Kane looked up at Aurelia with earnest eyes and asked, "Mom, if Uncle Arnold and Lisa got a divorce, would you marry Uncle Arnold? Then you would be my aunt-in-law, and at the stime, you're my mom, and William would be both my brother and my cousin. Things would get super complicated, right?" Aurelia pressed her hand against her forehead, feeling speechless.
Leopold felt like the thundering through his mind.
"She's my wife. How could she marry Arnold?" he said, trying to maintain scomposure.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtKane let out a sigh, "But you guys are divorced." "We'll get remarried," Leopold declared with unwavering certainty.
Aurelia shot him a sideways glance, "That's not a sure thing. There's an old saying that you can't step into the sriver twice. Why would | go back to you?" Leopold was speechless, "In front of Kane, is this the way to talk? So blunt and harsh?" Aurelia shrugged, "You cold-heartedly left me, and Kane saw it all. He'll understand if | don't remarry you." "Sure, | get it," Kane nodded sagely, "But, you know that to err is human, and to forgive is divine. If Dad can make things right, maybe you could give him another chance?" "We'll see," Aurelia said nonchalantly, her shoulders lifting in a shrug. She intended to be the sun that always kept out of Leopold's reach.
Leopold's mood instantly soured.
He thought Aurelia was entertaining thoughts of fluttering away with Arnold, leaving him behind.
"In life and in death, you're meant to be my woman. Not just in this lifetime, but in every life to come, you're destined to be my wife." "Yeah, right, Mr. Big Shot," Aurelia thought sarcastically, "If | had any choice, | definitely wouldn't pick a man who offers zero sense of security like you." Leopold felt a mix of gloom and irritation. In her eyes, he was a man with a past, a shadow that couldn't be shaken off.
"What makes you think | can't make you feel secure?" Aurelia laughed scornfully, "A man who could slap a divorce paper on my face at the drop of a hat can provide the security?" Leopold felt like she had hit him where it hurt most, "You really love bringing up old stuff, don't you?" "Yeah, I'm petty like that. So, you'd better not screw up around me, or I'll remember it for a lifetime." A nail in a pristine white wall left a hole that would always be there, never to be fully repaired. To keep the wall intact, one should never hammer a nail into it in the first place.
Kane sighed from the sidelines, "Mom and Dad always bicker when they are together, but she is all smiles and happiness around Uncle Arnold, never a cross word between them. No wonder Dad lost to Uncle Arnold. His character lacks the gentle touch and is way too domineering.
"Mom, I'm feeling sleepy. | want to go to bed," Kane interjected.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAurelia suddenly remembered Kane was still there, having been too caught up in her spat with Leopold.
Quickly adjusting her mood, she took his hand, "Let's go upstairs to your room, sweetie." "I'd like Dad to take me," Kane said, having something important to discuss with Leopold.
Leopold stood up, lifting Kane into his arms as they ascended the stairs, his face clouded with a touch of gloom.
Sooner or later, Aurelia would be the death of him, he thought bitterly.
Once in the room, Leopold set Kane down on the bed. Seeing the furrowed brow and displeased expression on his face, Kane let out a soft sigh.
"Dad, I'm worried you're going to lose to Uncle Arnold. Mom seems to like him better, and she never fights with Uncle Arnold." The words were like daggers to Leopold's heart, and he couldn't help but picture Aurelia, all coquettish smiles and tender glances, in Arnold's presence.