Strangers Under the Same Roof

I said in a trembling voice, "I will buy it for you. I will buy you lots of robots."

Noah wiped his tears and obediently nodded, but he never again cried out about why Uncle hadn’t come.

Looking at Noah’s reddened eyes, I silently said in my heart, 'Daniel Thompson, you have one last chance.'

Just before the Sports Day was about to begin, Daniel came running over, panting.

Noah spotted him immediately. The dullness in his eyes vanished in an instant, and like a little cannonball, he rushed out.

"Dad, you finally came!"

Daniel heard the voice and looked at Noah. His expression turned unpleasant.

"What are you doing here?"

Hearing his question, a wave of unease washed over me.

Noah skipped over to his side, lifted his little face, and said, "Dad…"

Daniel looked at him sternly and questioned coldly, "What did you just call me?"

The joy on Noah’s face froze. He obediently said, "Uncle Daniel, thank you for coming with me to the Sports Day.

"It’s about to start, let’s go!"

Noah was beyond happy. In class, other kids often called him a fatherless brat with no father. Now that Dad had come, he could finally hold his head up high.

Holding Dad’s hand, he wanted to tell them he wasn’t a fatherless brat!

"That’s my dad! You fatherless brat, get lost!"

The next second, a small figure rushed over like a whirlwind and knocked Noah to the ground.

My heart aching, I helped Noah up and looked at the wound on his palm while feeling furious.

"Where’s your mother? Is this how she raises you?"

Hearing my scolding voice, Daniel instinctively shielded the boy behind him. "Max didn’t do it on purpose. Why are you being so harsh?"

Max Matthews spoke up angrily, "Who told you to try to steal my dad?! Dad came to attend the Sports Day with me!"

Noah was stunned. Tears fell, and his expression broke into sadness.

Daniel looked at Noah’s tears and felt a bit uneasy. He instinctively called out, "Noah…"

Noah wiped away his tears stoically and said, "Sorry, I forgot my dad is dead. I mistook him for the wrong person."

"What did you say?" Daniel looked at Noah in shock.

However, Noah had already grabbed my hand and walked away. I could feel how much strength he was using.

Daniel wanted to catch up, but Max and Claire clung to him. "Dad, the Sports Day is starting. Let’s go join quickly!"

Noah held my hand tighter and almost ran off with me.

The lively Sports Day had begun. Noah turned down all events and quietly stood in the stands, watching his father carry another child in the parent-child games. As he watched, his tears fell without a single sob.

I could feel the sadness enveloping Noah’s small body. My chest was filled with anger, but I was helpless.

At last, Noah’s tears dried up. He softly said, "Mom, let’s go. It’s time to leave."

I immediately said with heartache, "Let’s go. We’ll leave tonight."

As the event came to an end, Noah and I ran into that family of three again.

Daniel looked at Noah and me, and suddenly reacted as though the child in his arms was burning hot.

Before he could put him down, Noah said from the bottom of his heart, "Goodbye, Uncle Daniel."