“I have freedom. I don’t need to report everything to you, Mr. Fontaine.”“I told you that no matter where you take the children, you must first report to me. It isn’t a matter of your freedom but the safety of the future generation of the Fontaine family.”Xavier stood to the side and watched the two gamble on who would take a step back first. It was clear at a glance that they were sulking and quarreling.“Thaddeus, can’t you speak to your wife in a better tone? There’s no shame in a man compromising for his wife.”Xavier always stood on Mona’s side to defend her regardless of who was right or wrong. This time was no exception.“Grandpa, this is my family’s business. My wife and I will solve our problems ourselves. There’s no need for an outsider to interfere.”Thaddeus spoke to Xavier with an expressionless face and pulled Mona to leave.Xavier froze, looking at his grandson as if he were a stranger.In his memory, this young couple in front of him quarreled several times, b
Thaddeus stood in front of Xavier, a little stunned by the latter’s yell.Only then did he start to face this old man in a serious manner. This grandfather made him feel very strange.In his memory, when he was a child and his father abandoned his wife, Thaddeus spent most of his time living with his mother at Fontaine Residence. Every month, his mother would bring him to the old residence to visit his grandfather, who was a very legendary and capable man. Xavier had brilliant achievements in the business world and was a figure Thaddeus admired and respected.Then, he developed dissociative identity disorder due to the extreme pain and torture he suffered, and was helpless to take care of anything else. In the past few years that his second personality occupied the body, many things became thin and unimportant to him, and even his feelings for his grandfather faded a lot.“Grandpa.” Thaddeus opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.Xavier stomped on Thaddeus’ leg hard, causing t
Xavier was the most sensible person in the family, as well as the last person who wanted to see this happen. Thaddeus’ actions made him extremely disappointed.“Grandpa, this matter is very complicated. I can’t explain it at the moment, but I’ll definitely handle it. Please rest assured.”“Your wife already brought her children to live in my house. If this is what you mean by handling it, I’d be senile to believe you!”Thaddeus frowned. He did not like hearing his grandfather’s words.“Mona is staying here because you asked her to. I came here to pick up my wife and children. I told you that this is a matter between me and Mona. I hope you won’t interfere too much, Grandpa.”Xavier was instantly displeased.“So, are you blaming me for adding to your troubles?”“You can say that. I don’t want you to get involved. It’ll only make things more chaotic.”While Xavier really cared about Mona and the two children, it was easy for that concern to cause chaos. Problems could not be solv
Thaddeus saw how tough Xavier’s attitude was. He knew it was impossible to convince him, so he decided to let Xavier do what he wanted.It would be best if Xavier could solve the problem. He was just worried that Xavier’s good intentions would cause a bigger mess. That was the last thing he wanted to see...“Since you want to go, I won’t stop you.” Thaddeus said calmly, “The Fontaine Residence always welcomes you. If possible, move there to live with us in the future. It’ll be more convenient for Mona and me to take care of you if you stay with us.”“Take care of me?” Xavier snorted coldly and knocked Thaddeus’ head. “You want me to move in with that unreasonable mother of yours? What’s the difference between that and abusing me?”Thaddeus fell silent. His grandfather was right on that point. According to his mother’s nature, she would not be able to live under the same roof as his grandfather. Rather than letting Xavier stay at Fontaine Residence, it was more comfortable to let hi
Mona looked at the two sleeping children. Why could she not just endure it for the sake of the children’s bright future?Although she was deeply involved in a matter now, it could not be solved if she ran away. She had confidence she could defeat the third party who barged into her home and get rid of her wicked mother-in-law, who made things difficult for her at every opportunity.In that case, she should just stick to it. If it really came to the point where things could not be resolved, then she would leave. However, would Thaddeus allow things to progress that far?To be honest, she was the only one maintaining this relationship. Thus, when she finally got tired, the relationship would end sooner or later.Mona still held hope somewhere in her heart, but as she thought of what the man had done, she felt full of disappointment.The sound of footsteps came from the doorway and stopped at the door of the guest room. Mona sat up alertly and looked at the closed door through the fa
Thaddeus stood by the bed and looked at the two children sleeping soundly on the bed with Mona. Neither of them spoke. The light of the wall lamp shone lightly on the two people, projecting a long shadow on the ground.Mona looked at her shadow covered by his. Their shadows overlapped as if she was sheltered by him, and they became one.She was in a trance and suddenly wished that time would stop here. If tomorrow did not come, she would not have to deal with those annoying problems.“The children’s eyes look like yours, but their features take after me.”Thaddeus suddenly spoke, his eyes turning from the two children to Mona’s face. He looked at her gentle face, also enjoying the comfort of the moment.Mona looked sideways at the man and smiled faintly. “Yes. Sometimes, when I look at Bobby, I think he’s a miniature version of you. That’s the magic of genes.”The man’s eyes rested on Mona’s quiet face. This woman was sometimes strong and sometimes gentle. She was most likely wha
Mona vented the anger in her heart. “You obviously chose what was beneficial to you and ignored me and the children. You agreed to fight alongside me but then suddenly left me in the lurch. Why don’t you think for yourself whether or not you lack in virtue?”Thaddeus curled his lips, smiling as he listened to Mona vent. He nodded every now and then, agreeing with her assessment of himself.“Lacking in virtue.” The man nodded. “My image in your mind is all but gone now.”“Obviously.” Mona’s eyes were covered with a layer of coldness. “That’s one thing. My trust in you is fractured. This is a very serious matter, Mr. Fontaine. Can you please stop smirking?”“Okay, okay.” Thaddeus put away the laughter on his face and pinched Mona’s chin, raising her delicate little face. He said very seriously, “If I said I have my difficulties, would you forgive me?”Mona turned her face away and refused to make eye contact with him.She did not want to look at his eyes, or she would be easily swe
“A pretty picture?” Thaddeus was puzzled. “What does that mean?”Mona laughed at him for being an old man who did not understand slang.“It refers to pretty words that have no substance. It’s like sketchy men attempting to get girls to take the bait using cheap methods.”“That’s your evaluation of me? You think I’m trying to bait you using a cheap method?” Thaddeus felt like he had a sudden realization.Mona shook her head and explained, “How can you be such a person in my eyes? I was just saying it casually. If I really thought of you that way, then I’d be chiding myself too. If your efforts were sincere, then they aren’t cheap. I think they’re something very precious.”When Thaddeus heard Mona say this, his tightly knitted brows loosened.Men loved to hear women praise them. Even though he seemed unmoved, his heart was already full of joy.“I see there’s the latest issue of a magazine by your bedside that displays your favorite jewelry brand. Which one do you like? Just buy it