NovelEnglishAfter Henry left, Aurelia descended the stairs from the upper floor.
In truth, Leopold's proposed amendments were quite mild, and Henry probably couldn't find much to object to.
The older generation often clung to tradition, preferring the comfort of routine and resisting change, so his opposition to altering the family charter was to be expected.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"So did Uncle Henry agree?" she asked.
"lI don't know," Leopold said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Don't worry, whatever changes | want to make will happen.” Jessica rose and headed for the kitchen.
William cbounding down the stairs, full of youthful energy. Today, his dad Arnold was going to be late, so he cover to the Stirling Mansion for dinner. Arnold would pick him up later in the evening.
"Uncle Leopold, are you changing the family charter to put legitimate children before the others? It's not because of me, is it?" William teased.
Aurelia choked on her tea, nearly spraying it out in surprise. "William, what nonsense are you spouting?" William gave a mischievous laugh, "Just asking. Uncle Leopold is never fond of me, right?" Leopold was a bit flustered by William's cunning. "I don't dislike you. | just expect a certain respect from you." William looked at him earnestly. "When have | ever disrespected you? | just don't want you to be my stepdad, that's all. | have my dad, and | don't need another." Aurelia's world seemed to swirl around her as she ruffled his hair affectionately. "William, you should understand your place. One day, you'll have to return to it." Only she and William understood the cryptic conversation.
William pouted. He knew his mom wanted him to accept Uncle Leopold and to reclaim his position as his son.
But he didn't want to go back to that place. Being Leopold's son wasn't appealing at all. He only loved Arnold.
"Mommy, Arnold is the best dad in the world, not Uncle Leopold. He couldn't even protect his second son." That statement struck a nerve in Leopold, twisting a knife in his heart. Liam was his taboo, his line in the sand.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"You're too insolent. Don't think | won't punish you just because you're a child. Go upstairs and do your homework now and stay out of adult matters." William's cheeks puffed out in defiance. "So harsh, not gentle at all. My dad is way gentler than you." With that, he stomped upstairs.
Leopold poured himself a cup of tea, a shadow of sorrow crossing his face.
"Who told him about Liam?" he asked.
Aurelia shrugged nonchalantly. William was Liam. How could he not know his own story? "It's no secret. He spends a lot of twith Kane. | guess Kane must've told him. Kids say whatever comes to mind without much thought. Don't take it to heart." Leopold took a small sip of his tea, his voice laden with melancholy. "Do you... ever think about Liam?" Aurelia patted his shoulder reassuringly. "It's all in the past. I've moved on. Maybe that child just wasn't meant to be with you.
Right now, I'm set on having a daughter. | should look up sold tales on how to conceive a girl so | don't accidentally have another boy." She deliberately kept her tone light, not wanting him to sink into sorrow. His grief only fed her guilt.
Leopold sighed wistfully. "Having another son wouldn't be so bad. Maybe it would be Liam coming back to us." Aurelia made a playful face. "I still want a daughter. If | have another son, doesn't that mean I'd have to try for a third? I'm not planning on having three children." Leopold remained lost in his thoughts of Liam and didn't respond.
Just then, Jessica emerged from the kitchen, having overheard their conversation. A fleeting and indescribable shadow crossed her eyes
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