Chapter 602: What Should You Call Me?

After completing his work, Nathaniel arrived at Daltonia Villa. He remained in the car until Mason reminded him, "Boss, we're here."

Cecilia, asleep on the couch, was roused when Nathaniel touched her arm. She mumbled, "Nicholas," a name she'd instinctively called out at a gathering earlier that day when Nicholas had also touched her arm. Nathaniel quickly withdrew his hand. Cecilia awoke to find him standing over her, his expression icy. "You're back," she stated. He didn't reply, ascending the stairs without a word. Cecilia watched him go, unsure what to say.

That night, Nathaniel and Cecilia slept in separate rooms. Elliot awoke at three in the morning, needing to use the bathroom. He found his mother alone in her bed. "Where's scumbag daddy?" he mused. He then went to Nathaniel's room, finding it unlocked. Nathaniel lay motionless in the dim light, awake. The sound of the door opening made his heart leap. "Cecilia?" he asked.

"It's me," Elliot's soft voice replied. Disappointment etched itself on Nathaniel's face. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"Why aren't you in bed with Mommy?" Elliot asked, confused.

Nathaniel responded with irritation, "Why didn't you ask her why she isn't in bed with me?" Elliot, having seen online news about Nathaniel and Cecilia's situation, patted Nathaniel's shoulder with surprising maturity. "We, as men, need to be the bigger man. Even though Eric might be a tad more handsome and a bit younger, he and Mom didn't give birth to such adorable children as my brother and I."

Nathaniel's face darkened. "Is he more handsome than me?"

"He's a celebrity. Of course, he is," Elliot said, though privately believing his father to be more handsome and masculine. He continued strategically, "Being handsome doesn't pay the bills. You're richer than him, aren't you, scumbag daddy?" He immediately covered his mouth, surprised by his outburst.

Nathaniel didn't seem to mind the insult. Elliot quickly changed the subject. "By the way, how much money do you have? Can you share that with me?"

"Want to know?" Nathaniel, in a bad mood, decided to tease him.

Elliot nodded eagerly.

"What should you call me?" Nathaniel asked.

"Daddy."

"Are you going to behave?"

"Yes."

Elliot was speechless. Nathaniel, somewhat huffily, escorted him from the room, locking the door behind him. Left outside, Elliot muttered, "Darn it... What should I do? Why are they fighting?" He realized he needed to carefully consider how to help them reconcile.