“Mommy, you told me that if someone helps you, you must repay them,” Ayaan said seriously, picking up his favorite robot toy. “I want to give my robot to Uncle Stuart.”
Ranita patted Ayaan’s head and smiled slightly. “Ayaan, Uncle Stuart…”
She didn’t know how to explain it to him.
Brendon still hadn’t woken up yet and if he had severe nerve damage, he might never wake up again.
Ranita’s heart ached and she felt sad.
She didn’t want herself or Ayaan to be too involved with Brendon but unfortunately… in Berlin, he saved her life and then in Steland, he saved Ayaan’s life too.
It seemed like they were destined to be intertwined in this lifetime.
“Mommy, what happened to Uncle Stuart? He doesn’t come see me anymore. Does he not like me anymore?”
Ayaan pouted as his expression became downcast.
“No… Uncle Stuart likes you very much,” Ranita explained while pursing her lips. “Ayaan, Uncle Stuart is injured and hasn’t woken up yet.”
“He hasn’t woken up yet? What does that mean?” Ayaan widened his eyes in surprise.
Ranita took Ayaan by the hand to see Brendon. Ayaan, with his short legs, ran over and reached out to hold the man’s finger. “Uncle Stuart! I came to see you!”
“Uncle Stuart, stop being lazy and wake up!”
Ranita’s eyes were a little teary. She walked over, picked up Ayaan, and sat by the bedside, looking at Brendon. She felt a complicated mix of emotions.
“Mommy… Why doesn’t Uncle Stuart open his eyes to see us?” Ayaan tugged at Ranita’s hand, asking with a puzzled expression.
“Ayaan, Uncle Stuart is injured. He’s very tired right now and needs some time to wake up.”
“Mommy, is it because of me?”
Ranita felt her heart in turmoil. She rubbed her son’s head and said, “It’s not because of you; it’s because of the bad guy who took you away. Uncle Stuart…”
Ranita pursed her lips. She looked at Brendon, then at Ayaan. Her throat tightened, and after a moment, she gently asked Ayaan, “Ayaan, do you like Uncle Stuart?”
“I like him!” Ayaan replied.
Ranita clenched her teeth. “Ayaan, I lied to you before. Actually, your father didn’t sacrifice himself.”
“What?” Ayaan looked at Ranita in surprise, then tilted his head and asked, “Is Uncle Stuart my dad?”
“Ayaan, you knew?”
“Mommy, doesn’t your wallet have a photo of Dad? He looks the same as Uncle Stuart.” Ayaan asked again, “Mommy, is Uncle Stuart really my dad?”
If possible, Ranita actually didn’t want to tell Ayaan, but with Brendon currently unconscious, there might not be another chance for Ayaan to call him “Dad” in the future.
“Yes! He is your dad.”
“Wow! I have a dad!” Ayaan rushed over and hugged Brendon’s arm, startling Ranita who quickly held him back. “Be careful.”
Ayaan nodded and asked, “Mommy, why isn’t Dad with us?”
“I got divorced from your Dad.”
“Oh… I know about that! I’ve seen it on TV!” Ayaan suddenly hugged Ranita and said like a little expert, “Mommy, I will still be with you in the future. I won’t go with Dad.”
Ayaan accepted it quite quickly, and Ranita felt relieved. “Let’s go back for now and come visit your Dad later.”
Ranita stood up, noticed the pillow was a bit askew, and bent down to adjust it. Seeing that Brendon showed no signs of waking up, she whispered, “Brendon, I’ve already told Ayaan that you’re his dad.”
“Wake up soon, or else I’ll let your son call someone else ‘Dad’.”