Daisy took a deep breath and lowered her head, watching Roberto’s cheerful and bright face. A smile never left her nephew’s small lips, and she felt relieved that, for once, Roberto had chosen not to act like a little devil running around endlessly but instead remained calm in her arms. She adjusted the hat Roberto was wearing before turning her head to the right, her green eyes searching for Juliette among the visitors. She spotted her sitting on a park bench, quite far from where Daisy stood.
With a soft sigh, Daisy thought that Juliette’s sunglasses and hat only drew more attention and made her seem suspicious among the visitors, nurses, and patients in the park.
“Daisy, you remember what you’re supposed to say about Roberto, right? And make sure not to look nervous,” William’s question startled her. She blinked and glanced at her father, who wore a severe expression.
“Robbin mustn’t sense any irregularities, no matter how small. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I know, Papa.” Daisy cleared her throat to steady her now-hoarse voice and turned to Roberto. “So, Roberto, are you happy to go for a walk with your aunt and Grandpa William?”
“Yes, Auntie!”
Daisy laughed and pinched Roberto’s chubby cheek. She took out her phone, activated the child mode setting, and handed it to Roberto. She was sure that Juliette would be upset, perhaps even sulking, knowing that her beloved son was holding a phone, especially since Juliette had explicitly told both her and the De Lavigne family not to give Roberto any gadgets or other things that might encourage laziness until he was at least fifteen years old.
Daisy glanced up and flashed a wide grin in Juliette’s direction, hoping she would see it, before turning toward the door where patients were coming out of the facility to enjoy a walk in the garden. “Remember, Roberto, I’m letting you have the phone this time, but only if you sit quietly on Auntie’s lap and don’t run around. Understand?”
“Okay!”
“Good boy,” Daisy said as she gently patted Roberto’s back, relieved she didn’t have to chase him around. Her body tensed when the moment she had been dreading finally arrived.
She heard William murmur the name that still sent shivers down her spine. Daisy lifted her head to see Robbin walking toward them, accompanied by Christian, Dr. Jason, who was a psychologist, a nurse guiding Robbin, and two correctional officers. Robbin’s hands and feet weren’t shackled. Still, Daisy was sure that one of the guards had a tranquilizer ready to use on him if necessary.
“Robbin, how are you?” William asked calmly. Although he, Daisy, and even his wife despised Robbin for his unforgivable actions, they couldn’t help but feel some sympathy, which is why they continued to visit him.
After all, patients like Robbin shouldn’t be isolated, as doing so might push him further into madness and worsen his mental health. Instead, the goal was to help Robbin realize that he wasn’t alone and, with time, help him forget his memories of Juliette. It was a hope, even if it seemed unrealistic, but it was worth trying.
William stepped forward and extended his hand, giving Robbin’s shoulder a light pat.
“I’m doing fine, Uncle.”
William gave a small smile before turning to Christian. “And how about you, Chris?”
“I’m good, Uncle.” Christian’s eyes widened when he spotted who was sitting on Daisy’s lap. He restrained himself from rushing over and simply said, “We have about fifteen minutes.”
“Of course.” He then signaled Daisy with a hand gesture before saying, “Jason, I’d like to speak with you for a moment. Could we sit over there?” He pointed to a bench across from where Daisy was sitting.
“Certainly, Mr. Lavigne.”
As the two older men moved away to talk, Daisy stood up and adjusted Roberto’s position before approaching Robbin, who was looking around with a somewhat dazed expression. She cleared her throat and exchanged a knowing glance with Christian.
Understanding Daisy’s silent cue, Christian smiled broadly and tapped his cousin on the shoulder to get his attention. “Robbin, do you remember what I told you about Uncle William’s child? Your other cousin?” Robbin nodded.
“She’s here now. Look. Go ahead and say hello.” Robbin turned his dark eyes toward Daisy, blinking in confusion, and mumbled a hesitant greeting. “And do you see the child in her arms? That’s Daisy’s adopted son, his name is Roberto.”
“H-hi, Roberto,” Robbin murmured. His dark eyes lingered on Roberto’s face for a moment before he lowered his head.
Daisy smiled softly and asked, “How are you, Robbin? Do you have any friends here?” Robbin shook his head, still keeping his head lowered. Daisy sighed and noticed that Roberto was no longer focused on the phone but instead staring at Robbin with a puzzled look.
“Roberto, that man… he’s my cousin. Would you like to say hello to him?” Daisy suggested gently. Juliette had told her to make sure Roberto didn’t call her “Auntie” when they were outside the mansion, but at three years old, Roberto was still innocent.
“I do, Auntie!”
Daisy gave a wistful smile as she set Roberto down, whispering sadly, “He still won’t call me Mama, even though he’s been living with me for months.” She gave Robbin a disappointed look before crouching down and saying to Roberto, “Now, go say hello to Uncle Robbin.”
Roberto nodded and stepped forward, extending his small hand toward Robbin with a wide smile. “Hello, Uncle Lobbin!”
Robbin froze for a moment before slowly extending his hand to shake Roberto’s. The warmth and softness of Roberto’s tiny hand in his own felt comforting as if this was how it was supposed to be. Roberto pulled his hand back and turned to bury his face in Daisy’s neck. Daisy chuckled, lifting Roberto back into her arms and adjusting his position to make him more comfortable.
“Such a smart boy,” Daisy praised Roberto. “Sorry, he’s a bit shy around strangers.”
“Look, Robbin, you have a nephew. Isn’t he handsome?” Christian asked with a small smile.
“Yes. He’s very handsome.”
