Chapter 1275
Chapter 1275
Leopold remained silent for what felt like an eternity, the air around him seemingly frozen solid.
Aurelia said, "I know you're furious, and you must be blaming me. I wanted to tell you the truth, but
William wouldn't have it, and I couldn't force him. After all, we're the ones who caused all this mess. I
didn't want to hurt him all over again."
"He's alive. That's good enough," Leopold muttered, heading to the kitchen to boil some stew, ending
the conversation there and then.
Aurelia followed him, wrapping her arms around him from behind, "I've been faithful, true as steel, for
you and only you. Shouldn't you be happy about that?"
He couldn't help but give a wry smile. "Isn't this what they say, 'a blessing in disguise', or 'every cloud
has a silver lining'?"
"Let me handle the stew," Aurelia offered, "Go check on William. I bet he's upstairs crying his eyes out.
Spend some quality time with him."
Leopold ascended the stairs.
William was once again packing his little suitcase, ready to make a dash for Arnold's place.
Leopold scooped him up in his arms and plopped him down on the couch.
"No matter where you run off to, you're my son."
"I've got my own daddy," William hiccuped through tears.
"Arnold will have his own kids one day," Leopold pointed out.
William's head sank. Maybe Arnold wouldn't love him as much if he had his own child.
"But I love my daddy the most. I wanna be with him."
Leopold stroked his hair, "Don't worry, and your life won't change. I'm not some unreasonable tyrant."
William blinked in surprise. When had Leopold become so understanding?
"You better not be lying to a kid." William pouted.
"I never lie to children."
"Pinky promise?" William extended his little finger, and Leopold hooked it with his own, "Deal."
William felt relieved. Maybe Leopold wasn't as scary as he had imagined.
Leopold pinched his cheek gently, "Take off the mask."
Hesitantly, William removed the mask. His face was the spitting image of Kane's.
"I'll only take it off for a bit. I don't want to go without it just yet."
"As you wish. Whenever you're ready to be Liam, you come back on your own," Leopold knew that
pushing him would only backfire and strain their relationship even further.
William sniffled, not expecting Leopold to be so reasonable. Had he misunderstood him all this time?
"Thank you, Uncle Leopold."
"I'm just glad you're still here, honey."
"Then can you remove that family shrine placement for me?" William asked, all serious.
After Leopold left, William went to find Kane and shared the news.
"I told you, you're overthinking it. Dad's not unreasonable."
William shrugged, "Maybe it's because he and Mom are having more kids. Maybe it doesn't matter
whether I come back or not."
William pulled a face, "Actually, it's nice not having secrets anymore. Suddenly, everything feels lighter,
no more scares."
"Exactly," Kane nodded, "I was terrified every day, scared that Dad would find out your secret."