Trevor finally turned his head to glance at Leilani, but he couldn’t comprehend her bewildered and stunned expression.
“Hold on, Trevor. Let me get this straight,” Leilani said, sitting upright and quickly licking her lower lip. “Are you saying your mother didn’t raise you and instead left you at the orphanage?”
“Yes, Leilani. I used to believe Mother Rosemary was my mom, and even now, I still choose to believe she’s my biological mother,” Trevor’s voice cracked slightly as he averted his gaze from Leilani’s face.
Leilani scoffed in utter perplexity, combing her fingers through her hair as her face twisted into an angry expression.
“She raised me and other children at the orphanage like her own,” Trevor continued.
Leilani simply stared at the boy, unable to find words as she was completely dumbfounded and enraged.
“But why would your mother leave you at the orphanage, Trevor?” she finally managed to ask, her voice slow and hesitant.
The little boy let out a soft sigh and shook his head. “When she showed up five years ago claiming to be my mother and showering me with gifts, she told me my daddy had abandoned her and me, and that’s why she had to leave me at the orphanage,” Trevor explained.
“That’s not true, Trevor!” Leilani exclaimed angrily, her fury evident on her face. “Your mother is the biggest liar I have ever encountered in my entire existence.”
“How could she say such things about your father?” Leilani continued, her anger barely contained. “Listen, Trevor. There’s something about your daddy that you don’t know yet,” she said, quickly moving to sit in front of Trevor on the grass.
She took a deep breath before slowly taking Trevor’s tiny hands in hers.
“Trevor, believe me when I tell you what I have to say. Your father had no idea about your existence, and do you know why? Your mother deceived and fled with all of your father’s money. He trusted her so much,”
Trevor’s expression shifted into a scowl.
“Yes, Trevor. Your father trusted your mother with his assets, but she saw him as a fool and took everything, including you. But I assure you, your father had no idea about you,” Leilani disclosed, her expression mirroring the sadness she felt for the young boy.
Trevor nodded slowly, “I should have figured it out. Why would he not want me? Did I do something to offend him?” As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.
“It’s understandable if my father doesn’t want me around him. My mother has always been the problem. She despises me and doesn’t want me near her. But all of a sudden, she came to the orphanage, claiming that my father desperately wanted to meet me. Yet when he saw me, he didn’t even pretend to be happy,” Trevor expressed, his tears falling steadily.
As the little boy poured out his heart, Leilani couldn’t hold back her own tears.
“It’s okay, dear. Everything will be alright now. Just give your father a chance to prove himself, please,” she pleaded in a soothing tone.
The boy nodded eagerly, hugging Leilani as tightly as she embraced him.
————
Nelson slowly turned the doorknob to Trevor’s room and entered. There he saw Trevor sleeping peacefully in bed, hugging a teddy bear.
Nelson smiled softly as he approached the bed and gently sat down next to Trevor. He carefully took one of Trevor’s hands in his and used his other hand to cover it.
“My son,” He called softly and smiled again. If a soothsayer had proclaimed his son’s existence, he would have blindly disagreed without a second thought.
Although, Ariel was the woman of his dreams, the one he always pictured having children with. However, he never fathomed that she would betray him and take his child away.
After hearing Leilani’s account of everything when he returned from work, he realized he needed to clear things with his child.
“Trevor,” he began, gently holding his little hand in his. “I was unfortunate to fall in love with someone like your mother,” he said with a rueful smile. “But trust me, if I had known about you all this time, I would have dug her out from hiding and taken you with me,” his voice shaking with emotion.
“How could I have abandoned my first fruit? Neglected my own younger version? How could I not want a cute boy like you, Trevor?” Nelson allowed his tears to flow freely, not suppressing them.
He fell silent, gazing at the handsome and adorable boy as he slept peacefully. His soul cried out in sorrow.
How could he have neglected such a precious child while Ariel raised him in an orphanage?
Damn Ariel! She would pay dearly for every pain she had caused their son.
“Forgive me, Trevor. Forgive me, my son,” he sobbed softly.
After a long time, his tears subsided and he moved closer to Trevor, placing a tender kiss on his forehead. He carefully covered him with the duvet before shooting him one last warm smile and leaving his room.
The next morning, everyone gathered around the table for breakfast when Nelson appeared in his work attire. He greeted everyone, but avoided meeting Trevor’s gaze.
“Good morning, Daddy,” Trevor greeted cheerfully, surprising Nelson and Susan. Leilani beamed, as if she had expected this all along.
Nelson was struck with shock, his gaze fixed on Leilani and Susan. He was unsure of the emotions coursing through him at that instant.
“I was well aware of your visit to my room last night, daddy,” Trevor added, a beaming grin spreading across his lips as he locked eyes with his father.
Nelson, in turn, was flabbergasted; his mouth involuntarily dropping open as he processed this revelation.
He knew?