Chapter 23: Do You Want to be Spanked?
Gabriel clenched his fists, his veins popping out on the back of his hands. He was only here now because of what happened this afternoon, causing a big scene and a significant impact at the entrance of the kindergarten.
He had no choice but to come and talk to the principal himself. After Sophia left, he stood in the same spot for several minutes before finally pinching his brow and walking away.
After dealing with everything, Gabriel returned to the old house.
Sam was still awake, staying in his room. When Mrs. Lancaster saw her grandson return, she immediately greeted him with a smile, "Have you had dinner?"
"Not yet." Gabriel's cold expression melted away as he walked over and sat beside his grandmother.
Gabriel was always gentle with his family and wouldn't bring the indifference he had developed outside back home.
"Well, let Auntie Liu make you a bowl of noodles," Mrs. Lancaster suggested.
"Hmm, what about Sam?" Gabriel asked.
"This child went back to his room right after finishing dinner." Mrs. Lancaster always had a touch of sorrow when it came to her great-grandson.
Originally, the little one was lively and adorable, starting to speak at the age of one with clear and sweet words, always smiling at everyone he saw. But somehow, he slowly stopped smiling and talking. At the age of two, he suddenly fell severely ill, and since then, he never spoke again.
All kinds of doctors were consulted at the time, and in the end, a psychologist came and diagnosed him with autism.
Autism was so difficult; it completely transformed an innocent and lively child into a silent and introverted one.
Her great-grandson was so pitiful. If Sophia knew about it from the afterlife, she would surely be furious, leaping out of her coffin.
Sam was in his room, staring at the set of clothes Sophia had given him.
He didn't quite understand clothes. His wardrobe was filled with all kinds of fashionable and beautiful clothes, which were picked out by servants every day. This set of clothes was just an ordinary casual outfit and didn't seem any different.
But that little boy had clearly said it had mommy's scent.
Sam picked up the clothes and brought them close to his nose, sniffing them. Besides a faint fragrance, there wasn't anything particularly special.
But he said his mommy made them herself. Was it because they were handmade that they had mommy's scent?
Sam suddenly wanted to try them on and feel it for himself.
Just as he was about to try them on, the door was knocked, and then Daddy walked in. Sam's eyes lit up, and he ran over, not daring to hug his Daddy's legs, but instead looking up like a little puppy waiting for love.
Gabriel bent down and picked him up. "I'm sorry, Daddy hasn't been able to spend much time with you."
Sam nodded understandingly, indicating that it was okay.
"We still have some time tonight. If you're not sleepy yet, Daddy can play games with you."
Sam's eyes widened in excitement. Was this for real?
"What do you want to play?"
Sam looked around, but in the end, shook his head and gestured with sign language, "Daddy, you go and work. Sam doesn't need Daddy's company."
"It's okay. Daddy doesn't have work tonight, so I can spend time with you."
Sam patted Gabriel's shoulder, indicating that he wanted him to go and work.
Gabriel smiled warmly, understanding his son's intention, and said, "Alright, I'll be back soon after finishing some work. Wait for me, okay?"
Sam nodded, his eyes filled with trust and anticipation.
Gabriel simply set Sam down from his shoulders. Sam then retrieved the newest game console his father had bought for him, indicating that they should play with it.
Gabriel took the console and starts examining it, ready to play games with his son and enjoy some father-son bonding time. In passing, his eyes catch sight of the clothes strewn on the bed.
"Why weren't these clothes put away?" he mutters to himself as he walks over to pick them up and put them away in the wardrobe. However, Sam runs over, gesturing in protest.
"These were a gift from Auntie," Sam explains.
Gabriel recalls Sophia going to the kindergarten earlier in the afternoon.
As he touches the fabric of the clothes, he immediately recognizes that they are not the type he would usually buy for Sam. Moreover, the style seems unique and not something readily available in the market.
A shadow crosses Gabriel's face, though he tries to conceal it from Sam.
"I don't want you to accept anything that woman gives you anymore," he says, seething with displeasure.
Sam asks, "Why?"
Seeing his father's clear dislike for Auntie, Sam wonders if what Auntie Tiffany had said about her being a bad person is true. But he doesn't feel that way.
Gabriel takes the clothes out of the room and calls for the servant, instructing them, "Get rid of these."
The servant promptly takes the clothes and leaves. Sam begins to feel a great sense of loss. Those were clothes that still carried his mommy's scent! He really wants to keep them, but he senses his father's anger.
Seeing Sam's dejected expression, Gabriel furrows his brows, concerned for his son's well-being. He quickly consoles him, saying, "Whatever type of clothes you want, Daddy can buy them for you."
Sam's face instantly brightens, and he manages a faint smile, nodding in agreement. But deep down, he still feels a sense of loss.
"Come on, Daddy will play games with you," Gabriel says.
Suddenly, Sam doesn't want to play anymore, so he sets the game remote aside.
"Daddy, I'm tired," Sam says.
Reluctantly, Gabriel tucks his son into bed, turns off the lights, and leaves the room. However, Sam lies there with his eyes wide open, unable to fall asleep.
He stares blankly at the ceiling.
Why do other people have mommies, but he doesn't?
He only has Auntie Tiffany but he doesn't like her. Yet, Daddy likes Auntie Tiffany. If he tells Daddy that he doesn't like her, Daddy might start disliking him as well. Besides, Daddy is usually so busy that Great-Grandma often says he doesn't even have time to eat.
Sam has even seen Daddy suffer from stomachaches, profusely sweating and unable to move.
His heart aches for Daddy. He no longer has a mommy. He doesn't want to lose Daddy too.
If Auntie Tiffany stays by Daddy's side, she can take care of Daddy. If there's someone to take care of him, Daddy won't get in trouble.
So he decides to keep his dislike hidden for now.
...
Sure enough, after Sofia returns, she doesn't notice that Ethan and Emma sneaked out or that they even followed her. Her mind is full of Sam as she cooks a meal for the children upon her return.
After they finish eating, she retreats to her own studio to work on clothes. Ethan and Emma cling to the doorframe, whispering to each other.
"Is Mommy making clothes for that kid again?" Emma complains, disgruntled. She dislikes the kid whose bodyguard hurt Mommy.
Ethan nods, confirming her suspicions. "Looks like it."
"I want to stop Mommy," Emma declares, ready to storm inside. But Ethan pulls her back.
"Why are you holding me? Mommy was bullied today!" Emma protests.
“Mommy still wants to make clothes to give to others." She was so angry.
Ethan raised a finger to his lips and made a gesture: "Shh, don't let Mommy hear, otherwise she will know that we secretly followed her out, do you want to be spanked?"
Emma's buttocks felt cold, and she quickly shook her head. She didn't want to be spanked. Although Mommy's spankings don't hurt, it's still not good. Ethan pulled Emma back to their room and took out an iPad from the desk.
"What are you doing, Ethan?" Emma curiously approached. This Ethan, even when Mommy was being bullied, he still had the mood to play with the iPad.
"I want to check that kid's background."
Emma immediately agreed, "If we find out, we'll deal with him!"
Ethan: ...
A few minutes later, Ethan stared blankly at the iPad. Emma, seeing that he hadn't moved for a long time, poked his arm.
"What's wrong? Did you find out?" Emma asked.
"I found out." Ethan turned the iPad to let her see for herself.
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