Emerson went over to the nightstand and picked up the document, there were a few noticeable words written in black on it: Divorce Settlement. He opened it, and saw that Robert had signed his name at the signatory part in the end.
So his brother was…
Emerson clutched the document tightly, his chest feeling tight with sadness, but also heaved a sigh with relief.
Emerson locked the document properly in his drawer, turned and went to that room upstairs.
Candice and her son were sleeping in the same bed, both sleeping soundly. Edward was hugging his mother’s arm tightly, the fear of losing was evident even in his dreams, his brows were furrowed deeply.
Emerson crept on to the bed, and took both the woman and his son together into his arms. His hand touched Candice’s still flat abdomen, he did not dare to imagine that there was his second child inside. Just that once that he lost control and behaved recklessly, he had not knew that it would have caused another burden to her already frail body.
I am sorry, my child. But I could not keep you, your mother’s body needs to get treatment as soon as possible. If you want to blame, just blame it on me.
Emerson silently communicated to his seven-week old child, he hoped that the child could understand his decision. Between the child and Candice, although he would miss the child a lot, this child had not come at the right time. He had let go of it without hesitation, but it did not mean that his heart was not aching.
But Emerson had no regrets, although his heart was in so much pain he could not breathe, he would not regret this decision.
His parents had died early, he was eighteen years old when he took over the Stewart company that was facing a lot of problems, not to mention the greedy looks of his relatives. For ten years, there was nothing in his heart but his brother and the company, he turned himself into an impenetrable machine that only knew how to work and earn. It was Candice’s appearance that disturbed his desireless heart, he had fallen, the dead pool that was his eyes had some waves, and had given him desires and expectations outside of working and earning money.
Emerson hugged the woman in his arms tightly. Only when she beside him, only when he was hugging her that he knew what being alive was. So, Candice, I would not let you die, I wouldn’t!
The second day.
Robert said suddenly during breakfast, “Brother, Candice, my house outside is completed, I’ll move in after work today.”
Emerson knew what Robert mean, and he did not ask him to stay, “Alright, come back often, this is still your home.”
Robert nodded and smiled, “I know, brother, no matter where I live, this would still be my home.”
Candice grimaced, “Robert, you haven’t told me the address of the new house. I’ll start packing after you leave for the office…”
Robert shook his head, “Candice, we’re already divorced. In that house there is only me and my future wife, there’s not a place for you and Edward.”
“What?” Candice did not understand what Robert said, she did not understand when they got divorced.
Robert smiled forcefully, he took Candice’s hand and placed it onto his brother’s, and took Edward’s hand and placed it onto his brother’s other hand.
“You are the real family of three here, I should be starting my own life.”
Candice’s eyes grew wide, the moistness of her eyes slowly gathered, and her tears only fell down after Robert’s leaving figure disappeared from sight.
The three of them were in an unbreakable deadlock.
They were tugging at each other, being in pain, in reluctance, and in contradiction…
But now, Robert had exited.
Edward’s tiny hand wiped away the tears on his mother’s face, yet his young voice said maturely, “But mum, wasn’t this the best outcome?”
Candice and Emerson had not thought that these words would come out of a five year old child’s mouth, and neither had they thought that, it was Robert who told everything to this five year old child.
Maybe, in those sleepless nights, Robert needed someone to confide in, and Edward was the only person by his side.