Chapter 810 It's My Failure
Antonio was worried that the truth might upset him.
So he hesitated for a moment and decided not to say anything for now, vaguely saying, "This matter can't be explained in just a few words. I'll explain it to you slowly when we have more time."
Sarah nodded cooperatively, "Antonio is right, there's no need to rush."
She pushed the door open with one hand, both to divert Francis's attention and because she had just remembered something.
"Oh, right." She suddenly looked delighted, "Ryan should be back by now! My dad took them out to play this morning, so you can meet him."
Ryan was Francis's child.
Now that he was back, it was only natural for them to reunite.
Antonio also smiled, "Sarah is right!"
"Francis, Ryan is already taller than my waist now. Sarah has taken good care of him. He'll be very happy to see you." His tone unconsciously carried a hint of pride.
Francis was also affected by their emotions, looking both expectant and a bit nervous.
He really wanted to meet Ryan, his biological child, whom he had never seen before.
The door opened, and they could hear laughter coming from the living room.
Ryan was the first to hear the noise.
He ran over. "Dad."
Ryan's clear voice sounded like a child who had been waiting for his father to come home, finally seeing his biggest support.
Francis's smile hadn't even fully formed when he saw Ryan run straight past him to Antonio without even a glance, his young voice full of concern and joy.
Francis's eyes dimmed instantly, feeling a bit hurt.
Ryan didn't notice, his whole heart was focused on Antonio. "Dad, are you feeling better? "
The things they had said on the phone before were actually said under Sarah's guidance.
After hanging up, they were still worried about Antonio.
After all, Antonio had just undergone a major surgery.
"I am fine." As soon as Antonio finished speaking, two other little ones from the living room also ran over, chattering around Sarah and Antonio, asking about their health and whether they had reconciled.
The harmonious and lively atmosphere made it seem as if Francis in the wheelchair was invisible.
Sarah immediately noticed his low spirits and nudged Antonio beside her.
Then she pushed the two children aside, "Ryan, come here."
Antonio also stopped, looking at Ryan's somewhat puzzled expression, then at Francis in the wheelchair.
He clearly noticed Francis's stiffness, caused by nervousness, which he understood.
But facing Ryan, Francis still forced a smile, wanting to leave the best impression on him.
Sarah felt a bit uncomfortable seeing this, holding Ethan and Harper to the side, and signaling them to be quiet.
"Ryan." Antonio squatted down, speaking solemnly, "Francis is my brother, your father."
Ryan looked at Francis with a puzzled expression.
Francis didn't speak, but his hands on his legs tightened slightly, clearly nervous and expectantly restrained.
Under everyone's gaze, Ryan's eyes began to show signs of panic.
Since he was born, he had known Antonio as his dad, but Antonio didn't like him, so he never dared to call him dad casually.
Later, when Lisa died, Ryan found out that his biological father was someone else who was no longer in this world.
Ryan thought he would become an orphan, but Sarah accepted him, letting him call her mommy, and he had long considered Antonio and Sarah as his parents.
But now, what was going on?
He couldn't understand, instinctively turning to Sarah for help, "Mommy."
Sarah felt a pang in her heart at his cautious expression, a wave of heartache spreading.
Although Ryan was sensible, he had always known Antonio as his dad since birth.
Now, suddenly another dad appeared, could he accept it all at once?
She had been so focused on letting Francis see Ryan that she had overlooked Ryan's feelings.
No one spoke, and the atmosphere gradually became a bit stiff. Even Ethan and Harper felt the awkwardness, shrinking behind Sarah uncomfortably.
Seeing the situation wasn't right, Francis's smile became stiff and forced, but he still tried to smooth things over gently, "It's okay, no rush, let Ryan take his time to adjust. I'm fine with whatever."
After saying that, he reached out to Ryan, but feeling it might be too abrupt, he hesitated and withdrew his hand.
He gently called out, "Ryan."
Ryan felt a bit flustered, but out of politeness, he still looked up at him.
Francis's expression softened a bit, his smile becoming more gentle and warm, "It's okay if you don't want to call me Dad for now. I'll wait for you to accept me. You can call me Uncle for now, okay?"
He was very gentle, showing Ryan his utmost patience and sincerity.
Ryan, feeling lost, fidgeted with his fingers, then looked at Sarah and Antonio, seeing their comforting and encouraging looks, he gradually calmed down.
Although Ryan still didn't understand what was going on, Sarah and Antonio didn't seem to blame him.
But, if Francis, his real "dad," came back, would he have to leave?
Did Sarah and Antonio bring Francis back to reunite with him because they didn't want him to stay in this home anymore? Was it because they thought he was not well-behaved? Or because he wasn't their biological child, so they wanted to send him away?
Ryan couldn't figure it out, but he didn't want to make things difficult for them, so with a nose full of sourness, he called out, "Okay, Uncle."
His voice was soft, breaking the awkwardness.
Francis, moved, and responded repeatedly, his eyes turning red.
Ryan didn't say much more, but after Antonio and the others finally entered the living room, he ran back to his room alone and closed the door.
Sarah's worry grew. Was Ryan hiding in his room crying?
Thinking of this possibility, she felt a pang of heartache, but also thought it was not appropriate to chase after him now.
Antonio also felt a bit regretful. They had indeed been a bit too hasty. Ryan had been treated harshly by Lisa since he was young, always sensitive and insecure. It was only after moving in with them that he started to smile more.
And since he was young, his biggest fear was that his parents wouldn't want him.
Now, Ryan must have misunderstood.
Antonio sighed, sincerely saying, "I'm really sorry, Francis. We didn't consider things from Ryan's perspective. He probably needs some time to process this."
"Why are you apologizing to me?" Francis shook his head, "Ryan's reaction is normal. It's okay, I'll wait for him to slowly accept it. It's my failure as a father that led to this."
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