Although Arthur North and Finn Clark hesitated for a while, they eventually gave the letter to Charles Amos after he had breakfast for more than an hour.
In the morning, Charles woke up and did not see Wilton Edwards. He had already looked around and asked where Wilton had gone.
However, Elina Clark and Natalie Wayne didnât know how to explain it to him for the time being, so they vaguely told him that Wilton seemed to be busy outside.
Charles felt that something was wrong.
Maybe since he woke up from his nap yesterday afternoon, he felt that something was off about Wilton.
After finishing breakfast with doubts, he played the piano for a while. Arthur North and Finn Clark then handed him the letter.
Wiltonâs letter didnât say much, only that: [Young Master has grown up. Itâs time for Grandpa Edwards to do his own thing. Thereâs another grandfather who needs Grandpa Edwardsâ care, so he wonât accompany the Young Master anymore.]
It was just a simple sentence.
After reading the letter, Charles stared at the two people in front of him with bewildered eyes.
Arthur North and Finn Clark looked back at him, and neither of them spoke.
The three of them stayed silent for a while, and Charles holding the letter, asked them: âWhat does Wilton mean? Who is the other grandfather?â
Finn didnât say anything.
Arthur replied softly, âYou donât know him.â
âCanât he be brought to the Imperial Capital for care?â Charles asked again.
This time Arthur didnât speak, but tacitly agreed that it was not possible.
âSo⦠Wilton wonât come back anymore?â Charles asked, his eyes reddening, and his voice becoming hoarse.
âYes,â Finn replied.
âWhy?â After asking, Charles felt they wouldnât answer, so he immediately asked another question, âDoes my mom know?â
Arthur nodded, âYes.â
Charles tilted his face up, and when he heard these two words, tears fell from his eyes.
He quickly raised his hand to wipe them, and then lowered his head trying to hold back the tears.
However, it wasnât very successful. His little body was trembling, and he let out a faint sob.
Finnâs eyes twitched, âCharles.â
âIâm fine,â Charles choked, âIâll be okay in a while.â
Finn frowned in sympathy.
Arthur patted Charlesâ head, âItâs okay to cry if youâre upset.â
Charles wiped his eyes again and shook his little head, âIâve grown up.â
Arthur squatted in front of him, looked into his eyes, and said, âCharles, we all go through departures. We canât change that, nor can we help it. It has nothing to do with growing up. So you can cry, itâs not shameful.â
Finn looked down at Arthur, and the hand hanging by his side curled slightly.
When he left back then, was his younger brother like this too?
Charles shook his head and stopped talking. He turned around and walked upstairs.
Finn looked at Charlesâ small figure and said, âLet him be on his own for a while.â
Arthur stood up and sighed softly, âTime flies so fast. Heâs grown up, and in a few years, we may not be able to bully him anymore.â
After he finished speaking, Arthur looked at Finn, who was staring back at him, and said, âWhatâs wrong? Are you thinking about how I grew up too?â
Finn nodded, âYes, youâve become a father. And youâre really embracing the role. In the past, I couldnât even imagine this.â
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
He couldnât imagine it either.
In the past, he wouldnât have been involved in such matters. First, he wouldnât have come. Second, if he had come, he would have just dropped off the letter and left.
Comforting a child was something he would never have done.
Life is truly unpredictable.
When are you going to have a child with Lila Campbell?â Finn suddenly asked.
âWhat, are you afraid that Iâll steal your childâs spotlight?â Arthur walked out with him.
âA little.â
âBear with it,â Arthur said. âIâll leave it to you. Iâm going to the Research Institute.â
â¦
Charles was down all day, no matter who tried to comfort him, he would just say he was fine and not cry again.
However, since he was still young and couldnât hide his emotions, he even ate less.
It wasnât until Charlotte Lane returned in the afternoon.
As soon as he saw her, Charlesâ mouth twitched, and his tears fell like a broken dam.
His small shoulders shook with each sob.
Elina Clark, Natalie Wayne, and Finn Clark stood not far away, watching his sudden emotional breakdown.
Finn, unsure of what to do, said, âThisâ¦â
âHeâs just closer to Lila,â Elina responded.
âOf course,â chimed in Natalie Wayne.
Charlotte was still a distance away when she saw Charles crying. As she approached, there was no sign of hurry in her steps. She watched him cry, getting closer step by step, like an ice-cold, heartless person.
But when she finally reached him, she squatted down.
Charles immediately hugged her neck, buried his face in her shoulder, and sobbed.
Arthur stood behind Charlotte, watching the two of them.
Charlotte didnât say anything, she just let Charles hold her and cry. Until Charles had cried enough, his voice softened, and he buried his head inside her shoulder and whispered, âCan I still see Grandpa Edwards in the future?â
âI heard youâve grown up,â Charlotte didnât answer him, instead saying, âYou said you wouldnât cry.â
Charles had soaked her shoulder with tears. He moved and buried his face in her other shoulder, âIâm already like this, and youâre still making fun of me.â
âYouâre like this, and I canât even make fun of you?â Charlotte said, âIsnât this just giving me a chance to mock you?â
Arthur chuckled.
Charles fell silent, ââ¦â¦.â
Seeing that he didnât speak, Charlotte finally answered his previous question, âIf you want to see him, you can go see him.â
âReally?â Charles asked softly.
âYes,â Charlotte confirmed.
âWhat about you?â Charles asked again.
âI wonât go,â Charlotte replied. âCharles, what happens between us adults wonât affect you, so you donât have to worry about anything. Right now, youâre little. If you want to do something, you need to tell me or someone else at home and let them take you there. When you grow up, where you want to go or who you want to see will be up to you. You donât need to tell me anymore.â
Charles held onto her and was silent for a while, but he finally voiced his inner thoughts, âBut I wonât be able to see Wilton every day.â
âYes,â Charlotte replied. âSo you should learn to accept it. No one can be with you every day. Youâre growing up, and even if we wanted to see you every day, we wouldnât be able to. Of course, that situation doesnât exist, because I donât want to see you every day.â
Arthur patted Charlotteâs head as he stood behind her.
Charles did not say anything, but just held onto her a little tighter.
Charlotte let him hold her for a while and then said, âGet up; my leg is numb.â
It was only then that Charles let her go, his eyes and nose red from crying.
Arthur helped Charlotte up.
Seeing Charlesâ pitiful expression, Charlotte suddenly said, âYour snot is all over my clothes. You should at least pay for one.â
Charles pursed his lips, now even more heartbroken.