Paula, Let's Celebrate Lukas' Birthday!

"William! You have to explain all of this to us," Alex pleaded, not wanting to be ignored by his only child.

"Dad, I don't know what you're talking about," William tried to deflect.

"Who is that girl?" Lisa pressed. "What is she, Paula's look-alike? Why is she so similar at first glance?"

"She's just a girl who happens to have blonde hair and blue eyes. So what?" William replied irritably.

"There are many women like that. But not all of them look so much like your late wife!" Lisa retorted. "Are you telling me you had someone undergo plastic surgery to look exactly like Paula to deceive Lukas?"

"Well, if that were my intention, why didn't I just make her identical to Paula?" William countered, leaving his mother speechless.

"He's right, Lisa! He should have made a doll for Lukas to sleep with," Alex chimed in, supporting William. "So that his property can function again."

"Alex!" Lisa snapped. She didn't want her husband to bring up William's shortcomings since Paula's departure.

Even William's parents wanted him to remarry soon to bring back the joy and happiness of their only son. Yet, they hadn't even seen him dating anyone. What other reason could there be other than his inability to be a complete man?

"Dad, Mom, please. I don't want you to meddle in my affairs, at least not today," William pleaded and begged. He was already exhausted. Allowing Lukas to interact with Ava alone had forced him to cross many boundaries.

William's parents fell silent, looking at their son with a concerned gaze. "William, forgive us if we have been too involved in your affairs. But everything we do is for your own good."

"Everything you do is indeed for my own good. Whatever it may be," William said without a smile.

Alex and Lisa exchanged glances, then they knew it was time to step back. The couple then left William's presence, holding back the thousands of questions hanging in their minds.

From a distance, they observed Ava and how happy Lukas was playing with her. Lisa's eyes welled up with tears. It had been a long time since she saw Alex play so joyfully like that.

"I think it's better if we let them live their own lives," Alex said later. "Let's just play our roles as good grandparents."

Lisa nodded in agreement. They approached, joining Lukas and his friends. Secretly, they observed Ava. If it weren't for the different faces of Ava and Paula, they would surely have mistaken her for their daughter-in-law ... or her ghost.

***

After dinner, Ava immediately asked Lukas to go to bed. Today was indeed his birthday, but tomorrow was someone else's birthday. It was no longer time for Lukas to relax. However, Lukas, being stubborn, continued to play with his Legos. He wanted to play with Ava a little longer.

"You have to start your lessons again tomorrow, so go to sleep," Ava said, noticing Lukas yawning but still forcing himself to play Lego with her.

"Can't I sleep at twelve today?" Lukas pleaded. "I still want to spend time with you. Let's consider it a celebration."

"No, Lukas," Ava firmly replied. "I'm here to accompany you in playing, but not all day long. If you sleep late today, you might get sick, and it will mess up your schedule for the entire week and even the next month," Ava argued at length.

"I often see Dad coming home late or sleeping late," Lukas retorted. "But he's not sick. He still works normally the next day."

"I'll only set your schedule when you're still a child. When you're an adult, you can do the same as your dad, and I won't object to it!" Ava responded irritably. She had never had a child or a younger sibling. It turned out that managing a child who liked her was still tiring, let alone one who didn't. It must feel like hell.

Lukas merely pursed his lips, disappointed with Ava's decision. It seemed that no adult would allow him to relax and play all the time. "Is adult life so difficult that it prohibits children from playing?"

"Lukas, you know that you're not prohibited from playing. It's just that your playtime needs to be limited. Look at me, my dad used to be wealthy, but because he was easily deceived, he ended up bankrupt just as easily," Ava lectured again. She felt guilty for using her father as a bad example. But she didn't want Lukas to think that her words were just empty talk. "When you go bankrupt, not only do you suffer losses, but also your family and even your employees."

"Are all the people who are deceived and go bankrupt lazy?" Lukas asked again. Children could be so smart sometimes, making adults feel cornered.

"Even those who are prepared can still be deceived, let alone those who are not," Ava replied, not backing down. "You have to prepare yourself a lot in your youth to avoid losses in the future."

"But…."

"No buts for tonight! It's 10 pm already."

Lukas finally obeyed when Ava asked him to tidy up his Lego. Ava stroked Lukas's head and praised him repeatedly.

"That's much better, little man!" Ava said. "Now brush your teeth and change into your pajamas."

However, Lukas wouldn't be himself if he didn't employ a tactic. He still asked Ava to read a storybook to him. That way, he could have more time with his new nanny. Even though it was only a few minutes, it meant a lot to him.

After Lukas finally fell asleep, Ava walked out of the room and was about to go to her own room. She went to the kitchen first to get a drink.

Unfortunately, she found William, who seemed drunk for some reason, on a night when he was supposed to be accompanying his son. Right now, he looked like a useless person, drinking while gazing at a photo of his late wife.

"Paula...." William whispered between sips. "Lukas is six years old now, my love. Look, he's so handsome and smart. He's like you, not like me...."

Ava, who had initially sneered at William's behavior, now felt a tightness in her chest because the man was mourning. It must be very difficult for him because he actually wanted to raise their beloved son together with his wife.

Unbeknownst to Ava, she stood there for a long time. She didn't move even when William's eyes found her.

"Paula... you finally came! Let's celebrate Lukas' birthday!"