Chapter 452: An Unwanted Visitor
Elliot, though feeling differently inside, maintained a façade. "You're the one who's dead, not Dad. You're the bad guy," he sniffled, attempting to appear distraught.
Nathaniel disliked children, particularly this one. The boy's feigned crying was merely an annoyance. "Stop crying," he ordered, his patience waning.
"No," Elliot continued his charade, though no tears fell.
Nathaniel couldn't discern whether the boy was truly crying or merely pretending. However, he knew Cecilia's fury would be unleashed if she found him upset. "Your father isn't dead," Nathaniel said, attempting appeasement.
"But you cursed my dad!" Elliot's sobs intensified, pushing Nathaniel's patience to its breaking point.
Nathaniel felt a headache approaching. "Stop crying, I was just kidding," he admitted, trying to soothe him.
Elliot hadn't anticipated his stern father's easy surrender. Glancing at the wall clock, he realized his mother's checkup was nearly finished.
"You're an adult! How could you joke about something like that? My daddy's dead! I need to return to Erihal with Mommy to pay my respects…" Elliot's words were calculated, his cries deliberate.
Nathaniel hadn't expected the child to take his words so seriously. Had he known, he never would have said it. Now, he was in trouble.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a wave of regret. "I was only joking. What can I do to stop you from crying?" he asked, seeking a solution.
"You could apologize to me," Elliot suggested, his tone firm. "The teacher says you should apologize when you do something wrong."
Elliot was curious to see if his stubborn father would actually apologize. Besides apologizing to Cecilia, Nathaniel had never apologized to anyone else. The thought of apologizing to this child, whom he viewed as the offspring of another man from Cecilia's past, was almost unbearable.
But as Nathaniel remained silent, Elliot's cries grew louder. "Wah, my daddy's gone. I'm now a child without a dad… Oh, my dear daddy…" he wailed, his voice echoing through the room.
His cries attracted a passing nurse. "Eli, what happened to your dad?" she asked, peering into the room.
Nathaniel was caught off guard, unprepared for interference. "He's fine," he replied, attempting to dismiss her concern.
The nurse was startled by Nathaniel's stern expression, his handsome face momentarily rendering her speechless. "That's good to hear," she muttered before leaving, still uncertain about the situation.
After the nurse left, Elliot's cries continued. Faintly, the nurse heard Nathaniel's deep voice: "I'm sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn't have joked about that. Your dad is fine."
Elliot, not easily appeased, insisted, "Apologies should be sincere. Say it a few more times."
Reluctantly, Nathaniel repeated himself, trying to placate the child.
Meanwhile, Cecilia had completed her examinations. The doctor requested Nathaniel and Elliot's presence, and upon hearing this, Nathaniel grew tense, worried about Cecilia's condition.
Elliot immediately ceased his fussing, focusing intently on the doctor's words.
"The child is in good health, and not only that," the doctor announced, "through the ultrasound, we've confirmed the presence of two gestational sacs."
The news stunned Cecilia—she was expecting twins. Overwhelmed, she didn't notice Nathaniel, standing beside her, quietly exhaling in relief.
Elliot was the first to react. "So, does that mean I'm going to have two younger siblings? I finally get to be an older brother!" he exclaimed, his excitement overflowing.
"Indeed," the doctor confirmed warmly.
Cecilia knew how much Elliot longed to be an older brother, and his joy brought a smile to her face.
After receiving prescribed medication, Cecilia, Nathaniel, and Elliot prepared to leave the hospital.
With the New Year approaching, Cecilia planned to bring Elliot home so they could all live together. But as the trio arrived home and stepped out of the car, Cecilia's eyes fell upon Paula, standing at the front door, awaiting them.