“Would you like to pat his head?” Daisy suggested again. “He’s your nephew, and as an uncle, aren’t you proud?” Daisy cleared her throat and took a step closer, closing the distance between herself and Robbin. Christian then took Robbin’s hand and gently placed it on Roberto’s head.
“Now, give your nephew a gentle, loving pat. I’m sure he’ll warm up to you and won’t be shy anymore,” Daisy added softly.
Robbin did as he was told, and a small smile tugged at his lips as he watched Roberto move shyly and peek at him. Then, unexpectedly, Roberto straightened up and stretched out his tiny arms toward Robbin. Daisy panicked for a moment, completely caught off guard by Roberto’s action. She had thought that after greeting Robbin, Roberto would lose interest and want to play or explore the garden, but asking to be carried by Robbin? That was beyond her expectations.
Daisy gave a nervous smile and gently pressed Roberto’s head back into her shoulder as a subtle refusal.
“Roberto, Uncle Robbin isn’t feeling well right now. When he gets better, he’ll be able to carry you, okay?” Roberto obediently nodded.
“Sorry,” Daisy whispered to Christian, who responded with a nod of understanding.
“Can I play with him?” Robbin suddenly asked, his expression filled with curiosity. Daisy and Christian exchanged glances. “Is that not allowed?”
Daisy groaned inwardly. Why was Robbin suddenly asking for something so impossible?
She gave Christian a look of panic and uncertainty, and they exchanged silent glances for a few moments. Daisy couldn’t ask Juliette for permission, as that would look suspicious, and neither could Christian. She turned back to Robbin, noticing that his face had grown sullen. Then she glanced at William, who gave her a nod.
“It’s okay, but just around here.”
“Nia, could you please accompany Mr. Robbin and his nephew?” Christian asked the nurse, whom Daisy had overheard, who was named Nia.
“Of course, Doctor.”
Roberto clapped his hands excitedly and slid down from Daisy’s arms, then reached out with his little hand to grab Robbin’s, pulling him toward the nearby grassy area.
“I hope he’ll forgive me,” Daisy muttered to Christian.
.
.
.
Juliette watched intently as Robbin and Roberto interacted. Her heart raced, and her chest tightened as she saw her little boy reach out his hands to Robbin, asking to be carried. She had always wanted to see the two of them together, but at the same time, she was terrified. Juliette took a deep breath and felt tears streaming down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away and continued watching Robbin and Roberto from afar, her gaze filled with sorrow.
She didn’t know what they were talking about over there, but what Juliette saw next made her heartache. Robbin and Roberto were playing together, running and chasing each other with smiles on both of their faces. Juliette clenched her fists tightly, her body trembling. Before she knew it, she was sobbing softly at the sight. Seeing Robbin smile after all this time and witnessing Roberto playing with his biological father for the first and last time made Juliette want to scream and curse the cruel fate that had dealt her son such a hand.
Juliette wept and wept, not caring about the sympathy and pity.
The people around her gave her looks. The tears wouldn’t stop flowing. As soon as one tear fell, another would follow. She hugged herself tightly, trying to strengthen her resolve. Would Roberto remember this moment in the future? Would he ask about the man he had once played with so happily?
Juliette knew she was torturing herself. Watching Roberto and Robbin’s meeting felt like a hammer repeatedly striking her heart. “It’s okay, Julie. It’s okay… this is for Roberto…” she whispered to herself, trying to stay strong.
She took a deep breath, wiped her tears, and quickly pulled out her phone, recording the beautiful moment. When she finished, she sent a message to Daisy.
*Why are they playing together?* – Julie
Juliette didn’t have to wait long for Daisy’s reply.
*Robbin asked me, and I couldn’t bring myself to say no, especially after seeing Roberto ask Robbin to carry him. I’m sorry, Julie.* – Daisy
Juliette took a long breath, tilted her head back, and gazed up at the clear sky before responding to Daisy’s message.
*It’s okay. As long as Christian agrees and Uncle William is watching, I suppose it’s for the best. I just hope Robbin won’t ask about Roberto in the future.* – Julie
*He won’t. I told him I was moving to Canada to live with my ‘husband.’ I guess a little lie, for Roberto’s sake, won’t hurt. Besides, this is the last time I’ll see Robbin.* – Daisy
Juliette smiled sadly. Daisy was right. A small lie would be enough to give Robbin a reason to forget about Roberto. She wondered if Daisy had no plans to marry honestly, especially since, once Daisy officially adopted Roberto when he turned ten, it would likely become more challenging for her to find a husband.
Juliette sighed deeply. She felt bad for Daisy, but the reason given by the De Lavigne family made sense. No one outside the De Lavigne family could know who Roberto’s mother was or the story behind his birth. Since Roberto was to become the family heir, the entire family had agreed to cover up the truth and ask Daisy to adopt Roberto, as Daisy was the daughter of the current head of the De Lavigne family, William De Lavigne.
Fifteen minutes later, she saw Roberto and Robbin waving goodbye to each other. Juliette watched the beautiful moment and immediately stored it in her memory. She swallowed hard and stood up.
She watched as Robbin walked away with Christian, the nurse, Dr. Jason, and the two correctional officers. However, when she caught sight of one of the guards, who had kept his head down the entire time, Juliette felt her body freeze and a cold sweat began to form on the back of her neck.
She blinked and tried to focus, but the guard had already disappeared from view, along with Robbin and the others. Juliette shook her head and tried to calm herself. After all, neither Uncle William nor Daisy had reacted as if they recognized the guard.
No. She must have been mistaken. Maybe the guards just had a similar face, but they were different people. That guard couldn’t possibly be Dion, one of Robbin’s accomplices.
…