William lifted his hand, patting her shoulder with the wisdom of someone beyond his young years. "Mommy, since you and Uncle Leopold got back together, Arnold has been really down. He's part of the heartbreak club now, and he needsmore than ever. If | leave him, he won't make it. Let him get over losing you, then I'll be cool with getting to know Uncle Leopold." His words lodged in Aurelia's throat like a dry turkey bone on Thanksgiving, impossible to swallow or spit out. She was at a loss for words.
"Alright, we'll wait a bit longer. Next year, at our wedding, we'll announce who you really are." William bounded down the stairs, and out into the yard to join Skyler and the other kids in play.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFrom the bay window in the living room, Leopold stared out, lost in thought as he watched them.
Deep down, he struggled with the fact that his Liam had becArnold's son, but he was back. That was better than losing him forever.
Jessica sauntered over. "Skyler is like the Pied Piper with those kids. Look at them having a blast. | was worried Nina and Mira would have a tough tadjusting, might even cry for Sheryl, but they're doing great, which is a load off my mind." Leopold replied coolly, "Sheryl's all about shopping sprees and bingo nights. The nanny usually takes care of them at home, so it's not a big change for the girls." Jessica's gaze settled on William. "William is a real rascal, naughtier than Kane, always cooking up schemes, just like Arnold." Leopold raised an eyebrow slightly. "I think he takes after Aurelia more." Smart as a whip, quirky, with a mind full of clever tricks.
Jessica clapped her son on the shoulder. "You're okay with William being around?" Leopold darkened his eyes subtly, as if touched by the dusk. "Do you believe in reincarnation?" Jessica let out a soft chuckle. "If reincarnation is real, it wouldn't be such a bad thing. It means we don't simply vanish after we die, right?" Leopold's voice dropped lower. "If you didn't look at their faces, William and Kane could pass for twins." A fleeting shadow crossed Jessica's eyes, a trace of something profound and unsaid.
"Don't you think William is Liam's reincarnation, do you?" "It would be nice if it were." Leopold said gloomily because he never believed in ghosts and gods. But this time, he would rather believe it was true.
Jessica frowned slightly. "Aurelia told you that?" Leopold didn't answer, and his eyes fell on the yard again.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmJessica flashed her dark eyes faintly in the light, which made her look very inscrutable.
After a moment, she whispered, "What if you did a paternity test with William on the down low?" Leopold stiffened. "If he's Liam's reincarnation, he's not Liam. He looks so much like Arnold, what's the point of a test?" Jessica fell silent, then spoke softly, "I heard William was premature, born at seven months. Aurelia was still recovering from her injury when she got pregnant, right?" A look of melancholy crept over Leopold's face.
He could imagine her despair at that time. She must have thought he had abandoned her, turning to Arnold as her sole support.
"It's my fault. If | hadn't asked for a divorce when she was at her lowest, she wouldn't have left the country to save Liam and ended up in danger." Jessica sighed. "Couples need to communicate more. Misunderstandings lead to a lifetof regrets. But at least your paths crossed again. If they hadn't, you might still believe she was gone." Leopold clenched his heart.
If he hadn't bumped into her in Hawaii by sheer chance, with Aurelia’s stubborn nature, she would never have returned to Elysium.