NovelEnglishKane lowered his gaze, muttering under his breath, “You and Mom have split up like a gazillion times. When | was born, she stormed out because of you.” He knew he had to be harsh, to lay it on thick, so Leopold could finally see the error of his ways.
Leopold was helpless, “That's because your mother got the wrong idea, okay?” Kane, dead serious, shot back, “How could she not? You clam up and never spill your guts. No wonder she gets the wrong idea.” Leopold's big issue was that he was about as good at sharing feelings as a brick wall. It was like asking for misunderstandings.
Leopold pinched Kane's cheek gently, “Are you criticizing me? | have my reasons for everything | do. You're too young to get it.
Maybe when you're older, you'll see things my way.” “] won't learn from your mistakes?” Kane retorted, “Why would | just repeat them?” In public, he'd stand by Leopold, chell or high water. But in private, it was tfor sreal talk.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLeopold choked up, looking for an escape, when Aurelia walked in, a godsend. He couldn't remember Kane ever grilling him like this before, and he was at a loss for words.
He reached out and wrapped an arm around Aurelia’s slim waist, “See, I'm not fighting with your mom. We're peachy.” Aurelia rolled her eyes and shrugged off his arm, taking Kane's hand instead, “Tto head home. You've got school tomorrow.” She led Kane out, not giving Leopold the tof day.
Leopold felt a headache. He had agreed to think things over. Was she still mad? But Aurelia’s beef wasn’t about which side he took or wanting him whipped. It was that he never even tried to see things from her perspective or cared about her feelings.
In the living room, Arnold arrived to pick up William.
“Daddy!” William leaped off the couch and into his arms.
“Let's hit the road, champ,” Arnold said, lifting William.
“Yep,” William nodded.
Aurelia entered, giving Arnold a warm smile, “Weren't you tied up with a dinner party tonight? That was quick.” Her smile, in Leopold's eyes, was a punch to the gut.
Arnold shrugged, replying, “Just a quick bite with pals. Didn't take long.” William said, “Mommy, cover for dinner tomorrow. Daddy's making your fave cheesy lobster feast.” “Sure,” Aurelia nodded, her smile bright.
William grinned cheekily, throwing a triumphant glance at Leopold.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe blamed Leopold for everything. If he hadn't been such a mess back then, Aurelia wouldn't have been kidnapped while searching for him, getting hurt in the process.
It was Arnold who saved them both. Arnold was the best man in the world, and Leopold couldn't hold a candle to him.
Leopold felt like his world was being robbed from under him.
“Your mom can’t make it tomorrow. We have plans.” Aurelia internally snorted, “Plans? Since when?” Then she replied, “No biggie, cancel them. I'm joining William for dinner. Kane probably wants to, too. Arnold's cooking is the bomb.” Leopold's face fell. She was clearly throwing shade, not even pretending to let him save face.
Aurelia was putting on a show, partly out of genuine annoyance and partly for Jelena’s sake. She showed that she had fought tooth and nail with Leopold over Jelena’s issue. She had tried her best, and if Leopold still played hardball at the family meeting, no one could blher.
“See you tomorrow,” Arnold said with a tender smile, taking William and leaving.
“It's twe hit the road too,” Saying so, Leopold scooped up Kane, his face stormy, and they all left the house.
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