, I couldn't just ignore him, but when I opened my mouth to speak, what came out was barely better than saying nothing at all.

"Just because it's not now, doesn't mean it won't be in the future.

",

"Ha ha,

" Lord laughed, his laughter contagious as Nancy, nestled in his arms, joined in.,

"Daddy, I like her. She should play with Nancy.

", The little girl sure knew how to put me on the spot., But Nancy's mom was another story, her face darkening, eyes filled with suspicion as she glared at me. She probably thought I was another one of Lord's flings.,

"Well then, you can play with her from now on,

" Lord declared as if I was some sort of playmate for hire., I was at a loss for words, hesitant to say anything inappropriate in front of the child, so I dismissed his comment as just a way to amuse Nancy. Lord approached me, still holding Nancy.

"Would you mind spending some time with my daughter? Name your price.

", Was he serious? Did he think everyone was as idle and bored as he was?, But rejecting him in front of his partner and daughter would not only embarrass him but also upset Nancy., I chuckled,

"Mr. Clark, you must be joking. I don't mind playing with your daughter, but money isn't necessary.

", Lord nodded, then turned to the woman by his side, who was visibly trembling,

"Exchange contact info with her. Whenever she's free, she can take Nancy out.

", The woman, Shirley, nodded,

"Of course, Mr. Clark. It's a pleasure to meet such a beautiful lady.

", Her words were laced with a hint of jealousy., Lord ignored her. She didn't even bother to take my contact info, clearly looking down on me.,

"Come on, didn't we plan on having Australian lobster for dinner? Daddy will take you,

" Lord once again showed his affection for Nancy with a kiss., This made me think of Allen Clark, his son. Allen must be quite a bit older than me, and yet, here he was with such a young half-sister and, of course, a stepmom who was even younger., I couldn't help but wonder how he felt about all this.,

"I want her to come too,

" Nancy suddenly invited me., This little girl really didn't hold back., Before I could find an excuse, Shirley interjected nervously,

"The lady has plans today, sweetheart., I take you to see her an ow about, day?

", ,

"No, I want her!

" Nancy insisted, showing her stubborn side., Great, just what I needed, I thought to myself, silently begging for a way out., I was about to make up an excuse that would hopefully let Nancy down gently when Lord added his two cents,

"If you're free, you should join us.

", I wasn't planning on it., I had to decline,

"Thank you, Mr. Clark, but I've already promised Herschel.

", Lord smiled,

"That's too bad. We were just talking about you.

", They were talking about me?, Of course, couldn't ask what about. Lord soon left, cooing to his daughter as Shirley followed closely behind. To an outsider, they might look like a happy family of three generations. , I watched them leave before heading to Herschel's room., He seemed to have exhausted himself talking to Lord, resting with his eyes closed., Not wanting to disturb him, I just sat there quietly, his presence comforting. His silver hair reminded me of how he looked ten years ago, and all he had done for me over the years. , Lost in thought, I was startled when Herschel suddenly called out my name,

"Felicia.

",

"Herschel,

" I responded, only to find his eyes still closed, as if he had called out to me in his sleep., After a brief pause, I tentatively called out to him again,

"Herschel...

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