Ruby Sullivan spent over two hours busy in the kitchen, and the braised pork that Honey, Seth, and little Rachel Lawson all loved finally ca out of the pot. The three of them were originally watching TV in the living room, but Honey, with the best nose, was the first to notice the aroma and ran to the table.
"Mom, the braised pork you made is so delicious." She blinked her big eyes, leaning on the edge of the table, her eyes just able to peek over the tabletop, and after speaking, her mouth below the table gulped.
Rachel Lawson, hearing the sound, was even more excited than Seth Sterling and humd a little tune as she quickly walked over, "Oh my, it slls so good, haha, looks like I can feast again today."
She genuinely loved eating the als Ruby Sullivan prepared, but this daughter-in-law was quite busy; if not for Ruby’s important position in the company, she would certainly persuade her to stay at ho and take care of the kids so she could indulge in food and drink every day.
Seth Sterling watched these two little girls from behind, walking over in a very mature and leisurely manner, saying nothing, but sitting on the stool. Despite his deep look, he was the most prepared one.
Ruby Sullivan smiled, "Let serve you so soup first. This tomato soup is completely vegetarian, but it tastes quite nice."
After Honey ca to The Sterling Family, she visibly put on so flesh at an alarming rate. She was already a bit chubbier than children her age because of less physical activity. If she doesn’t pay attention to her diet, Ruby fears Honey might end up round like a ball, facing the sa issues she did in her youth.
So after serving the soup, she specifically instructed Honey to eat more vegetables and less at to avoid digestive issues at night.
Honey was a very obedient child, and her mom made valid points, but at the dining table, she noticed Ruby kept offering at to Seth Sterling, saying it’s the growth period, so he should eat more.
She was a bit unhappy. Aren’t she and Seth both four years old kids?
Honey furrowed her brows, "Mom, aren’t I supposed to grow anymore? I still want to be as tall as Dad."
Ruby Sullivan was taken aback, not realizing her daughter was upset, and smiled, "Of course Honey should grow, but maybe not as tall as Dad. I’m afraid you’d be troubled by your height."
Honey actually didn’t care about being as tall as Dad; she just wanted to eat at, so after questioning her mom, she imdiately and confidently grabbed a piece of at and put it in her mouth.
Ruby Sullivan looked a bit helpless and couldn’t help nagging, "Honey, didn’t we agree you’d only eat two pieces today? Why are you sneaking more?" She pretended to be angry, hoping her daughter would listen to her words.
Telling her about dieting now might be too distant, but when she’ll want to lose weight, it’ll be as hard as reaching the sky.
The piece of at in Honey’s mouth wasn’t swallowed yet; she heard her mom’s rebuke and threw a little tantrum, chewing and swallowing it whole, frowning, "Mom, is it because you have Seth that you don’t like anymore? Why can he eat at, and I can’t?"
Ruby Sullivan didn’t know why Honey tied her liking to this issue and had to set her chopsticks down to reason with her, "Seth is a boy; boys digest faster and can eat more. You’re a girl, and you don’t exercise much. If you eat a lot of at, what if you beco a chubby girl? You’re already quite plump, you know?"
She looked at Honey like seeing her childhood self, unintentionally intensifying her tone, forgetting that Honey was only four, a chubby-cheeked age.
Honey had almost never seen her mom speak to her so sternly, and she was dumbfounded, increasingly convinced in her heart that her mom didn’t love her anymore.
Seth Sterling was clever, sensible, doing everything better than her, and healthy, unlike her; a minor bump could land her in the hospital. Even she liked Seth more; naturally, her mom would too!
Honey bit her lower lip, growing more and more aggrieved.
Rachel Lawson glanced at the mother and daughter duo, biting her chopsticks unsure how to advise. She had never handled such concerns when her sons were this age; back then, all she cared about was Ethan’s survival, and when her daughter was at this age... it was Leon Sterling’s responsibility, so less worry for her.
Seth might not empathize with Honey’s feelings but could understand her.
Because they were always together, he could sense Honey’s sensitivity and low self-esteem. Sotis, he felt all her cheeriness and blind confidence were a façade. In her heart, she was afraid her dad wouldn’t like her; with her parents recently going to ridia for their honeymoon, she began worrying her mom might leave her.
Today’s behavior was simply an accumulation of recent emotions.
Before things got worse, Seth put a piece of at in Honey’s bowl, "Honey, Mom was just worried you’d feel uncomfortable from eating too much at, Mom, don’t worry. Later, I’ll take Honey for a walk around the room so she won’t feel bad."
Seth’s childlike persuasion made Ruby Sullivan realize that her daughter was still so little, and it wasn’t her ti yet to worry about dieting.
Following that, Honey’s pitiful expression caught her gaze, filling her with guilt.
She exhaled deeply, "Honey, Mom is just worried that having too much at isn’t healthy and feeling unwell at the hospital is tough. Every ti you’re in the hospital, Mom feels worse than you do..." Unsure why she turned the topic so somber, she quickly stopped herself. Noticing Honey’s unchanging facial expression, she had no choice but to also give her a small piece, "Then, promise Mom, after dinner, follow your brother for a walk, okay?"
Seth gently tugged Honey’s arm, "Honey, be good. If you’re not upset anymore, I’ll..." He pursed his lips, biting his lip, "I’ll play Barbies with you."
When Honey heard this, her eyes instantly brightened, and the droopy corners of her mouth couldn’t help but lift slightly. She extended her little pinky, "Let’s pinky promise."
Seth, resigned to his fate, stretched out his hand, hooked pinkies with Honey, and even gave it a seal.
Rachel Lawson chuckled, "Alright, our Honey is the most sensible. After dinner, Vivian will join you for a walk; I want to maintain my figure and not add inches to my waistline."
She said, winking at Honey with an endearing, childlike playfulness.
Honey acknowledged with an "Mm," but no longer looked at Ruby Sullivan.
Ruby knew her daughter was mad at her. Seeing Rachel Lawson throw her a glance, she forced a smile and said no more. Yet, she noticed clearly, after finishing the one large and one small piece of at in her bowl, Honey didn’t take any more dishes, just finished her rice.
After dinner, the three kids rested for a while, then played a train ga in the living room. Led by Rachel Lawson as the locomotive, with two little train cars trailing behind, they slowly turned in circles.
Ruby Sullivan saw them playing happily and went upstairs to the study. She wanted to have a talk with Honey, but before that, she needed to figure out where her own issues lay.
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