Barbara released Aveline's hand, her face showing signs of fatigue as she said, "I've talked enough; I'm getting tired now. You both should head back." Lucas suddenly spoke up, "Grandma, if I remember right, you wanted to see me, didn't you? So why, now that I'm here, are you barely speaking toand just holding her hand?" Barbara sighed with a touch of exasperation. "Are you really going to fuss over such a trivial matter? No wonder Aveline doesn't want you anymore-you're too petty!" Lucas was speechless.
Aveline chuckled and said, "I'm a bit thirsty. I'm going to step out and get a drink." She turned to Barbara. "Would you like something, Grandma?" Barbara's eyes brightened. "Oh, yes, I'd love an orange soda." Aveline nodded. "Alright." With that, she turned and left the room. As the door closed behind her, the light-hearted atmosphere that had just been there grew cold and tense.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLucas' sharp eyes narrowed as he looked at Barbara. "Grandma, you're doing all this just to protect your son. Deep down, you've never really approved of Aveline, have you?" To save Frederick, she had even given Aveline the family heirloom. What else was he supposed to think? Barbara met his gaze. "Lu, he is still your father." "Is he?" Lucas suddenly stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow. He walked over to the window, staring out at the bleak scenery. "Because to me, he doesn't deserve that title." He had witnessed his mother's death as a child and watched her fall from a building while his so-called father embraced his new lover, showing nothing but disdain.
His father had never cared for him, only seeing value in profits and his half-brother, Leo.
From a young age, Lucas had always harbored a question deep in his heart.
If Frederick didn't love his mother, why did he marry her? Why did he have him? Frederick had an older son, his firstborn with his original wife. But at that time, Frederick's position was unstable, and he had many enemies. When his eldest son was just three years old, he was kidnapped.
To protect the older son, Frederick's first wife went with him. Later, when Frederick drove the kidnappers out to sea, they threw his wife and son overboard. Only the second son, just a month old at the time-Leo-was left.
Later, Frederick married Lucas' mother, gained certain resources, and began his swift ascent. Once the Tudor family had solidified its power Frederick took over his mother's family business and began indulging in a life of excess.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLucas' mother couldn't stand it. They argued several times, and Frederick began to neglect her. She was a fragile woman and couldn't handle it. In the end, she jumped to her death. Lucas was only four years old then.
Lucas closed his eyes, cold fury radiating from him. "Grandma, just enjoy your twilight years here. Don't worry about things beyond your control. Everyone has their fate." Barbara shut her eyes, realizing that Lucas had no intention of forgiving Frederick.
They were both a father and son and yet, they had cto this.
After a long silence, Barbara finally said, "Alright, I won't worry about it anymore. You should go. I'm tired now."
Lucas returned to his wheelchair, looking at Barbara's deeply wrinkled, aged face. A fleeting, complex emotion crossed his eyes.
He maneuvered the wheelchair out of the room, and as he exited the m elevator, he saw Aveline standing a short distance away, gazing at the scenery outside. The landscape of the nursing hwas quite lovely. The gardens had
been designed by a renowned landscape artist. Even though it was already autumn and a sense of desolation hung in the air, there was a unique beauty that only autumn could bring. х