Chapter 253

Soon, the kids were all full.

Harper noticed Christina's bowl was still mostly full and sat up straight. "Mom, why aren't you eating? You gotta eat well to stay healthy. You need to set a good example for me!"

"I already ate earlier, so I'm not really hungry right now. I'll eat again in the morning," Christina fibbed.

She glanced at the clock; it was already past seven. "Isaac, after dinner, you two can watch some TV, and then Mr. Cavendish will take you home. If you stay too late, your parents will worry."

If it were just Isaac, it wouldn't be a big deal for him to stay over. But William was here too. Christina didn't want him staying the night.

Isaac shook his head. "It's okay. Mr. Cavendish already talked to my dad before we came. If we stay late, I won't go home tonight."

William, again! Christina couldn't help but glare at him. He would do anything to stay, even using a child.

"So, can I stay over tonight?" Isaac looked at her with hopeful eyes. "I promise I'll be really good. I'll go to bed early and won't cause any trouble."

Christina hesitated, looking at Isaac's pleading eyes.

Harper gently tugged on her arm, joining in Isaac's plea. "Mom, we were in the middle of playing house. Can we play a little longer, please?"

"Alright," Christina finally nodded.

She had only agreed to let Isaac stay, not William.

After settling the kids, Christina walked over to William. "You can leave now."

"I brought Isaac out, so it's my responsibility to take him back. If he's staying, then I have to stay too," William argued.

He didn't want to leave. Even if it meant just seeing Christina and Harper a little longer, he was willing.

Christina was firm. "Do you think just because the kids get along well, I'll make endless concessions for you?"

"That's not what I meant."

"I don't care what you meant," Christina cut him off. "I won't agree to you staying here. Either you leave, or you take Isaac with you. I'll explain to Harper."

Harper was an understanding child. If Christina explained, she wouldn't throw a tantrum.

As for Isaac, Christina didn't want to disappoint him, but she had no other choice.

William was silent for a moment, then softened his tone. "Christina, you have work and the kids to take care of. I can help with them tonight. Just one night, and I'll take Isaac home tomorrow. I won't overstay my welcome."

"Not even half the night," Christina refused again.

She was resolute and wouldn't change her mind easily.

In the end, William relented. "I'll tell Isaac. I'll leave tonight and come back in the morning to take him to school."

Christina said nothing more.

William went to Harper's room, where the kids were playing on the floor.

They looked up and greeted him as he entered.

"Isaac, you'll stay here tonight. I'll come back in the morning to take you to school," William said, his eyes lingering on Harper.

She was his daughter, so small and adorable.

Isaac nodded. "Got it. See you, Mr. Cavendish."

"Bye, Dad Cavendish," Harper echoed.

After William left, Christina joined the kids for a while, then helped them get ready for bed.

That night, the kids slept soundly.

The next morning, Harper was the first to wake up.

After getting ready, she went to wake Isaac. "Isaac, get up! We don't want to be late for school. Mommy's making breakfast, and Dad Cavendish will be here soon."

Isaac rubbed his sleepy eyes.

He got out of bed, put on his shoes, and yawned as he walked out. "I wish you could come to school with me. We could play together there."

"I want to go to school too. Staying home is so boring. At school, I can play with other kids," Harper sighed.

But her mommy had said she needed to stay home a few more days, so she would.

At least she had her mom with her at home.

"It's okay. I'll wait for you. When you come to school, we can play together," Isaac said, holding out his pinky for a promise.

Christina came up to call them for breakfast and saw this.

She was worried about Harper, which was why she wanted her to rest at home.

But Harper wanted to go to school.

As a mother, she had to respect her child's wishes.

After breakfast, she and Harper walked Isaac out. He waved at them from the car.

William rolled down the window to say goodbye.

Christina responded for the kids' sake. After the car drove off, she told Harper, "Today, we'll visit Grandma. Tomorrow, you can go to school. How does that sound?"

"I can go to school tomorrow? That's great!" Harper was thrilled.

Back home, she quickly changed clothes, and they headed out.

They drove to the hospital. On the way to the room, Christina ran into Elisa's doctor.

"Ms. Windsor, I need to talk to you about your mother's condition," the doctor said seriously.

Christina followed him to his office.

Once the door was closed, the doctor pulled out Elisa's report. "Your mother's condition is very serious. I recommend stopping the chemotherapy."

"But stopping chemo means giving up, doesn't it?" Christina immediately disagreed.

For Elisa, chemo was the only way to control the cancer.

Giving it up meant giving up all treatment.

She couldn't accept that.

The doctor understood. "But Ms. Windsor, chemo itself is very harsh. Your mother can't handle the side effects anymore. Continuing might not be treating her but hastening her death."