Grace Quinn clenched her fists tightly at John Amster's frivolous words. She wished she could pull the corners of his mouth back, tie them into a bow, and stuff his mouth full of whole wheat bread.
Struggling to clear her mind, she maintained a calm facade and covered her lips with her hand as she coughed softly. "My preferences don't matter, Mr. Amster. I want to talk to you about Jimmy."
"Jimmy is a sensitive and withdrawn child. Recently, he's been in low spirits, with a decreased appetite. When he takes a nap at school, I've noticed he has sleep disorders. Even when he finally falls asleep, he wakes up frequently. After an assessment by our school's psychologist, he..." Grace paused, adding, "He shows a tendency towards depression."
John's expression shifted to a cold solemnity. "When did it start?"
"He's never been very lively, but this semester he's become even gloomier. His emotional instability began about two months ago."
Grace could vaguely guess some of the reasons, primarily related to his family situation. "Mr. Amster, if the child's condition doesn't improve, we suggest he rest at home."
The principal had long proposed that Jimmy should go home; the school couldn't assume responsibility if something happened to a child like him. However, Grace believed that the person who tied the bell to the tiger must untie it. If the real reason for his issues lay within the family, sending him back would only worsen the situation. That's why she had been especially attentive to both Jimmy and Larry, the two children with psychological issues in her class.
John Amster's gaze was fixed on her, the earlier flirtation completely vanished.
He lit a cigarette with slender fingers, the white smoke swirling around his face, obscuring his expression. "So, Miss Quinn, what's your suggestion?"
"I hope Mr. Amster can pay more attention to Jimmy. Children are sensitive. The wild teaching methods you just demonstrated won't work."
After a pause, she added, "If possible, try to let the child's mother accompany him. He craves maternal love, and having her by his side would greatly improve his situation."
"Miss Quinn, that might not be possible."
John pressed the cigarette, letting the ash fall into the ashtray, his movements casual yet elegant. Grace leaned forward, propping her hands on the table, anxiety creeping in. "Why?"
"Because his biological mother is no longer alive."
John extinguished the cigarette butt, mirroring Grace's posture, narrowing the distance between them. "You care so much about Jimmy. Why not consider my proposal? Jimmy likes you very much. If you could be his stepmother, he'd be truly happy."
Just then, a loud crash echoed from upstairs.
"Jimmy!" Concern washed over Grace. Although he had been improving under her care, she feared something had happened.
Without thinking, she rushed upstairs, forgetting she was wearing slippers. In her haste, she kicked the leg of the sofa and stumbled, one slipper flying off. With a heavy thud, Grace's knees struck the hard floor tiles.
"How are you?" John reached out to her.
Pain radiated from her knees, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. But thinking of Jimmy, she ignored her discomfort. Grace extended her hand to John Amster. He gently pulled her up without much effort.
Once on her feet, her knees throbbed, but she brushed it off. "I'm okay." She limped upstairs.
John frowned slightly.
The second floor was luxuriously decorated, with paintings lining the walls and precious porcelain displayed on antique shelves. Grace soon spotted a little girl standing beside one of the shelves. The girl bore a striking resemblance to Jimmy. Dressed in a complicated princess gown with a crown atop her head, she stared at Grace with a cold expression.
Before Grace could inquire about her identity, Jimmy came downstairs. She quickly embraced him. "Jimmy."
"Miss Quinn, what's wrong?" He had just bathed, his hair damp and smelling sweetly of fruit.
Seeing his cute, soft appearance, Grace felt a wave of relief. "I heard something break, so I came to check. Who is she...?"
John moved the little girl away from the shards of porcelain, ensuring she was unharmed. "She's Jimmy's younger sister, Alice."
"Are they twins?" Grace asked, surprised. The two children seemed of similar age. Why hadn't Jimmy mentioned her at school?
"For personal reasons, she's been raised at home," John explained.
Alice continued to glare at Grace with an almost hostile gaze, a demeanor hard for Grace to reconcile with a child. Sensing the girl's hostility, Grace surmised it was likely due to John's earlier comment, which might have painted her as an unwelcome outsider.
Grace decided to propose leaving. "Mr. Amster, I hope you'll pay attention to what we've discussed. It's getting late; I should go. Please take good care of the two children."
Despite her attempts to remind him, John followed her outside as she approached her car. The night wind chilled her skin, and under the streetlight, John's tall, slender figure seemed to loom closer.
"Miss Quinn." His voice was steady and cold, cutting through the night air.
Grace reached for the car door handle, but a warm hand covered hers, stopping her. John's grip was firm yet gentle, the calluses on his palm evident against her skin.
As the wind rustled around them, John stepped closer, pinning Grace against the car. His dark eyes bore into hers with a meaningful intensity. "Miss Quinn, tonight shall we..."