Third Person's POV
Blake sneered, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Do you really think someone who could kill his own brother has any conscience left? He's always resented Grandpa for favoring Dad. If he finds out about Grandpa's condition, the first thing he'll do is fight for Grandpa's shares."
Leo's expression darkened. He realized he had been naive to think Richard might have a change of heart.
"Blake, then we absolutely can't let him know about Grandpa's condition. If he finds out, he won't care about Grandpa's life at all!" Leo said, his voice filled with anger.
"He's arriving tonight. Do you want to come and see him?" Blake asked coldly.
Leo shook his head. "I don't want to see him. I'm afraid I might lose control and kill him."
"You need to stay calm. He's a dog, but you're not. You don't bite randomly," Blake said, lecturing Leo.
Leo knew he wouldn't actually kill anyone, but his temper was fiery. If he saw Richard, he might not be able to control himself, and any conflict could worsen Grandpa's condition.
"Alright, I'll try to keep my temper in check. You keep the recording. I'll head out now," Leo said, turning to leave. However, the excitement he had felt earlier was now completely gone.
Blake's decision to set a date for the engagement brought joy to Patricia and Emerson. Catherine, the bride-to-be, was also secretly thrilled. She and Blake had been through ups and downs, arguments and reconciliations, for over half a year. Their two children had grown taller and more sensible, yet their marriage had been delayed.
This had always been a regret for Catherine. Though they had been living together like a married couple, the official ceremony was still missing.
While Catherine wanted to be the kind of woman who didn't care about titles, she couldn't help it.
Who wouldn't want to take the surname of the man they loved? She had wanted to become Mrs. Blake for a long time.
Moreover, Blake had been nothing but sincere, loving, and devoted to her. What reason did she have not to marry him and become his wife?
"Mommy, are you daydreaming? Wake up!" A small hand waved in front of Catherine's face, snapping her out of her thoughts. She blinked and turned to see her daughter, Hedwig, propping her chin on one hand, her big eyes narrowed as she stared at her. "Mommy, who were you thinking about? Daddy?"
Catherine realized she had been sitting at the little table, holding a paintbrush, supposedly helping her daughter with her drawing.
"Uh, no. Where were we?" Catherine quickly tried to cover up her distraction.
"We were drawing this fairy's dress. Her pink dress looks like a wedding gown. It's so pretty!" Hedwig said, her face filled with admiration.
Catherine remembered why she had been daydreaming in the first place. It was the fairy's sparkling crown and the enchanting wedding gown that had caught her attention.
She sighed inwardly. She had promised to help Hedwig with her drawing, but she had gotten lost in her own thoughts.
"Hedwig, when Daddy and I get married, would you and Noah like to be our flower girls and boys?" Catherine asked with a smile.
"What's a flower girl? Can Noah and I do it? We're so small," Hedwig asked, her knowledge limited since Catherine hadn't taken her to any weddings.
"Remember the little girls you saw on TV walking in front of the bride, holding small baskets of flowers? That's what flower girls do," Catherine explained gently.
Hedwig propped her chin on her hand again, trying to recall when she had seen such a TV show.
Catherine playfully pinched Hedwig's cheek, leaving a smudge of paint that turned her into a little "cat."
Hedwig, oblivious to her mother's mischief, looked up seriously. "Mommy, as long as you and Daddy get married, I'll do anything! Then I can hold my head high in front of my classmates!"
Catherine was taken aback. "Hedwig, do you feel like you can't hold your head up at school?"
Hedwig pouted. "All my friends' parents are married. Only Noah and I don't have that. When they ask me, I don't know what to say, so I just look down and stay quiet."
Catherine's heart ached. She pulled Hedwig into a tight hug. "Hedwig, I'm sorry. I didn't realize how you felt. I promise it won't be like this anymore."
Hedwig, not understanding why her mother was suddenly so emotional, giggled. "Mommy, let me go! My paintbrush is going to get your clothes dirty!"
Catherine reluctantly released her, kissing her forehead gently. "Hedwig, you and Noah are the best gifts I've ever received. I love you both so much."
Hedwig's little brain started working overtime. She blinked her big eyes and asked seriously, "Mommy, you never told me how Noah and I came to be. Are you saying we were wrapped up like presents and delivered to you? Where's the box we came in?"
Catherine was utterly defeated by her daughter's innocence.
She laughed helplessly and patted her head. "The box you came in is right here," she said, pointing to her stomach.