NovelEnglishChapter 182 Norton was the oldest child at the orphanage. In this place, the younger kids were usually the first to be adopted, leaving behind those like him-children who were either living with disabilities or, like Norton and his little brother, simply too old or too prickly in personality to catch anyone's eye.
"Why me?" he asked. Norton had overheard the entire conversation between the little girl and her father, but he couldn't understand why she wanted to choose him.
He was already nine years old-the oldest one left here. There were so many other kids she could have picked.
He stood there in silence, until the little girl's triumphant voice broke through his thoughts.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"No real reason! I just like you. I want you to chwithand play withforever." She threw her arms around his waist, pressing her head against him like a little cat, nuzzling softly.
"Forever? Won't you get tired of me?" Norton squirmed at her touch, a bit ticklish, and took a step back to put a little distance between them.
Seeing him retreat, the little girl's face fell, panic flickering in her eyes. She remembered a scene she'd once seen on TV, and suddenly, she thumped her chest with determination. "I promise," she declared solemnly, "I'll take care of you just like I take care of my dad." "Oh yeah? And how do you plan to take care of me?" Norton couldn't help but smile at her earnestness, though he was more touched than amused.
After all, he was only nine-hardly in need of anyone's care.
The little girl frowned, thinking hard. "Well, I can play with you every day, and pick you up after school." That made Norton laugh out loud.
Little Citrine, thinking that wasn't enough to prove her devotion, hesitated a moment, then said through obvious reluctance, "Then...I guess I'll share my favorite cookies with you too. Even if it's my very last one, you can have it. How's that?" Her lower lip trembled as she spoke, clearly feeling the sacrifice.
Norton couldn't help but laugh again, utterly charmed by her sincerity.
As he grinned, he suddenly felt a small, gentle hand slip into his. Looking down, he saw the little girl gazing up at him with wide, pleading eyes.
"Will you chwith me?" she asked, her voice soft and sweet, as she clung to his hand.
Norton's heart melted. He crouched down and scooped her into his arms, whispering in her ear, "Alright. I'll chwith you." Just as the little girl beamed and tugged him along to meet her father, Norton stopped in his tracks.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe couldn't help it-maybe it was selfish, maybe even sneaky-but he couldn't leave his brother behind in the orphanage.
He met her big, dark eyes, suddenly struck by a new idea. Holding her m close, he whispered "Hey, would you want to have another brother? Someone who could play with us too?" She paused, thinking it over, her bright eyes searching his. "Is that what you want? You want your brother to cwith us too?" Her question was simple, direct, and innocent.
Norton froze, caught off guard by her honesty. In that moment, her pure seemed to shine a light into all heart s the dark corners of his own. "How did you know?" he managed after a long pause.
"I saw you, you know. You always let your brother have the last bite, even when you my were hungry. She hugged his neck, her face shining with mischief and pride.
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