Emerson was no fool, he knew what his brother was thinking. He could have said no, but he realised that he had not even the grounds or reason to refuse.
He was the elder brother, and wanted his brother to have a normal life. He knew that his brother would care for Candice like the apple in his eye. But… his heart felt like it was so painful it could not breathe.
Lily was shooed away by Emerson with an excuse, Edward was brought to nap in the guest room by a servant. Robert went out to amend Edward’s identity. When everyone was not there, only Emerson walked into Candice’s room, and hugged her tightly against his chest.
“You’re still alive, thank god.” Emerson a man of seven foot height, buried his face in the crook of Candice’s neck and mumbled to himself.
Emerson told himself, Candice was still alive, and your son was five years old, this was something that he never dared to dream of, and you should be satisfied. Was it not your wish that they were still alive? Now your wish had come true. So why were you so greedy wanting more, still wanting to hug her, still wanting to take her as your own?
He knew that it was not right, but Emerson could not control himself no matter what. He laughed at his immorality, only deserving to live in the dark and never see the light. And he deserved to be tortured by self-blame and desire more painful than death.
Candice felt the hot solid hug, she did not know whether it was out of habit or instinct but she moved closer into the hug, and chose a comfortable position.
“Emerson…”
“I’m here.”
“Emerson…”
“I’m here.”
Candice kept on mumbling unconsciously, and Emerson kept on replying quietly, until Candice said, “Emerson, your fiancée looks so beautiful.”
Emerson, “…”
Candice slept on until the evening, when she was awakened by her son.
“Edward, what time is it?” Candice put an arm around her son and put him into the blankets.
“It’s 6 p. m.”
Edward obediently laid beside his mother which was rare, “Mum, I thought you had fainted like last time at the hospital, sleeping for so long and never woke up.”
Candice held her son’s tiny hand and rubbed it, “I fainted because of low blood sugar the last time. I’m fine, I’m perfectly healthy, I could go into the mountains and fight a tiger.”
Edward leaned against his mother’s lap, his tiny brow furrowing. He was more matured than the kids of his age, but he was still a child. He was five when his mother fainted, and had known about fear for the first time. He was afraid that his mother would have slept on, and never woke up again. So he kept by his mother’s side when his mother was asleep today, and shook his mother once in a while, afraid that his mother’s eyes would never open again.
Candice felt her son’s fear, but she could only lie to him for now. She hoped to tell him when he was a bit older, a bit more older, when he was brave enough. She hoped, that she could live until then.
“Mum, big father doesn’t like his fiancée.” Edward suddenly made a shocking statement.
Candice frowned, “How do you know?”
“I saw it. That lady always tried to impress big father, but big father always looked very annoyed.” Edward said.
Candice tried to recall, and found that her son seemed to be correct. If there was affection between a man and a woman, their gestures would have leaked what they truly thought. But, if Emerson did not like Lily, why was he marrying her?
At dinner, Lily was absent, and Candice’s appetite improved for no reason.
Robert brought a bowl of soup for Candice, and left it on the side of her hand, “Edward’s identity has been amended, tomorrow I’ll find him a kindergarten.”
“Alright, I’ll go with you tomorrow,” Candice replied.
“Sure, you could come with us if you’re bored at home. Edward, would you like to go out with dad and mum tomorrow?” Robert turned to ask Edward for his opinion.