Chapter 299 Daphne Doesn't Want Him Anymore
Daphne's eyes widened. "Brother-in-law?"
"Will it?" Charles pressed, not letting it go.
"Your question doesn't make sense," Daphne deflected. "If you still want to know after you recover, I'll tell you."
Even if she was with Benjamin, Charles wouldn't need to call him brother-in-law since she wasn't his sister.
Charles's face fell, his hands clenched, and a wave of sadness washed over him.
"Go wash up and get some sleep," Daphne said. "You need rest."
Charles pursed his lips and glanced at her. Seeing the calm and composed Benjamin, another thought crossed his mind. "Daphne."
"What?" she asked.
"It hurts." Daphne extended her scraped hand.
The scrape was bad; the skin rubbed off, exposing raw flesh with blood oozing out.
Lydia frowned. She hadn't expected this from just going downstairs. "How did this happen?"
"I fell," Charles mumbled, eyes downcast.
"Benjamin, I'll take him to disinfect the wound first," Daphne said, worried about infection; winter wounds were tough to heal.
Charles's tense heart relaxed. Luckily, Daphne didn't ask too many questions, or he wouldn't know how to answer.
"I'll do it." Benjamin came over with the first aid kit, took Charles's hand, and started applying iodine.
Charles pulled his hand back, resisting.
Daphne was about to speak.
"I'll just rinse it with water," Charles muttered, then walked out and went next door.
He left so quickly that Daphne couldn't stop him. Thinking about what had just happened, she asked Benjamin, "What did you talk about downstairs? How did he fall?"
"Guess," Benjamin said with a slight smirk.
Daphne wondered when Benjamin had become so playful.
"Don't underestimate his intelligence," Benjamin said lazily. "He's good at vying for attention."
"Vying for attention?" Daphne thought she misheard.
"He feels uncomfortable seeing you interact with me," Benjamin said nonchalantly. "Or maybe he wants to monopolize you."
Daphne thought for a moment. "He's just a child with the mind of a five-year-old."
"I suggest you talk to Brian about this," Benjamin said in a low and pleasant voice, "Things might not be as simple as they seem. Haven't you noticed his heavy dependence on you?"
Daphne recalled and realized it seemed a bit true.
Benjamin continued, "Most children with the mind of a five-year-old would want their parents, but he clings to you after meeting you, which is unusual."
"Could it be that he subconsciously feels guilty towards Daphne, so he feels closer to her?" Lydia speculated.
"That's possible," Benjamin analyzed. "But given his total memory loss and mental regression, it's a slim chance."
If it weren't for the conversations and events after going downstairs, Benjamin might not have suspected. But Charles's reaction was indeed abnormal.
"One more thing," Benjamin said.
Daphne listened intently. "What?"
"Kids usually like people who are kind, gentle, and warm to them," Benjamin said, pausing to choose his words carefully, "But you always seem a bit distant with him."
Not just distant, but intentionally keeping a gap.
There was a kid in the organization who clung to Daphne right away, but back then, she'd smile, pat his head, and play with him. It made sense for the kid to like her.
With Charles, though, it was different.
Kids are more sensitive than adults; they can tell if someone likes them.
Even though he didn't feel much warmth from Daphne, he stubbornly clung to her, which was indeed odd.
"Could it be that he's worried I'll abandon him?" Daphne guessed, thinking about his past reactions.
Daphne wanted to treat Charles like other kids. But she knew their relationship and being too kind wouldn't help his recovery. It was better to care for him while keeping some distance.
"Ask Brian about it the day after tomorrow," Benjamin suggested, still unsure.
Daphne agreed. After some casual conversation, she and Lydia went back to their room.
When they returned, Charles had locked himself in his bedroom. Daphne let Lydia wash up first, then knocked on Charles's door, intending to talk to him.
After knocking several times, Charles didn't respond.
Daphne called out, "Charles, it's me. Can you open the door?"
After a while, there was no response.
Just as Daphne was about to knock again, she heard the faint sound of the door opening.
Charles looked downcast and muttered, "Daphne."
"Does your hand still hurt?" Daphne glanced at his red, washed hand.
Charles pursed his lips, about to say it hurt, but remembered Daphne liked strong men, so he quickly shook his head. "No, it doesn't hurt."
"Come here, I'll apply some medicine," Daphne said.
Charles nodded. "Okay."
Daphne gently disinfected and applied medicine to his hand.
During this process, she observed Charles's small movements and behaviors, casually asking, "Do you want to see your parents?"
Charles shook his head.
"Why not?" Daphne asked.
"I only want my sister," Charles replied.
"Aren't you afraid your parents will be sad?" Daphne asked.
Charles shook his head. "No."
Daphne looked at Charles a bit more closely.
Weren't kids usually curious about their parents? Why was Charles...
"Charles," Daphne said, wanting to emphasize something important.
Charles pursed his lips, a hint of fear in his eyes. Was Daphne angry? Why so serious?
"Your parents are the people who love you the most in this world," Daphne said. "Even though I'm raising you now, you can't forget them."
"Then why did you come to get me, not them?" Charles asked.
Daphne pursed her lips and answered, "Because I was the one coordinating with the doctor before getting you; they didn't know."
Charles said nothing.
He had only one thought, 'Daphne doesn't want me anymore. Is it because of Benjamin next door?'
Seeing Charles's mood getting worse, Daphne frowned and called him several times, "Charles."
"I understand, Daphne. I'll go to sleep now, goodnight." Charles heard her, and his eyes seemed to have something more in them, making him appear a bit strange.
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