Chapter 210 The Feeling of Heartache
As Elias listened to his son’s words, his chest tightened as if a hand reached into his chest and gripped his heart, causing aching pain.
It turned out that Aiden had suffered so much grievance in kindergarten. But at that time, he didn’t know anything and couldn’t do anything.
This little guy must’ve been very disappointed in me, his birth father, in many moments, huh? No wonder he doesn’t want a father and thinks a father is useless…
At that, Elias’ eyes turned red-rimmed with oncoming tears. He lowered his head slightly and let out a sigh, his eyes filled with aching tenderness.
“I’m sorry. I promise such things will never happen again. Please forgive me for only showing up now, for missing your life for the past four years. I really… I really didn’t mean it.” He sincerely repented to a three- year-old.
Even though Aiden was just a child, it didn’t mean he should be brushed off casually. One shouldn’t think a child could be easily fooled and that their feelings didn’t matter. Elias could genuinely sense the trauma he had toward his birth father, and he believed the little guy had likely heard even nastier words in school; he just didn’t bring them up.
Just how useless am I to let Aiden suffer such humiliation in school, to let him be blatantly called a b*stard?! Elias mused. If only I had been curious enough to learn about Amanda’s situation and searched for her whereabouts seriously, I would’ve learned about Aiden one way or the other. But… I didn’t…
Aiden gazed with wide eyes at Elias’ sincere expression and contemplated for a long while before finally saying, “Hmm… okay then. I’ll believe you for now, but now, I’m hungry. I want to eat.”
With that, the little munchkin returned to his food. Meals were no joking matter to him, and Amanda never had to worry when it came to eating. He was always a well-behaved child who ate his meals without any fuss.
A chuckle escaped Elias as he picked up his cutleries. But instead of eating, he grabbed some shrimp and placed them on the plate. With patience, he peeled the shrimp and then fed them to Aiden, who graciously opened wide and ate them all.
The dinner ended up quite pleasant. After finishing their meal, Elias spent some time playing with Aiden, Although there was still a hint of awkwardness between father and son, it was much better than before. It was definitely an improvement over their previous avoidance.
Later, Elias received a phone call that required his immediate attention. It seemed to be an important matter. So, Amanda escorted him downstairs, taking advantage of the moonlit night for a leisurely stroll.
Under the moonlit sky, the silhouette of this handsome couple walked without uttering a word, their backs -resembling a beautiful oil painting.
Finally, Elias broke the silence. “Are you still planning to go abroad? Do you want to take Aiden with you?”
Amanda was taken aback. What is he trying to say?
“Well.. Now that Grandpa has passed, no one can control us anymore,” he continued. “If you really want to live abroad, I won’t stop you. After hearing what Aiden said about the mistreatment he endured at
kindergarten, I agree that a change of environment would make him feel better.”
He paused for a moment when he mentioned ‘Grandpa. It was an address he never wanted to bring up again.
Now, the Winters Family was under his control. No one could oppose him anymore. Hence, if Amanda wanted to leave now, no one would stop her either.
Amanda’s heart skipped a beat. Why did Elias suddenly change so quickly? Before, he was desperate to keep me from leaving, wanting to keep Aiden and me in Cludan, but now he’s voluntarily suggesting that we go abroad.
“Do you think we’re a bother?” She couldn’t help asking. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t upset. After all, it sounded like Elias was chasing her away.
Stumped that Amanda would react that way, Elias explained solemnly, “No, of course, I want you and Aiden to stay. That way, I can see Aiden whenever I want. But I also respect your wishes. If you’re not happy staying here, there’s no need to force it.”
Aiden grew up abroad, so he naturally wasn’t accustomed to the lifestyle in Cludan.
As for Amanda… being constantly criticized and labeled as a jinx or a murderer, she wouldn’t be happy staying either. Besides, she didn’t have anyone here worth staying for.
Elias knew he didn’t mean much to Amanda. She wouldn’t stay for him.
Meanwhile, Amanda fixed her gaze on Elias for a long while. Elias had changed; she thought so but couldn’t tell what exactly.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Hmm, let me know when you’ve made up your mind. If you want to go abroad. I’ll sort everything out for you. If you decide to stay, I’ll sort everything out for you too.”
With that, Elias walked toward his car, saying, “Go on, go back upstairs. It’s getting late. Rest early.”
Amanda watched helplessly as the man got into the car and slowly disappeared into the night until even the taillights were no longer visible.
She tried every possible way to escape when she was held back, but now that no one was stopping her anymore, and even Elias had respected her wishes, she suddenly felt reluctant to leave.
She slowly lifted her head, gazing at the night sky, the bright moonlight, and the few scattered stars twinkling.
To go or to stay…
She closed her eyes slowly and sensed a slight pang in her heart.
She didn’t know why she felt this heartache or what exactly was causing it.
Inside the car, Elias looked impatiently at his vibrating phone. It was a call from Jack.
He really didn’t want to answer the call, for he was certain it was about Stephanie. However, he had to pick up the call if he wanted Jack’s assistance in retrieving Anna’s shares.
With that, he pulled over to the side of the road and grabbed his phone, which had been vibrating incessantly as if it was waiting for him to answer, staring at it for a long time.
Finally, he swiped the screen and put it to his ear. “Mr. Allegra, what’s the matter?”
Jack’s voice came from the other end of the phone. “Elias, hurry and stop Stephanie. That girl is really acting recklessly. She said if I force her to marry you, she’ll elope with Crispin Coyote. She even said she would give herself to him tonight. Quickly go and stop her! We can’t let her do something foolish!”
Exasperation was written all over Elias’ face, but he held back as much frustration as he could as he leaned. back in his seat. “How do you expect me to stop her, Mr. Allegra? If your daughter truly loves that man, I’m willing to let them be.”
“Yeah, right, true love! Do you think I don’t know what that slumdog wants?! Stephanie is still young and naive. I must protect her interests now, or she will regret it in the years to come. Elias, you go and stop her. The engagement ceremony next month will proceed as planned, and you two will get married at the end of the year. After your marriage, our plan will be set in motion.”
Beep Beep
Elias’ face tensed up as the call disconnected. This sly old for sure has some tricks up his sleeves. Sounds like he’ll only help me retrieve Aunt Anna’s shares after I marry his daughter.
She sprinted down the stairs but suddenly remembered her pregnancy and slowed down. Clutching the test strip in her hand, she wondered what Elias Winters' reaction would be once he heard the news.
Yet, when Amanda was halfway down the stairs, she saw two figures in the living room—Elias and a sexy woman. Slowing down her steps, she held the handrail tightly and felt her heart sink. That was because she saw her husband and the woman behaving affectionately as though they were a smitten couple.
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