Chapter 221 Three Years of Betrayal
Lauren felt equally conflicted. She held Matthew's hand tightly as they got out of the taxi. After reminding him several times to behave, she slowly walked into the Robinson Estate.
George was puzzled to see Lauren and Matthew return after they had left, so he approached them.
George asked, "Ms. Walker, Mrs. Jessica Robinson hasn't woken up yet. Why have you returned?"
Lauren gave a wry smile, looked lovingly at Matthew, and said, "Has Quentin left?"
George shook his head. "Not yet. He went to the study, seemingly looking for some documents."
Matthew was so excited that he was jumping up and down, thrilled at the prospect of seeing Quentin soon.
Lauren helplessly patted Matthew's shoulder, telling him to be patient. Then she looked up at George and said, "George, please invite Quentin to the living room. Matthew and I will wait for him there."
George nodded and immediately went upstairs to the study to find Quentin.
Seeing Lauren's furrowed brows, Matthew asked worriedly, "Mommy, are you unhappy?"
Lauren forced a smile, "No, I'm not unhappy."
"Mommy, you're lying. Every time you're unhappy, your brows are always furrowed. Mommy, do you not like daddy anymore? Is that why you don't want me to play with him?" Matthew asked, troubled.
He really hoped to have a happy family, but he didn't dare say it, fearing it would make Lauren sad and uncomfortable. So he just carefully observed Lauren. He also needed to figure out what Quentin was thinking. Then, he would decide what to do.
Lauren looked warmly at Matthew and said, "I don't oppose you spending time with your daddy. He is your father, and you share a blood bond with him, just like you do with me. I also believe he will love you dearly, so you will be very happy, Matthew. If you are happy, I'll be happy."
Hearing that, Matthew felt relieved. However, he didn't know that Lauren was just putting on a front. She couldn't help but feel sad about Matthew leaving her side, even if only for a short while.
This was exactly as Sophia had warn her about! Lauren couldn't help but sigh. No matter how uneasy she felt, the bond between Matthew and Quentin as blood relatives was unchangeable.
As Lauren's thoughts wandered, Quentin came down the stairs with large strides.
He frowned, thinking Lauren had come to argue with him again. He tried to recall if he had offended Lauren in any way, wanting to avoid it because every argument left him unsettled for a long time.
Matthew's eyes lit up when he saw Quentin, and he was about to rush over, but Lauren held his hand tightly.
He looked up at Lauren earnestly. "Mommy."
No explanation was needed, Lauren understood what he meant. She let go of Matthew's hand and said, "Go ahead!"
Encouraged by Lauren, Matthew ran over without hesitation.
Matthew called, "Daddy!"
The word "Daddy" made Lauren feel both heartache and joy. Seeing Matthew's happy running figure, she felt a bit sad and regretful. If she had known how much Matthew longed to know who his father was, she would have told him the truth without reservation.
Quentin was caught off guard when Matthew called him Daddy, a word he had longed to hear for years. His raised foot paused mid-air, and his whole body seemed struck by lightning. He trembled slightly and then froze.
Despite Quentin's willingness, Matthew ran to Quentin and jumped on him, clinging like a koala.
Quentin smiled and embraced Matthew.
"Naughty child," he said, affectionately tapping Matthew's nose, unable to conceal his joy.
Matthew shook his head, seriously and excitedly saying to Quentin, "So you are my daddy! Why didn't you tell me?"
Quentin couldn't stop smiling. Although he had been a father for over three years, it was only at this moment that he truly felt Matthew's presence in his life.
Quentin replied, "Why is there so many questions? I wanted to test if you could recognize me."
Matthew proudly said, "Then I win! I knew even before you told me!"
Matthew burst out laughing, and the cold villa warmed up with his laughter.
Lauren stood at a distance, looking at Matthew and Quentin with a complex expression. She slowly walked over, "Matthew will stay with you today. Take good care of him. Don't spoil him too much, and watch his snack intake."
Lauren felt sad as she spoke. Unconsciously, her voice became hoarse and her words sounded like a farewell.
"Don't worry, Mommy. I'll be good." Matthew, immersed in Quentin's warm embrace, didn't notice Lauren's sadness.
However, Quentin could see through all of Lauren's emotions. His eyes flickered, but he said nothing. He knew that words of comfort would be meaningless.
Lauren smiled lovingly. "Alright, I'll go back to work now. Remember to be good!"
Matthew nodded quickly, happily watching from Quentin's embrace as Lauren left the Robinson Estate step by step.
Lauren left the family estate with determination, refusing to look back. As soon as she stepped out of the gate, she broke down in tears.
She understood all the reasons, but the sudden feeling of losing Matthew, whom she had guarded for three years, was overwhelming. How could she not have a meltdown?
At this moment, Lauren realized she was also selfish. Seeing Quentin's joy, she could imagine his heartache.
The Robinson Family owed her nothing, yet she took away their heir, separating Quentin and Matthew, causing Jessica to suffer from longing.
'My current pain was something Quentin and Jessica had endured for three years.' Thinking of this, Lauren wiped away her tears. What right did she have to feel wronged?
Matthew was happy. Knowing the truth, he would only have more people to love and protect him. Lauren couldn't understand why she had stubbornly denied Matthew this happiness for three years.
She suddenly realized that she had been holding a grudge against Quentin for three years. Since he tried to take custody of Matthew, she went to Pariz out of spite, refusing to return and denying Quentin any chance to see Matthew.
Now she realized those three years had been a wasted. If Matthew had been taken and raised by Quentin for the past three years and is happy, she, as Matthew's mother, cannot obstruct his choice of happiness.
