Chapter 428

As a mother, she naturally wished for both her children to be healthy and well.

But after everything they’d been through, Jasmine had grown increasingly disheartened.

Not only had fate failed to show kindness to her children, it had also forced her to learn how to endure such a life.

She could accept that she was already getting on in years. But her children were still so young, especially her daughter…

Why did she have to endure all this?

The thought alone made Jasmine ache inside.

Her youngest daughter was a wound she’d never be able to heal from in this lifetime.

And seeing her son like this, she could guess something must have gone wrong out there.

Jasmine sat down quietly beside Leonard.

“Sweetheart, there’s no hardship that can’t be overcome. When things feel overwhelming, try not to overthink. Everything will pass.”

She didn’t ask what had happened–she knew her son well!

He had always been measured and had his own judgment, no matter what he did.

All she could do now was help him untangle his thoughts instead of getting stuck in them.

There was no need to trap oneself like that.

Leonard’s eyes were tinged red, the tip of his nose flushed as well.

“Mom… tell me, if I finally like someone, does being one step too late mean I’ll always be too late?”

The moment Jasmine heard that, she understood exactly what he had gone through.

She pulled him gently into her arms and comforted him,

“Alright, Mom understands what you mean.”

“Feelings are not something that can be easily explained. And they definitely can’t be summed up in a few words.

“Sometimes, it all happens in a moment. Falling in love can be so simple, and yet so difficult. None of us are in the wrong. After all, no one can truly control what’s in their heart.”

Leonard leaned quietly against her shoulder, holding Nora lightly in his arms.

There was something so distinct and tender in Jasmine’s voice that her words sent him into deep thought.

Yes, there was nothing wrong with liking someone.

He simply couldn’t control how he felt.

“But Mom… I can’t let her go. What do I do…?”

Tears welled up in Jasmine’s eyes the second she heard his choked-up voice.

She couldn’t help but want to cry too.

But she knew that what mattered most right now was staying by Leonard’s side, comforting, guiding, and not criticizing him.

Jasmine sighed. It was the first time she had seen her son so vulnerable.

Even back when they found out Nora had autism, he didn’t beat himself up or fall apart.

But now, seeing Leonard like this, she knew he must’ve truly fallen for someone.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be sitting here, saying all this to her.

And in his arms, Nora sat blankly, her eyes fixed on the cartoon playing on the screen.

Maybe she sensed the shift in mood too–her mother’s sadness, her brother’s quiet despair.

So, she curled up even tighter in Leonard’s embrace, silent but present.

Leonard noticed it.

Was Nora trying to give him silent encouragement?

Jasmine spoke softly, “It’s alright if you can’t let go. Why force yourself to?”

“Letting go is hard. But what we can do is learn to accept things and make peace with them, rather than pushing ourselves to forget.”

Those words cleared Leonard’s mind in an instant.