and pinched her cheek, teasing, "Tell me, how do I smell differently from Aunt Naomi?"
"Well..." Aurelia pursed her lips in thought for a moment and finally shook her head, "I don't know.
I don't know how to explain it..." "I was going to trick you two, but it turns out you were already on to me a long while ago." Naomi put the cake aside and interjected as she walked over. "Tell me, Aurelia. I want to know when you figured it out. After all, I use the same perfume as your mother."
"It's not the perfume!" Aurelia raised her voice. Still, she was unable to put her finger on what it was. "But it's different for sure!"
Afraid that we would continue to ask questions, the little one buried her face in my chest and refused to speak again.
That was how stubborn children could be. They shut themselves up if they knew they couldn't express what was on their minds.
Could children who were not biologically related get attached to one another that quickly?
Not that this moment was the time to ponder such matters. It was best to leave this dangerous place as soon as we can.
"Why are you in such a rush to leave? Aren't you going to introduce me to your kids, Arianna? After all, we look so much alike." Naomi smirked as if she wasn't going to let us leave.
"Do you think you can make me stay?" Hendrix snapped. His tone was so harsh that even Wynn and Neal looked at him, sensing the man's imposing presence.
"You're always so quick to lose your temper, Hendrix." Finally noticing the commotion, Jordan came over with his hands in his pockets. "I've always been the go- to person for Wynn's computer issues. I'm sure a lot of turmoil has piled up now that so much time has passed. Besides, isn't it normal for Naomi and Arianna to chat for a bit after being separated for so long?"
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