NovelEnglishWatching the angel-faced toddler in front of me, it hitthat my previous fuss over him correcting how he addressedwas utterly unnecessary, and quite frankly, I might have even complicated things. Especially considering the relation within the Taylor family, when little Ike first called"sis," he wasn't off the mark.
By relation, I was indeed his cousin. Realizing this, I couldn't help but find the mix of humor and irony in the situation.
Ike, a true social butterfly even at his young age, looked up at Bella with those big, charming eyes and called out, "Auntie Bella!" "Hey there." Bella responded, patting his head gently. Once Ike scampered off to the playroom, she turned to me, "You know, despite the kid having the last nTaylor, he sure takes after you - both in looks and in that charming personality." What she meant was, the Taylors, or more specifically, Herbert Taylor, were not exactly the most pleasant bunch.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEdith wasn't the least bit offended. If anything, she felt like she found a kindred spirit, "You got that right, Bella! Herbert's demeanor is as outdated as a relic from the Victorian era. Can you imagine if Ike ended up like him? I shudder at the thought!" Bella chuckled, clearly familiar with the Taylor family saga, teasingly asking, "So, does this mean you're considering a reunion with him?" "Not in a million years!" My response was firm, perhaps even a bit heated as I thought about it, "Being with him felt like being in a cage, always doubted, always questioned." "In what way did he doubt you?" Bella inquired, curious.
"Well..." Edith, a grown woman, awkwardly touching her nose, “Like, whenever he was working in his study and I'd bring him a snack, he'd quickly stash away any documents he was working on. I know I shouldn't meddle in his work, but it's not a great feeling, being treated like you're about to betray your own family's secrets." It was a woman-to-woman moment; I instantly got her point.
There's a certain discomfort in being guarded against by your own partner, regardless of the reason.
On the flip side, Gregory was the complete opposite.
Lately, he'd often bring his work over to my place, taking over my desk and mixing his documents with my manuscripts.
I've told him multiple times to keep our stuff separate, worrying I might stumble upon something confidential. And he'd just look at me, all casual like, "If I've given you my heart, what secrets can't I share with you?" But I knew Herbert's situation and temperament were worlds apart from Gregory's.
Bella poureda cup of tea, "Is this why you left him?" "Not solely, but it was part of the reason," Edith admitted.
"That's fair," Bella said, raising an eyebrow, "His upbringing was tough. Not many could have done better in his shoes." "Tough?" Edith frowned.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Yes." Bella nodded, a hint of sadness in her voice, "He was the late blessing to our parents, who doted on him yet burdened him with high expectations from a very young age. He barely had a childhood, growing up under stringent demands." "He carries the weight of the Taylor family's legacy, always calculating his every move, allowing no room for error." Both Edith and I paused, absorbing this new insight.
Herbert had never shared these details with Edith, leaving her puzzled. “He never mentioned any of this to me.” Then, realizing something, she looked d at Bella, surprised, "Bella, why | are you defending him? I thought you didn't like him."
She smiled softly, "He was the only one in the Taylor family who stood up forwhen times were tough." "What happened...?" She began, but then hesitated, recognizing the boundaries of their acquaintance.
Changing the subject, she asked about the day Herbert showed up at Cloud Villas "Why didn't you let him in?" Bella was straightforward. "Getting too close to him only brings trouble." Edith laughed, "If Herbert knew you were looking out for him, he'd be thrilled." Then, suddenly realizing she might be intruding, she looked at Bella, a
bit embarrassed, "Bella, did you chere to discuss a dress fitting with Jane? hope I'm not interrupting."
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