"If my secret gets out, everything between Dad and me will change forever, and I'll never be happy again. Every single day will be filled with sadness, endless sadness. I'll grow up in a childhood shadowed by the hurt you've caused."
As he spoke, his eyes reddened. A single tear made its way down his cheek.
Aurelia felt as though her heart had been seared. It ached faintly.
Despite his young age, William had his thoughts and judgments. She couldn't force him to do anything.
Children are independent, instead of being extensions of their parents. As a parent, she knew she had to respect his thoughts and decisions.
She wouldn't dare reveal his identity and damage his tender heart without his consent.
She wrapped her arms around the child. "Sweetheart, Mommy won't pressure you. When you're ready and you feel you can accept Uncle Leopold, then we'll go see him, okay?"
William exhaled in relief, "Thank you, Mommy."
The next morning at work, as soon as Aurelia arrived at the office, her colleagues began offering their congratulations. "Congrats, Director Aurelia, for finally getting back together with the big boss. You're the First Lady of the company once again."
Aurelia's mind was a whirlwind. This was definitely Leopold's doing to rush her into making it official. No way!
After the weekly meeting, she made her way to Leopold's office.
"Mr. Leopold, don't you think this is a bit much? We aren't remarried yet."
Leopold curled his lips into a sly smile. "From now on, you're my wife again, remarried or not."
Aurelia felt like screaming. "That's not the same thing! Until we're remarried, I'm still a free woman."
"Don't be fickle, my dear. I am your destiny," he declared with ironclad certainty. With a woman who wavers, all her other hopes and illusions should be cut off.
Aurelia bristled with annoyance. She wasn't his property, not sold to him.
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