When all the guests had left, Yvonne took a piece of cake to Elvin's room and put it on his study table.

She thought for a while before apologizing to him in a soft voice. "El, I'm sorry that I didn't let you join the birthday party tonight ..."

"No worries. I don't like to play with them either." Elvin picked up the fork and ate two mouthfuls of the cake. "Mommy, do I have to avoid him from now onward?" he asked all of a sudden.

"El, he isn't a good man. I'm afraid that he'll hurt you, so—