Chapter 31
"Call Rowan down," Darian said gravely.
Ophelia and Thalia exchanged a secret smile.
Approaching Darian, Ophelia sighed helplessly. “Let it be, Darian. I don't blame Rowan; he’s just a child. His lack of understanding is normal. Just don’t be harsh when he comes down. Talk to him gently.”
Griffin strolled leisurely to the foot of the staircase and noticed that the despicable woman was already putting on her act.
Well, he wouldn’t be outdone.
Griffin ambled over to Darian, casting a side glance at Ophelia but not waiting for anyone to speak before he instinctively hid behind Darian, trembling in feigned fear.
The little guy looked pitiful in his thin clothes and timid demeanor, seeming both vulnerable and helpless.
Ophelia narrowed her eyes. What was this kid up to?
Darian's heart sank a tad. “Rowan, come out here.”
Griffin looked up cautiously at Darian, who was already turning to meet his gaze.
“Daddy... I’m scared...”
The child's voice shook, and his small frame quivered as if he had encountered some terrifying beast.
Darian frowned, thinking the child's fear stemmed from guilt. “You know what you did wrong?”
Griffin nodded vigorously. “I know; I messed up.”
Ophelia curled her lips smugly.
Her tactics seemed effective.
The little rascal was starting to fear her.
Darian watched the child's distressed face soften, and his voice mellowed. “What did you do wrong?”
Griffin hung his head and spoke up, "It's all my fault; I've been disrespectful. I'm just a kid; I should've been more accommodating towards Auntie."
Ophelia was taken aback.
"In this house, I'm an outsider. Whatever Auntie wants, she gets. I shouldn't compete with her for it. Dad, I was wrong; I promise it won't happen again."
The more Griffin spoke, the more his voice quivered with hurt, until, by the end, he was nearly sobbing.
Ophelia stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.
What on earth was he talking about?
Ophelia decided to step forward to comfort him, but before she could, a firm hand beat her to it, pulling the boy close. Darian's voice was deep and stern, "Who told you to say these things?"
Griffin kept his eyes down, "No one, Dad. Please don't be mad at Auntie. It wasn't her."
Ophelia was stunned. She felt as if the kid had slapped her across the face.
"No, Rowan, what are you saying..." Ophelia began, panic rising as she crouched in front of Griffin.
Griffin stepped back in fear.
"It's all me; it’s all my fault. If Auntie says I can't talk, then I shouldn't talk. Dad, please don't be upset with her. Auntie told me I'm a bastard, but it's for my own good. It was to make me realize who I really am. Dad, I shouldn't be so close to you. If I get too close, Auntie gets angry."
With those words, Griffin scurried beneath a table, his small body trembling uncontrollably.
One second...
Two seconds...
Three seconds...
A silence as heavy as death enveloped the room.
Ophelia stood frozen in place, totally bewildered.
Darian's icy, penetrating gaze enveloped her like a vast net.
With urgency written all over her face, Ophelia rushed to explain, "Darian... I swear I didn't say those things. He's lying; he's trying to trick you."
Darian looked at her with cold eyes, "Are you suggesting a child could fabricate all this just to slander you?"
Ophelia shook her head fervently, "Darian, I know it's hard for you to believe me, but I truly never said those things; I didn't."
After saying that, Ophelia hurried towards Griffin, reaching out to pull him out and clear the air.
Griffin scrambled farther under the table, his voice loud and pleading, “Auntie, please don’t hit me. I know I was wrong, don’t hit me, Auntie, please!”
Ophelia felt like she was going to lose her mind, “Rowan, cut it out. When have I ever hit you? Remember when you were hurt? I took care of you, didn't I? Come out now, can you please come out?”
“Yeah, yeah, you did take care of me,” Griffin conceded, adding with a sniffle, “I know that when Auntie left those bruises on me, it wasn't on purpose.”
Griffin continued to dodge and weave under tables, leaving Ophelia near tears, "What are you waiting for? Stop him!"
Several servants rushed to assist.
Griffin cried and dodged.
He was too quick – no one could catch him.
Chaos reigned in the living room.
Darian closed his eyes briefly, a glint of determination shining through as he stood. Just as the little guy aimed for another table, Darian swiftly grabbed him and lifted him into his arms.
The kiddo sobbed uncontrollably, his face a mess of snot and tears, which he wiped on Darian’s expensive suit as he buried himself in his chest.
Darian patted the youngster’s back, “Stop crying. I'm here. No one's going to hurt you.”
But Griffin's sobbing only intensified in Darian's embrace as he struggled, “I’ll go; I need to go. I’m unwanted, a nobody. I have to leave; I can’t bother you anymore.”
Darian’s arms tightened around him, a rare patience in his voice, “You are my son, not a nobody. This will always be your home.”
“Really? Can I really stay here forever? What if Auntie is mad?” Griffin said, shooting a glance at Ophelia.
Ophelia, desperate, unleashed her own secret weapon. Tears began streaming down her face too, “Rowan, I know you despise me, but you can’t wrong me like this. I never said those things.”
She looked to Darian, “Darian, you believe me, right? You know I couldn’t be so cruel.”
“Yeah, yeah, Auntie’s not wicked; the wicked one is me. Happy now?”
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