NovelEnglishWilliam shrugged nonchalantly, “Mom, | have my dad, Uncle Leopold will always just be my uncle. If he's as cool as a real uncle, that’s cool with me.” Aurelia felt torn. She wanted to respect her son’s wishes and be considerate of Arnold's feelings, but she couldn't keep the truth from Leopold forever.
Leopold was just too innocent and too pitiful.
When the beans were spilled, would he be so ticked off he would keel over? Even if he didn’t drop dead on the spot, he would surely give her the cold shoulder for weeks on end, maybe even lock her in a freezer till she’s half a popsicle.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMusing over it, she couldn't help but shiver.
Leopold, oblivious to her turmoil, was lost in his thoughts.
Could William really be the reincarnation of Liam? Was this his way to spite Leopold for not protecting him better by choosing to be Arnold's son? His heart twisted painfully at the thought.
After dinner, Aurelia called William aside for a chat.
“Honey, about your dad, | need to talk to you again,” she said seriously.
William caught on that she meant Uncle Leopold, not Arnold.
“Mom, you're not gonna try to makecall Uncle Leopold my dad, are you? | thought we agreed and you wouldn't push me.” Aurelia stroked his hair with a solemn look, “You are Leopold's son, and that’s a fact we can’t change. Sooner or later, you'll have to take your rightful place. | believe Arnold has prepared himself for that.” William pouted, “If | acknowledge him, can | still call him Uncle Leopold? Can | still hang with Arnold like before? Will my life still be the same?” Aurelia fell silent at his barrage of questions.
She had no clue how Leopold would react.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLeopold was known for his temper. He might just get so mad that he would forbid William from seeing Arnold again.
While she was silent, William spoke up again, “Even though Uncle Leopold is my dad, I've never met him since | was born. It was Arnold who saved my life and taughtto talk, walk, play baseball... Leopold is my real dad. Mom, shouldn't | be grateful to those who raise me?” Aurelia was speechless for a moment, “If Uncle Leopold knew you were Liam, he’d love you just like Arnold does. Wouldn't it be nice to have one more person to love you?” “Uncle Leopold is nothing like Arnold. Arnold knew | wasn’t his kid, just his nephew, but he treatedlike his own, always so kind.
Could Uncle Leopold do that? If | accidentally said something to annoy him, he'd get mad, but Arnold never gets mad at me.” Aurelia felt frustrated.
“Are you mad at him for not protecting you and for letting the bad guys take you?” William dropped his eyes and remained silent.
Aurelia wrapped her arms around his small shoulders, “When you were born, Leopold wasn’t in Elysium. He had to go abroad and wantedto stay in the hospital as the due date approached to ensure our safety, but | refused. That's how we were ambushed.” William pouted, “If he was right, if you hadn't argued, then why didn’t you go back to Elysium and live with Arnold in Goldstone?” Aurelia caressed his cheek, “That's because there were smisunderstandings between us. | was hurt, that’s why | didn't go back.” William looked up at her, unwavering his gaze, “Mom, between dad and Uncle Leopold, you like Uncle Leopold more, right?” Aurelia spoke softly, “Arnold is my best friend, our lifesaver, and Leopold is my husband. My feelings for them are different. You're too young to understand now, but you will when you're older.”
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