Neither M nor her son quite processed what had just happened.
It took a while for M to snap back to reality, feeling a weight lift off her chest. So Parker wasn''t seriously hurt after all.
That was a relief.
If Parker truly had been badly injured, exining things would have be a nightmare.
Still... even with bodyguards around, was it really safe to leave a child alone in the hospital? Did men always look after kids in such a careless way?
With a slight frown, M took Adrian by the hand and led him to the next room. Just then, the doctor stepped out, and she took the opportunity to ask about Parker''s condition. Only when she was assured it was just a few bruises and scrapes did she finally let out a sigh of relief.
As soon as they entered, Parker-cradled in a bodyguard''s arms-shot them a furious re. Adrian immediately rolled his eyes, spat a "pffft," and turned to march right back out the door.
Apologize? No way!
He wasn''t in the wrong!
That brat totally deserved it!
But the moment Adrian spun on his heel, M grabbed him by the arm, holding him in ce. Under her pointed gaze, he dragged out a reluctant, "I''m so-rr-y for hitting you... Ow, Mom! I said it! Why are you twisting my ear? That hurts!"
M pinched his ear gently, exasperation clear in her voice. "Can''t you apologize like a normal person?"
Before Adrian could protest any further, Parker exploded. He snatched the bag of medicine from the bodyguard and hurled it at them. "Get out!"
Instinctively, M shielded her son.
The medicine bag thumped against her arm and tumbled to the floor.
Adrian was momentarily stunned, his face darkening, ready to lunge at Parker and teach him a lesson. But M held him back with an iron grip. The two bodyguards quickly scooped up the medicine, murmured apologies to M, and rushed Parker out of the room.
Adrian was still fuming.
"Mom, why''d you stop me? You saw what he did. He had iting!"
"Adrian!"
M''s voice turned cold. "What did I just say to you?"
Adrian deted, mumbling, "Don''t solve problems with violence..."
M let out a weary sigh, crouched down, and pulled her son into a gentle hug, patting his back and speaking softly.
"Adrian, I need you to remember: violence is always ast resort. It never truly solves anything. It only makes things moreplicated, and people get hurt- sometimes you, sometimes someone else. This time it was just a few scrapes, but what if something really bad happened? What would I do then? Next time, when something happens,e to me or find an adult. Promise me, okay?"
Adrian wanted to protest. Great-grandpa and Uncle had taught him how to make a fight look dramatic without really hurting anyone-some tricks wouldn''t even leave a mark. He hadn''t quite mastered them yet, and besides, his ssmates were all so weak, none of them could take him on.
But in the end, he said nothing. He nestled closer into his mother''s arms, soaking up the rare moment of her undivided attention.
Even if he''d lost a tooth, it was worth it.
He loved the way she looked at him, eyes full of worry-because in those
moments, he felt certain he was her most precious treasure. Just like Dad always said... he was her one and only, the one she''d always love.
He was the only one.
...
That night,
M dropped Adrian off at his great-grandfather''s house. After exining what had happened, the old man didn''t seem particrly upset. He simply kept the boy in the study and suggested M stay in the country for a few more days.
Given what Adrian had just been through, M was worried too, so she agreed. Now she just had to figure out how to exin things to her great-aunt.
Jade Suthend was definitely going to be angry.
Bracing herself, M called Jade. She didn''t dare mention the fight-her great-aunt already had a low opinion of Adrian, and if she found out about this, she''d never let M stay in the country any longer. But to M''s surprise, when she said she needed to stay a few more days, Jade didn''t sound angry at all. In fact, she sounded delighted.
After a little more conversation, M started to realize what was really going on.
She fell silent.
"In any case, it''s settled," her
great-aunt dered. "I''ve met the
young man-he''s the grandson of my dear friend. Comes from a good family good looks, excellent
character-the whole package. He''s a little younger than you, but that''s hardly an issue, and he''s nning to settle in Ennd. Didn''t you say you''d move back to Ennd after you finished things up at home? It''s time to find someone who wants to live in Ennd too."
"Don''t tell me it''s impossible. What, are you nning to mourn that dead man forever? For someone like him?"
"If you can''te back, it''s fine. He''ll be arriving in the country soon anyway.
Make sure you meet him—properly! He''s my best friend''s grandson."
By the time M hung up, she hadn''t gotten a single word in.
She understood Jade''s intentions. Even though she''d never said
outright why M returned home,
Jade knew it was because of th
?
Montgomery family mess. Now she
was pushing M to meet someone
new, probably out of fear M might
?
change her mind if she stayed too
long. Not that that was ever going to happen.
But Jade never believed her.
Most likely, though, Jade just wanted someone to keep Mpany, so she wouldn''t be alone.
But with so many things weighing on her mind, M really didn''t have the energy to think about starting over.
Still, she''d meet the guy. After all, he was Jade''s friend''s grandson. Maybe he already knew she had a child; maybe, once he found out, he''d lose interest. Exhausted, M shook her head and headed for the kitchen. She''d make some nourishing soup for Adrian.
...
The study was silent.
After M left, the warmth faded from the old man''s face. He nced coldly at Leonard, then turned to the boy standing at the door and called out sternly,
"Come here."
The tenderness Adrian had shown with his mother vanished. He walked over obediently and gave a quiet greeting.
"Great-grandpa."