Chapter 271 Let's Break Up
Billy cast a glance at Alex, acknowledging with a nod. "I understand," he said.
Aaron's lip curled in a slight smirk. "However, your instinct to protect your mother is commendable."
Sometimes, after a stern reprimand, it was necessary to offer a word of praise. A carrot, so to speak. Aaron was aware that he risked alienating the children if he didn't balance his discipline with warmth.
After soothing the trio, Aaron ventured a question. "Do you know where your Mommy is? Carter mentioned that she had gone out for tea with some important guests from Lindwood City."
Alex nodded in affirmation. "We ran into an uncle as we were leaving kindergarten. He mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton of the esteemed Hamilton family had invited her for tea."
The Ebenezer couple had invited Nora for tea? And the matriarch of the Hamilton family was in town as well? Aaron's dark eyes narrowed at the revelation.
From his knowledge of the Hamilton family, the matriarch, Emma, was a force to be reckoned with. She had managed the Hamilton family's domestic affairs with impeccable control for years. Although Suzy wasn't her biological daughter, she had always treated her as such.
Emma's sudden arrival in Houston sparked concern in Aaron. Could she be here to stir trouble for Nora? With this thought, he swiftly dialed Nora's number. The phone rang, but there was no response.
Aaron's brows furrowed in worry. "How long has she been gone? Could they still be in conversation?"
Alex, lifting his gaze from the computer, responded, "Uncle Gordon, Mommy's at the cemetery right now."
Nora was at a cemetery? Aaron was momentarily taken aback. "How do you know?"
"I installed a tracking system on her phone," Alex explained.
Aaron nodded, his mind racing with questions about why Nora would suddenly visit a cemetery. "You all stay home; I'll go find her," he declared, preparing to leave.
Upon hearing him, Samantha asked in a childlike tone, "Uncle Gordon, can I still call you Daddy?"
Aaron paused, his footsteps halting as he turned back to her. "Of course. Don't worry, I promise I'll bring your Mommy home."
At his words, Samantha's face brightened with joy, and she nodded enthusiastically. Aaron gently patted her small head before stepping out the door.
On second thought, he decided to call Ebenezer. The sudden visit Nora made to the cemetery was likely because she was upset. Could it be not just because of her own mother, but also something the Ebenezer couple had said to her?
The phone rang, and Ebenezer answered, "Aaron."
"Uncle, did you and Aunt also come to Houston?" Aaron asked directly.
"Yes," Ebenezer confirmed.
"Did you say something to Nora?" Aaron pressed.
Ebenezer fell silent for a moment before sighing heavily, "I wronged her."
Aaron felt a tightening in his chest. "Uncle, what exactly did you say to Nora?"
"Hasn't she told you?" Ebenezer asked.
"I haven't seen her yet."
There was a brief pause before Ebenezer confessed, "Actually, Nora is my daughter."
The statement stunned Aaron. "Uncle, what do you mean? Nora is your daughter?"
"Yes. Years ago, Charles Manson brought Nora's mother to my bed, and afterward, she got pregnant and had Nora. But I was unaware. It was only a few days ago, under threat from Charles Manson who wanted me to bail him out, that I found out I have a daughter," Ebenezer explained.
Aaron's dark eyes reflected his shock and disbelief at the revelation. "I understand. I've got to go now," he said before ending the call.
As the surprise gradually faded from his expression, his furrowed brows relaxed, and a strange sense of elation crept into his heart. Nora was part of the Hamilton family? Her background now seemed to align with his own. Perhaps his grandfather wouldn't oppose their relationship anymore.
In the hushed stillness of the cemetery, Nora stood before her mother's gravestone, her heart burdened with a profound grief. "Mother, you understand now, don't you?" she whispered, her voice choked with sorrow. "It seems I am not Charles Manson's daughter after all. Charles Manson is nothing more than a scoundrel. He manipulated your emotions, he deserves to be in the depths of hell! Yet he continues to live a life of luxury, leaving a trail of disaster in his wake!"
The cemetery was a tranquil oasis, and the woman in the photograph on the tombstone gazed back at Nora with a warm, gentle smile, a visage of beauty and tenderness.
With a sigh, Nora lifted her hand to gently caress the cold stone, allowing her grief to ebb away slowly.
Time seemed to stand still until she felt a comforting warmth settle on her shoulder; someone had draped a coat over her. Turning her head, she saw Aaron, his handsome face etched with concern.
As she recalled the morning's events, she found herself unwilling to misdirect her anger toward him, yet she had no desire to engage in conversation. Aaron, in a silent act of respect, placed a bouquet of flowers at the foot of the tombstone and bowed his head. He then turned his attention back to Nora, who stood in silent contemplation.
Reaching out, Aaron gently caressed her cheek, his voice barely above a whisper, "Are you angry with me?"
Nora glanced at him, her voice flat, "Did you do something wrong?"
"No."
"Then there's no reason for me to be angry. I'm not unreasonable."
Aaron, taken aback, felt a wave of unease wash over him.
"Can you give me a smile then?"
"I can't."
She averted her gaze, her stoic face betraying a hint of distance.
Aaron frowned, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "Nora, don't be so cold to me, it makes my mind wander."
His scent was familiar, a comforting presence. Nora didn't push him away, but after a moment of reflection, she spoke, " Thomas, let's break up."
Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, his body stiffening in response. His intuition had been right; he had sensed she would bring up ending their relationship.
Straightening up, he gripped her arms, his voice desperate, "Why?"
Nora met his gaze, her voice steady, "I told you, to be with me, you need your family's blessing. But your mother despises me. She will never accept us being together."
It was better to endure a short pain than a prolonged one. She was fond of Aaron, but she didn't want to wait until she was deeply in love with him only to end things due to his family's disapproval. That would be like stepping into an abyss.
"Nora, I know you're upset with my mother. But she disapproves of you because of your commoner status. If she knew you were a Ebenezer, she wouldn't object," Aaron reasoned.
Nora's brows furrowed slightly, "You know?"
"Yes, I spoke to your uncle, and he told me."
Nora pursed her lips, her voice resolute, "But I have no intention of acknowledging him."
Aaron was taken aback, "Why?"
"It doesn't interest me," Nora replied, pulling away from his grip, her almond eyes clear and determined. "Also, I don't want us to be together because of a business marriage. That would make me feel like a commodity."
Aaron stared at her small, composed face, confusion etched on his features. "Nora, after all this time, don't you understand how I feel?"
Why did it have to be a business marriage? Didn't he truly love her?
"I understand, but I'm someone who despises complications. Your family doesn't like me, so I don't want to waste time on this, do you understand?" Nora responded.
"But I did mention that my mother's issue is with your commoner status..."
"Enough."
Nora's expression turned icy. " Thomas, I've told you before, I don't want to be associated with the Hamilton family. So please, stop flaunting my background."
Aaron watched her, utterly baffled. Why wouldn't she acknowledge the Hamilton family? Had something happened?
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