Chapter 4 We Went to Eat Fried Chicken

Unexpectedly, the kids overheard the conversation, and the name Donovan struck a chord with them.'Donovan? That name sounds familiar. Isn't that Dad's name?' Landon wondered, his brow furrowing.

'Did Mom just run into Dad? And she's all freaked out about it? Mom must really not like Dad. He must've done something bad,' Winston speculated, his eyes wide with curiosity.

They exchanged a knowing look, silently promising to give Donovan a piece of their minds if they ever met him.

"What a coincidence! You guys are really destined to meet," Harper said, a bit skeptical, as she scanned the area, trying to spot Donovan.

Riley tugged at her arm. "Don't look around; let's just go."

"Look at how tense you are. So what if it's him? Haven't you moved on yet?" Harper teased, trying to read Riley's expression.

Riley replied seriously, "Of course not, I'm just worried..." Her eyes flicked to the two kids beside them.

Harper chuckled, "I get it; I was just messing with you. Let's get in the car!"

Once everyone was seated, Harper glanced at the people in the backseat and asked, "All set? Ready to roll?"

"All set!" Landon and Winston chimed in obediently.

With everyone settled, Harper hit the gas and headed towards Pixel Haven, which was conveniently in the same neighborhood as Harper's, making future visits easy.

At the airport, Donovan's face was dark. "Cancel all my international appointments!" he ordered. His daughter, Finley Wilder, was missing, forcing him to change his plans.

His assistant, Paxton Alden, stood respectfully by his side, speaking calmly, "Mr. Wilder, we've already increased the search efforts and expanded the area. Don't worry, Miss Wilder shouldn't have gone far. We should find her soon."

Donovan loved Finley deeply, but neither of them were good at communicating. Donovan never liked expressing his feelings; he kept everything bottled up inside. Finley wasn't good with words either, so they were constantly at odds, which gave Paxton a headache.

With Finley missing, none of them could rest. Paxton's only wish was for her safe return, so he could report back and escape Donovan's icy demeanor.

An hour and a half later, Harper's car pulled up smoothly at the entrance of Pixel Haven and brought Riley and the kids' luggage inside before the two kids started clamoring for food.

"Mommy, we're starving." Landon and Winston had heard Riley rave about how good the food was back home, and today they wanted to have a try for themselves!

"What do you want to eat? I'll take you!" Harper asked gently, holding their hand.

Winston replied sweetly, "Harper, we'll eat whatever you choose, but Mom said no fast food, so no burgers and fries!" Despite his words, Winston's longing for fried chicken and burgers was obvious.

Landon's eyes lit up. "Winston says he wants burgers and fries!"

"I do not!" Winston protested vehemently, though the loud gulp he took betrayed him.

Harper couldn't help but laugh. "Winston, you're so adorable," She said, ruffling his chubby cheeks.

Riley was also amused. "Alright then, today I'll make an exception and let you have fried chicken and burgers! But remember, don't overindulge."

"Okay, Mommy!" Landon and Winston responded earnestly, their eyes sparkling with joy.

When they were abroad, they often watched videos of burgers and fries online and were always tempted. Riley had taken them to try fast food a few times, but she always complained it never tasted as good as back home. This only made them more eager to try the local versions.