Nelly 's eyes turned red-rimmed as well.
As she watched her son sob uncontrollably between her knees, a myriad of emotions welled up within her.
At that moment, even though they did not utter a single word, it felt as though everything had been said.
It was as though they understood each other perfectly.
Tony 's muffled sobs drifted into the air, causing tears to also stream down Nelly 's cheek.
She stroked his hair. Her eyes brimmed with tears, yet she kept smiling, her voice inexplicably gentle. “There, there. You never cried when you were young, so why have you started now that you've grown up?”
Sob! Sob! Sob!
Weeping uncontrollably, Tony clutched at Nelly 's blanket. He did not want to cry so pitifully either, but once the floodgates of his emotions sprung open, it was no longer possible for him to hold back.
To him, Nelly was everything. For as long as he could remember, he understood her hardships. Although she did not express her feelings much and rarely spoke of love with them, she had done everything all mothers would do. She was clearly someone who feared loneliness and loved freedom, but for their sake, she left her homeland and lived alone in a foreign country for a long time.
Comprehending her struggles and hardships, he vowed to become stronger and have enough power to protect her from a young age. But never had he imagined that things would come to this.
All along, she had been his pillar of strength. If anything were to happen to her, he could not imagine what would become of him or what he might do.
The mere thought of it was a painful and tormenting.
“Mommy!” Tony clung to the blanket on her, desperately trying to suppress his grief. But the more he tried to do so, the more devastated he felt.
Nelly gently stroked his back with her hand, murmuring, “Go ahead and cry. Just cry if it makes you feel better. You'll be fine after crying.” She spoke tenderly, resembling a mother for real at that moment.
No sooner had her words fallen than Tony finally snapped. Clutching onto her, he began to wail uncontrollably.
It was not exactly hysterical, but he bawled his eyes out.
Nelly gazed down at him. Tears occasionally trickled out of her eyes, but she promptly wiped them away with a hand.
Accustomed to being strong, she was still reluctant to bare the vulnerable side of her in front of her child.
Nonetheless, she had to admit that she was also scared. She wanted to live to watch them grow up, spend the future with Alpha Kilian , and take care of her grandfather in his old age.
However, she knew that all that was nothing more than a pipe dream by then.
As she looked at Tony , her eyes were filled with affection.
If her memory served, that was the second time Tony shed tears. The first time was when she had a car accident. Back then, he was merely anxious to the point that his eyes turned red-rimmed, but she really did not see whether he cried, unlike that very moment when he was crying like a heartbroken child.
The contrast of seeing someone who had always been mature and composed before her suddenly breaking down in tears like that was indeed heart-wrenching.
Nelly wished that Tony could still be that child who pretended to be mature. At least, being able to do so meant that he would also be able to accept that fact sometime in the future.
After an indeterminate time, Tony 's crying gradually subsided.
Nelly watched quietly by his side, keep him company.
When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were red and swollen. It was then that Nelly asked, “Feeling any better?”
As soon as she spoke, Tony 's eyes inexorably stung.
At his evasive gaze and silence, Nelly remarked smilingly, “This is more like it, Tony . You're just a kid. What's there to be unhappy about? You should cry and laugh whenever you feel like it. Haven't you heard of the saying that only children who cry are given candy?”
However, Tony muttered, “I don't like eating candy.”
“You know what I meant.” Nelly stared at him, for she was not merely referring to candy.
Tony lifted his eyes and held her gaze. “I don't need anything, Nelly . All I want is for you to be well.” His eyes brimmed with intense yearning.
Looking into Tony 's sincere eyes, a smile curved Nelly 's lips. She nodded, “Okay, I'll remain well.”
“Really?”
“Yes!” Nelly gave a dip of her head. “I will strive and give it my all to remain well!”
Tony gazed at her. “I will do everything in my power to take ensure that, Nelly .”
Upon hearing that, Nelly frowned.
Midnight fang pack was not a small organization, nor can it be taken down with just a few words. Even though Tony had the backing of Darknetz, he knew all too well that Darknetz would not risk everything for him alone.
Looking at Tony , Nelly uttered, “Do you know what's most important to me, Tony ?”
Tony was momentarily puzzled. “What?”
“What's most important to me is you, your siblings, and Grandpa. Only if all of you are well can I be well,” said Nelly .
Speaking of that, Tony was slightly taken aback.
He had a hunch about what Nelly was about to say, but he did not rush to speak. Instead, he stared at her with his lips slightly pursed.
“Tony , you know that the Jackson family is scarce in numbers. In my generation, it's only me. You probably can't imagine how happy I was upon finding out about you and your siblings' existence. I gave your daddy up and took you all to another country in hopes that you could be born safely. Do you understand, Tony ? Only if you're all well can I be well!” Nelly said to him.
Listening to her, Tony nodded after a long while had passed. “Yeah, I understand.”
“I know you're capable. But Midnight fang pack is not a small organization. Even DX Group has not gained an edge over them after battling against them for so long. What could you possibly do?” Nelly asked.
With an indecipherable look in his eyes, Tony said, “I know what you're trying to say, Nelly . Don't worry, for I won't act rashly. I'll be well. The same goes for me, Nelly . Only when you're well can I be well.”
Nelly 's nose stung. Fearing that she might upset Tony again, she quickly averted her gaze.
Only when she had composed herself did she finally shift her gaze back to Tony .
“Yeah, you have a point. So, all of us have to remain well. How about making a pact with me, Tony ?” Nelly suggested.
“What pact?” Tony asked.
“No matter what happens, don't act impulsively. Even in the most urgent situations, you must first ensure your own safety. How about that?” said Nelly .
Tony looked at Nelly . He knew that all she had said was to restrain him and prevent him from doing anything dangerous, as well as ensure his safety.
At that point, Tony naturally would not have her worry about him anymore.
He nodded. “Okay, I promise you that, Nelly .”
Nelly grinned. “Remember, you have to keep your word.”
“Of course.” Tony bobbed his head.
As Nelly looked at him, the corners of her mouth turned up with a gratified smile.