Chapter 213 Father and Son Heart-to-Heart
Matthew's laughter echoed through the garden. Quentin, exhausted, collapsed onto the lawn with Matthew in his arms.
Matthew couldn't stop giggling. Full of energy, he climbed onto Quentin's chest, tugging at his clothes to get him up.
"Quentin, get up! I still want to play!" Matthew shouted.
Quentin sighed and sat up, gently flicking Matthew's forehead. "You're trying to wear me out," he said with a smile.
Matthew mimicked him, flicking Quentin's forehead back. He replied enthusiastically, "This is fun!"
He kept flicking Quentin's head, unable to stop.
Quentin was speechless. 'Matthew's my son. I need to be patient,' he thought.
Quentin's indulgent expression only made Matthew play more recklessly.
Finally, Matthew got tired and sat in Quentin's lap, suddenly looking troubled.
"What's wrong?" Quentin asked.
Matthew looked up, his eyes wide. He asked bluntly, "Is that woman your wife?"
"Which one? The one sitting next to you?" Quentin asked, puzzled.
"Yeah, is she your wife?" Matthew asked again.
"What if she is? What if she isn't?" Quentin said then laughed.
Matthew frowned. "She doesn't deserve you," he said dramatically.
"Oh really? Then who does?" Quentin asked, pretending to be serious.
Matthew thought for a moment. He replied honestly, "My mommy. She's the best; she's gentle, kind, and beautiful. But she might be with Uncle Ethan, so you don't have a chance."
Quentin felt a pang of heartache. "Is Lauren with Ethan?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
Matthew nodded. He responded, "Probably. Uncle Ethan's always been there for mommy and me. He loves me a lot, even though I don't have a dad."
Quentin's heart trembled. He almost wanted to tell Matthew the truth but held back. Giving him hope might only lead to disappointment.
Quentin forced a smile. He asked curiously, "Do you want to meet your daddy?"
Matthew's eyes lit up with anticipation. He questioned, "Quentin, do you know where my daddy is? Mommy said he went far away and it would take a long time for him to come back."
Quentin smiled bitterly. 'Lauren, you're too much,' he thought.
"Matthew, don't worry. If you behave, your daddy will come back one day. I promise!" Quentin said, extending his fist for a bump.
Matthew mimicked him, bumping his little fist against Quentin's. He replied serious;y, "Okay, I believe you, Quentin!"
Quentin laughed at Matthew's serious expression. Seeing Quentin's smile, Matthew pulled at his face, trying to keep him from closing his mouth.
"Quentin, you can actually smile. You have a nice smile, like my mom's," Matthew said.
"Just like your mommy? I look much better than her," Quentin said proudly.
Matthew frowned. He declared, "Mommy is the most beautiful woman in the world. When I grow up, I want to marry someone just like her."
Quentin chuckled. He teased, "What do you know, kid?"
Matthew's face turned red with anger. He answered back, "My taste is way better than yours! No, a million times better!"
He turned away, fuming. He couldn't stand anyone badmouthing Lauren.
Quentin, surprisingly patient, asked, "How many times is a million?"
Matthew was stumped. He knew some math, but this was beyond him.
Seeing Matthew's troubled expression, Quentin laughed heartily. They were having a great time, at least Quentin was. Matthew was still puzzled by the question.
Just then, Lauren walked out. Seeing Matthew sitting on Quentin, her face darkened.
"Matthew, you can't be so rude," Lauren scolded.
Matthew quickly climbed down from Quentin, walking towards Lauren with his head down, looking guilty.
"Mommy, Quentin likes playing with me. He won't get mad," Matthew said softly.
Lauren was furious. She continued to scold him, "Haven't I taught you not to be rude? You were climbing all over him. What if you fell?"
He apologized, "I'm sorry, Mommy. Don't be mad." Matthew rubbed his eyes, on the verge of tears.
Quentin walked over, his face cold. "Miss Walker, are you really a responsible mother? Your reaction is so harsh. Is it just because you're worried I might hurt Matthew?"
Lauren glared at Quentin. She snapped at him, "I'm educating my child. Do I need your permission?"
Quentin's eyes sparkled dangerously. He wanted to blurt out that he was Matthew's father and had every right to reprimand him. But he knew it would hurt Lauren. Finally, he held back.
'Damn it!' Quentin cursed inwardly. Why did he still care about hurting Lauren? Shouldn't he make her feel the heartache he once felt?
Ethan stepped between them, picked up Matthew, and comforted him. He suggested, "Lauren, it's getting late. We should go."
Lauren looked at Ethan and nodded in agreement. She agreed, "Okay."
She walked away without looking back.
Sophia came out, smiling at Quentin. She remarked, "I'm really envious of Lauren. She's so happy. Ethan has been by her side all these years. If it were me, I'd be moved too. Ethan is great. He treats Matthew like his own child. Not many people can do that."
Quentin snorted. He scoffed, "Ethan? What a joke."
His tone was contemptuous, but he was worried. This loving Ethan, who had won Matthew over, how could Quentin not be concerned?
Sophia continued, "Quentin, after all, Matthew is your child. He's the heir to the Robinson family. Can you really stand to let Matthew follow Lauren into the White family? You are his father!"
Quentin clenched his fists, silent, but his unwillingness was clear.
Sophia had achieved her goal. She came today to gauge Quentin's attitude towards Lauren.
Matthew was the point of conflict between Quentin and Lauren. She would definitely use this to her advantage in the future. This way, she would eventually marry into the Robinson family.
