I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies!-Chapter 426 Alina Introduces Dante to Her Mother

He didn’t say anything at first. He simply looked at her, that thoughtful gaze resting on her face as if he was memorizing every flicker of emotion there. Then, in a calm, almost careful voice, he asked, "Aren’t you going to properly introduce me to your mom?"

Alina’s heart skipped so hard it felt like it struck her ribs. She nodded quickly, excitement and nervousness tangling together in her chest until her palms felt warm. "Sure... let’s go," she said softly, reaching for his hand without even realizing it. Her fingers curled around his, grounding herself, and she led him down the hallway toward the room she hadn’t dared to approach too fast.

She stopped outside the door, her breath catching. Is she awake? Or sleeping? Her hand hovered in the air for a second as she gathered herself, then she knocked gently.

Knock.

Knock.

The door was locked, but a weak voice floated through from inside. "It’s open... come in."

Alina pushed the door open slowly, and the moment her eyes landed on the bed, everything inside her broke.

Her mother was sitting up, a book resting in her hands. Her face was thinner, softer somehow, and only a few strands of hair framed her head now, sticking out in a way that looked oddly cute, almost funny. The sunlight from the window fell across her lap, and for a second Alina forgot how to breathe.

"Mom...?" she whispered, her voice trembling as tears filled her eyes.

"Lina?" Amelia looked up sharply, disbelief flooding her expression. Her fingers loosened around the book as she stared, eyes shining, searching her daughter’s face as if to make sure she wasn’t imagining her.

Before Amelia could say another word, Alina crossed the room in quick, uneven steps and fell into her arms. She hugged her tightly, pressing her face into her mother’s shoulder, sobs spilling out after being held back for so long.

"I’m here... I’m here, Mom," Alina cried, her shoulders shaking. "I missed you so much."

Amelia wrapped her arms around her daughter, weak but desperate, holding her as close as she could. Her own eyes filled, tears sliding silently down her cheeks. "My baby... my Linaaa... you’ve grown so much," she whispered, her voice breaking as she stroked Alina’s hair again and again, like she was afraid she might disappear.

Dante stood quietly near the door, watching the reunion. He didn’t interrupt, didn’t step forward. He simply waited, witnessing the love between mother and daughter.

After a while, Alina pulled back just enough to look at her mother’s face, still holding her hands. "You’re really awake," she said through tears, laughing weakly at the same time. "You’re reading... Mom, you’re reading." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Amelia smiled softly, exhausted but real. "I wanted to... it felt like you’d come soon," she said. Then her gaze shifted past Alina, settling on the tall figure by the door. Her eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity, then widened.

"Lina," she said gently, "who is that?"

Alina inhaled shakily, wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and turned just enough to gesture toward him. Her heart pounded again, but this time it wasn’t fear. It was something warm and brave.

"Mom," she said softly, pride and tenderness lacing her voice, "this is Dante."

"Dante?" Amelia repeated softly, tasting his name like she wanted to remember it properly. Her eyes lifted to him again, and there it was, that same warmth Alina carried, the same gentle curiosity, only tempered by years of living and loving.

"Yes... Mom," Alina said, her voice small but brave, fingers curling into the edge of the bedsheet. "He is my boyfriend."

For a second, Amelia just stared.

Then her eyes lit up so brightly it almost startled Alina.

"Boyfriend?" she echoed, lifting a hand to cover her mouth in pure shock. "Oh my goodness." Her shoulders shook as a soft laugh escaped her, half disbelief, half joy. "Dante... come here, child."

Dante hesitated. Just for a heartbeat. Then he took a few careful steps forward, suddenly feeling taller than he ever had and yet oddly unsure of where to put his hands.

Amelia looked him up and down without shame, her eyes widening more with every inch. "Oh," she said slowly, lips parting, then she glanced at Alina with a grin. "Lina, you found yourself a very good-looking boyfriend."

Alina burst out laughing, her cheeks flushing pink. Seeing her mother like this, full of life, made something in her chest loosen at last.

Amelia had always been like this. No matter how hard life had been, no matter how tired or sick she felt, she never let the heaviness sit in front of her daughter. She joked, she smiled, she stayed warm for Alina’s sake.

Dante cleared his throat softly. "Hello," he said, unsure whether to bow, nod, or simply stand there and hope for the best.

Amelia’s eyes twinkled. She reached out without warning and gently tapped her head, fingers brushing over the small amount of hair on her own scalp. "You know," she said thoughtfully, blinking her lashes, "I can count how many hairs are left on my head without even looking in a mirror." Then she tilted her chin up at him, squinting. "But I don’t think I can measure your height without breaking my neck."

Alina laughed so hard she had to cover her mouth.

Dante froze for half a second. Then, to his own surprise, a smile spread across his face, slow and amused, softening his sharp features. "I... apologize for the inconvenience," he said seriously, though his eyes betrayed him.

Amelia chuckled, satisfied. "Good," she said warmly. "At least you have manners. Sit, sit. Don’t loom like a tower. You’re making my heart tired."

Dante stepped forward and settled on the edge of the bed.

Alina watched the scene with shining eyes, her heart full in a way she couldn’t explain. For the first time, the two most important parts of her life were in the same room, and instead of fear, there was laughter.

"What’s your job?" Amelia asked suddenly, her tone turning serious as she folded her hands over the blanket. "Don’t mind that I’m judging you," she added quickly, waving a hand as if brushing the word away. "I mean... I want to know. I know hardship, child. I don’t judge people by money or status."