Chapter 269

Harrison Whitmore's heart had melted when little Evelyn Carter called his name. Taking his role as her guide seriously, he had taken her for a pony ride through the estate gardens.

Evelyn's curious eyes darted around as she bombarded him with endless questions.

"Harrison, why can't ponies talk like us?"

"Why is the sky that shade of blue?"

"How come birds can fly but we can't?"

"Why are there boys and girls?"

The questions kept coming, but young Harrison answered each one with remarkable patience, never once losing his composure.

"You're amazing, Harrison! You know everything!"

Evelyn gazed at him with such admiration that Harrison could practically see sparkles in her eyes. His chest swelled with pride.

This little girl was absolutely precious!

"Evie, will you be my little sister?" he asked hopefully.

Evelyn shook her head vigorously. "No!"

She began counting on her tiny fingers with great seriousness. "I already have three brothers at home... If I add you, that would make four older brothers!"

Harrison's face fell instantly.

A pang of jealousy shot through him.

"You have three brothers, but I don't have any little sisters!"

Evelyn blinked thoughtfully. Then she reached for Harrison's hand with sudden inspiration. "Then don't be my brother. Be my husband instead."

Harrison nearly fell off the pony in shock. At seven years old, he knew things other children didn't.

Like how when boys grew up, they married girls!

Married people got to be together forever and even have babies! Though his mother Beatrice had warned him marriage wasn't something to take lightly.

"Why do you want me to be your husband?" he asked carefully.

Evelyn answered with childlike innocence. "Because my brother Dominic said every girl only gets one husband when she grows up. So Harrison, will you be mine?"

Harrison thought this was brilliant. This way, his adorable Evie would stay with him forever!

"Okay."

"Let's pinky promise!"

"Pinky promise."

Their small fingers intertwined, sealing their childhood vow.

But the next morning, Harrison was jolted awake by loud sobbing. Rubbing his eyes, he found Evelyn standing by his bed, tears streaming down her face.

Panic set in immediately.

"What's wrong?"

He scrambled to comfort her, but nothing worked. If anything, her crying intensified.

"Don't cry—"

"I'll give you my favorite toy car!"

"I'll buy you that doll you wanted!"

"Want to go riding again?"

Harrison was sweating with worry, completely at a loss.

Just then, Beatrice Whitmore entered the room and gathered Evelyn into her arms. "Sweetheart, what's the matter?"

Evelyn buried her face in Beatrice's shoulder, hiccuping between sobs. "Dominic said... if I sleep in the same bed as a boy... I'll get pregnant! I don't want to be pregnant yet... I don't want a baby now..."

Her cries grew even louder.

Beatrice couldn't help but laugh. "Darling, that's not how it works!"

Evelyn's tears stopped abruptly. She peered up with hopeful, watery eyes. "Really?"

Beatrice nodded firmly. "You and Harrison aren't married, and you're both children. Children don't have babies."

Evelyn nodded slowly, only half understanding. But it was enough—her radiant smile returned, all worries forgotten.