Chapter 375 Keeping Secrets
Jacob craned his neck to look outside the door. Aurelia was carrying a basin of water to water the flowers outside. Just as Nathaniel had said, she didn't seem unhappy; in fact, she looked more cheerful than usual.
"Alright, I won't hold it against you this time."
Nathaniel breathed a sigh of relief. "This is a secret between Mom and Dad. Now that you know, you have to keep it a secret for us, okay? If others find out, Mommy will be upset."
Jacob nodded, somewhat understanding. He certainly didn't want to make Aurelia unhappy, so the agreement was temporarily reached.
Nathaniel took Jacob's chubby little hand and squeezed it. "Daddy has something to ask you and your sister. Can you go get your sister now?"
"Okay." Jacob slid off his dad's lap and went to the living room to find his sister. In less than a minute, the two little ones squeezed into the study together. Dorothy looked curious.
"Daddy, what do you want to talk to us about?"
Nathaniel spread his legs and pulled the two kids into his arms. "Do you want to go out?"
The two kids nodded vigorously. After being cooped up all morning, they definitely wanted to go out.
Jacob tilted his little neck and said, "The teacher said that kids need to go out and get some sun every day to grow tall. We can't stay inside all the time, right, Dorothy?"
Jacob gave Dorothy a look, afraid she wouldn't agree with him.
Dorothy understood immediately. "Jacob, you're right. Kids who don't go out to play will become silly."
The two children took turns speaking, afraid their dad wouldn't take them out.
Nathaniel couldn't help but smile. "That's right. Daddy wants to ask your opinion on something. You have a great-grandfather who is very old and very lonely. He wants to play with us. Would you like to go see him?"
Nathaniel added, "Great-grandpa might be very enthusiastic."
He could already imagine how happy Reed would be to see the two kids. He had been longing for great-grandchildren for so many years, and the incident four years ago had been a big blow to him. Since then, his health had deteriorated.
Reed had to go to the hospital every now and then, and his mental state was not as good as before. He often sat alone in a daze or talked to the photo of his late wife.
He was also very sensitive emotionally. Whenever he heard that an old friend had a new great-grandchild, or that a business partner had fallen ill or passed away, or that someone's grandson had gotten married, he would talk to his late wife's photo for a long time.
Nathaniel knew that his own reckless actions had left Reed with a heavy heart. He didn't dare to face him but couldn't stop worrying, so he called Ted every other day to check on him.
According to Ted's recent updates, ever since Reed found out that his two precious great-grandchildren were safely born, his mental state had improved significantly. He even resumed the HIIT workouts he had abandoned for years, claiming he needed to get fit to hold the kids.
The term "great-grandfather" was unfamiliar to Jacob and Dorothy. They had no concept of the title.
Dorothy blinked her big eyes and asked, "Who is Great-grandfather, and why have I never met him?"
"Great-grandfather is Daddy's grandpa. He likes you two very much and also likes your mommy. You have lived with Mommy in Coral Bay since you were little. Our home used to be in Imperick, and we have many relatives there, including Great-grandfather."
Nathaniel thought about the last time Beatrice had caused a scene at Aurelia's house and scared Dorothy, so he didn't mention anyone else, only Reed.
Jacob, being a grateful child, thought that anyone who liked Aurelia must be a good person. In his worldview, those who liked Aurelia were good people, and those who made things difficult for Mommy were bad people.
"Then let's go see great-grandfather today!"
Nathaniel was pleased with Jacob's suggestion. He turned to ask Dorothy, "Your brother agrees. Do you have any different opinions, Dorothy?"
Dorothy grinned, "I also want to play with Great-grandfather. Why don't we go now?"
Nathaniel pulled the two kids closer and rubbed his chin on their heads. "We need to ask Mommy if she wants to go."
"Okay. Mommy!"
Aurelia had just finished watering the flowers and was coming back inside when she heard Dorothy's shout. She put the basin back in the bathroom and went to the study to find the three of them.
"Dorothy, were you calling me?"
Nathaniel stood up from the chair, his eyes full of a pleading look. "Aurelia, I just discussed with the kids about visiting their great-grandfather today."
He stood there looking at her, his eyes full of a clear request, waiting for her answer.
Aurelia smiled. "If Jacob and Dorothy have no objections, then I have no objections."
She had already told him that she wouldn't stop him from doing this. Reed wasn't an outsider, and she knew how much he loved children.
If it were Beatrice and Ashley wanting to see the kids, Aurelia would be resistant. The last time Beatrice caused a scene, the kids were so scared they didn't dare go out all day.
She still wasn't sure if Beatrice would make things difficult for the kids because of their conflicts.
Thinking of this, Aurelia set a condition. "Can we not go to the Heilbronn Villa?"
Nathaniel paused. "Grandpa is in the hospital today."
Aurelia's expression became tense.
"Why is Grandpa in the hospital? Is he not feeling well?"
"It's an old problem. As people get older, their immune systems weaken. Two years ago, he developed chronic bronchitis and goes to the hospital every now and then for treatment."
Nathaniel paused and said, "Without your consent, I won't take the kids to the Heilbronn Villa."
He knew she had her concerns and that his mom and sister often did things that made people uncomfortable.
Aurelia blinked. The tacit understanding between them was still there. They didn't need to say much to understand each other's feelings. Nathaniel now considered her in everything he did.
She felt his attention and trusted that he wouldn't be as unreasonable as his mom and sister. "Then let's pack up and go to the hospital?"
Nathaniel nodded. "Thank you, Aurelia."
Nathaniel felt grateful. He couldn't quite explain what he was thanking her for, but he just felt the need to thank her.
Aurelia changed into an outfit for going out, and the family of four got into the car. Aurelia sat in the passenger seat today. As she fastened her seatbelt, she scolded him.
"You should have told me earlier that Grandpa was in the hospital. We could have made some soup to bring. Grandpa used to love the soup I made. He said my cooking was better than the kitchen auntie's."
Nathaniel's hand paused on the steering wheel, and he turned to smile at her.
"Is it possible that Grandpa said that because you made the soup?"
Aurelia was momentarily stunned, and Nathaniel smiled mischievously.
"Aurelia, did I ever tell you about the first contract I signed for the Heilbronn Group when I was eighteen? Grandpa praised me for being capable and even gave me a reward. The whole family celebrated at a hotel. Later, I found out that the contract cost the Heilbronn Group eighty million dollars."
Aurelia rolled her eyes at him. "Grandpa's praise for me was genuine. His reward for you was because he didn't want to discourage you."
Nathaniel leaned back in his seat, trying to hold back his laughter, his shoulders shaking.
"Alright, Grandpa has Ted taking care of him. He doesn't lack anything. Bringing the two kids to see him will be more effective than any soup."
Nathaniel's words hit the mark, and Aurelia agreed.
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