Chapter 378 Family Status
As people got older, they all wanted their children and grandchildren to stay by their side. Reed wasn't that stubborn; as long as the kids were doing well, he didn't care about anything else. He genuinely wanted Nathaniel to go with Aurelia to Coral Bay, but it also made him feel a bit sad.
Nathaniel wasn't stupid; he could see through Reed's thoughts. When people got old, they became like children, and he could see Reed's restraint.
"Grandpa, you can actually come with me to Coral Bay. I mentioned before that I bought a house there, a riverside apartment, a large flat. The air in the South is more humid than here, which is better for your health."
Referring to what he said last time, Reed finally understood that when Nathaniel mentioned Coral Bay, he meant that there was also family there. It turned out to have this layer of meaning.
Reed turned his head away from the children in his arms and coughed lightly. Aurelia quickly stepped forward to take the two children down. "Grandpa, why don't you lie down on the bed?"
Reed waved his hand to indicate that it was nothing, but he still couldn't stop coughing, his face turning red after a few short coughs.
Aurelia went to pour some water, but the water dispenser was empty. She picked up the kettle on the floor. "I'll go get some water."
Nathaniel helped Reed to the bed, gently patting his back to help him catch his breath.
Reed finally calmed down after coughing for a while and asked with a raised eyebrow, "Aurelia finally talked to you?"
Nathaniel sighed inwardly. When would his grandpa ever look at him properly? He had even brought him great-grandchildren, yet he never received a word of praise. He couldn't help but defend himself.
"Grandpa, Aurelia doesn't ignore me. I'm the father of the two kids; how could she ignore me?" He deliberately mentioned the children, hoping to earn some credit.
Reed sighed lightly, "The last time I saw Aurelia, she clearly didn't want to talk to you."
Nathaniel held his forehead. His grandpa really didn't give him any respect, saying this in front of the two kids. His future family status was at risk!
Aurelia was getting water in the hot water room when she suddenly sneezed twice. As she walked out with the kettle, she heard footsteps behind her and a voice calling "Aurelia," which made her hair stand on end.
This gentle voice now sounded cold and chilling.
Aurelia composed herself and turned around, forcing a professional smile. "Uncle Marcus."
Marcus quickly walked up to her and reached for the kettle in her hand.
Seeing his long arm reaching over, Aurelia's mind went blank, her heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly couldn't think straight. She instinctively dodged, moving her body to the side.
Marcus missed and adjusted his glasses on his nose. "Aurelia, what's wrong?"
Aurelia then realized he was trying to take the kettle. She hesitated for a moment, then extended her hand holding the kettle, but her body couldn't help but move to the side.
She had been avoiding him for days and didn't expect to run into Marcus here.
Marcus clearly didn't expect to see Aurelia here either. He had guessed that Nathaniel had hidden her away and hadn't been in a hurry to find her. Nathaniel's skills made it difficult for him to have a chance to contact Aurelia alone, and forcing it wasn't easy either.
He was determined to take Aurelia away. This time, due to an accident, he couldn't, but he would arrange it again.
Marcus took the kettle. "Aurelia, I went to your house a few days ago to find you. I wanted to apologize. I encountered some issues that delayed my trip, but don't worry, I'll arrange it again. I've already had the house over there cleaned and set up according to your preferences, including a dedicated lab for your fragrance-making."
Aurelia's back was drenched in sweat. How could she possibly feel at ease?
"Uncle Marcus, when will you find time to see a psychologist? You're sick."
It was said that people with psychological issues never thought they had a problem; it was always others who were sick. Aurelia felt that Marcus was in this state now. He not only had a problem but a severe one.
Marcus covered his mouth and nose and coughed lightly, speaking gently.
"I've been taking medication, and it's much better. The air in Imperick isn't suitable for my condition. When we go abroad..."
"Uncle Marcus!" Aurelia couldn't help but shout, cutting off his words. She knew Marcus hadn't listened to her at all.
"I can't go abroad with you. Stop thinking about it. I'll tell you again, I'm not the person you know. Your wife is missing, and I'm sorry I never got to meet her, but I'm really not her. How long will you keep deceiving yourself?"
Marcus was momentarily stunned, then chuckled softly. He looked at her steadily, his gaze neither angry nor pleased. "Aurelia, stop it."
Aurelia felt for the first time how difficult it was to communicate with someone.
"Uncle Marcus, let's not even talk about whether I'm single now. I was married to your nephew and had two babies. I call you Uncle Marcus. Do you think it's appropriate to say such things to me? I'm not the person you know. Can you wake up? Or are you pretending not to know?"
Aurelia spoke bluntly, thinking that Marcus might know she wasn't that person but was using her as a substitute to fill the void in his heart. She was genuinely angry.
Marcus's expression stiffened, the lenses on his nose reflecting a cold light, and his emotions were hard to read. "Aurelia, let's not argue here. Let's go inside first."
In no time, they reached the hospital room. Marcus's tone clearly showed he didn't take her words seriously and continued to do as he pleased. Aurelia felt like she had punched a pillow, her anger dissipating into nothing.
Marcus was someone she couldn't communicate with normally.
Aurelia stood outside the door, watching his back as he entered, trying to calm her emotions. The men of the Heilbronn family were not easy to deal with, she concluded.
Inside the hospital room, Reed had stopped coughing and was lying peacefully on the bed, with the two children on either side of him.
Marcus saw the two kids for the first time and was momentarily stunned, his gaze fixed on Dorothy's face. This little one looked so much like Aurelia, almost like a miniature version of her.
Nathaniel stepped forward to block Marcus's blatant gaze, instinctively looking past Marcus to see Aurelia stepping in the next second.
The family reunion was tense.
Reed, unaware of the silent battle between his son and grandson, excitedly introduced them to Marcus.
"Marcus, these are my two great-grandchildren, the treasures of the Heilbronn family!"
Marcus smiled faintly and responded to Reed, "I can see that. They look a lot like Aurelia."
He glanced sideways at Dorothy, while only giving Jacob, who looked just like Nathaniel as a child, a brief look.
The thought of her having children with another man made him feel uneasy.
Marcus couldn't help but recall their intimate moments, and the air in the hospital room felt suffocating.
He coughed lightly. "Dad, how are you feeling today?"
Reed hadn't stopped smiling all day. "I had an IV this morning and feel pretty good. I think I can be discharged this afternoon."
Marcus forced a smile. Only he knew how jealous he felt seeing these two kids.
He had once promised her that they would have a son and a daughter. He thought they would always be happy together, but now he was alone, while she had a son and a daughter with his nephew.
He hadn't taken Aurelia's words outside the door to heart, thinking she was just being difficult.
If she was difficult, he would humor her. He would eventually take her back to Elvenia.
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