Chapter 179 I Am Your Biological Father
He crouched down, looking at Leo, and said seriously, "Leo, there's something I want to tell you. It's a very important secret."
Leo perked up right away, quickly covered his mouth, and whispered, "A secret? I love secrets the most! Uncle, tell me. I promise I won't tell anyone!"
Luca glanced at Olivia. She didn't object, just blushed and nodded. Then he slowly said, "Actually, I'm not your Uncle LO. I'm your daddy, your mom's husband."
Leo froze, his eyes wide open. The building block in his hand dropped to the floor with a clatter. He clearly didn't get it.
"Daddy?" he repeated softly, his eyes full of confusion. "But Mom said my daddy went far away."
Olivia's heart ached. She walked over, crouched down, and hugged Leo. Her voice choked up a little. "Baby, I'm sorry. Mom lied to you. Uncle Luca is your real daddy. It was my fault back then. I didn't tell you the truth and made you suffer."
Leo looked at Olivia, then at Luca. His little face was full of shock, and his eyes slowly filled with tears.
He never thought Uncle LO, who had always been with him and treated him so well, was actually his daddy.
The daddy he'd wanted for so long had been right there by his side.
"Really?" he asked softly, his eyes showing a bit of hope and some doubt.
Luca nodded and gently touched his head. His voice choked up too. "Yes, baby. I'm your daddy. I'm sorry. Daddy came late and left you without a daddy for so many years. You suffered because of me."
Leo's tears fell right away. It wasn't just sadness—it was excitement and hurt all mixed together.
He threw himself into Luca's arms and shouted loudly, "Daddy! Daddy!"
He called out again and again, pouring out all the longing from these years.
Luca hugged him tight. His eyes turned red, and hot tears fell onto Leo's hair.
Five years—he finally heard his son call him daddy.
All the waiting, all the guilt, all the regrets vanished in that moment.
"Yeah, Daddy's here." Luca choked out the words, holding Leo tight and not wanting to let go, like he could make up for those five years.
Olivia watched the father and son hugging and crying. Tears fell from her eyes too. Her heart felt both sour and sweet.
The hard years, the tough times, holding everything together alone—all of it felt worth it now.
Leo cried for a bit, then lifted his head. He wiped his tears with his little hands and looked at Luca and Olivia. A happy smile spread across his face. "Great! Now I have a daddy! From now on, Daddy can take me to school, play carousel with me, and take me to eat steak, right?"
Luca nodded hard, wiped the tears from his eyes, and smiled. "Yes! From now on, Daddy will take you to school every day and play with you every day. Whatever you want to eat, Daddy will take you. Wherever you want to go, Daddy will go with you."
Leo smiled even bigger. Tear drops still hung on his little face, but he shone like a little sun.
Then he remembered something and grabbed Luca's hand. "Daddy, are Grandpa and Grandma coming to see me? Mom said they were happy to know they have a grandson like me."
Luca smiled and nodded. "Yes, Grandpa and Grandma will come soon. They miss you a lot and got many gifts for you."
"Awesome!" Leo jumped up excitedly. "I want to draw a picture for Grandpa and Grandma—of our whole family—and give it to them!"
Olivia and Luca looked at each other and smiled, their eyes full of happiness and relief as they watched their son.
The next morning, Luca had his assistant take Olivia and Leo back to the family home first.
"I'll finish up here and come right back to you. It won't take long."
Luca hugged Leo and didn't want to let go. He kissed his face over and over. "Baby, listen to Mom and Grandpa and Grandma. No being naughty or running off, okay?"
Leo nodded. His little hands clung tight to Luca's neck. "Don't worry, Daddy. I'll be good! Come back quick. I'll wait to eat steak with you and play carousel!"
"Okay." Luca ruffled his hair, then looked at Olivia. His eyes were full of reluctance and worry. "Take care of yourself and the kid. Call me right away if anything happens. Don't try to handle it alone."
Olivia nodded, her heart full of worry. "You too. Stay safe. Don't push yourself. Change your wound dressing on time and eat regularly."
"Don't worry. I'll take care of myself." Luca smiled and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Wait for me. Then we'll live happily together."
The assistant got Olivia and Leo into the car. It pulled away slowly.
Olivia looked back at Luca standing in the doorway. She felt very worried.
The car drove for several hours and finally reached Luca's family home.
Luca's parents were waiting at the door.
Luca's mom, Clara, spotted Leo in the car right away. Her eyes lit up. She walked over quickly, her steps eager.
Leo saw them too and looked curiously at the two middle-aged people who felt strange but kind. His little face showed confusion.
The assistant opened the door. Olivia helped Leo out.
"This is Leo, right?" Clara knelt down carefully in front of him. Her eyes were full of love. She didn't want to scare him. "What a cute kid. His eyes and brows look just like Luca's when he was little. He's so lovable."
Leo felt shy and hid a little behind Olivia. His little hand gripped her clothes tight as he peeked at Clara and Arthur.
"Leo, say hi to Grandpa and Grandma." Olivia patted his back gently and reminded him softly.
Leo looked up. He saw Clara's kind eyes and felt her warmth. He said softly, "Hi, Grandma. Hi, Grandpa."
"Yes!" Clara nodded happily, her voice choking up. She gently hugged Leo. "My good grandson. I finally get to see you! I've waited so many years for you."
Luca's dad, Arthur, walked over too. He looked at Leo. His usually serious face broke into a rare smile, full of affection. "Good boy. Welcome home."
Leo was in Clara's arms. He felt her warm hug and real love, so he wasn't shy anymore. He leaned against her and patted her back lightly with his little hand.
"Come inside. It's windy out here. Don't let the kid get cold." Clara carried Leo into the house. Her steps felt lighter. "I made lots of good food and got many toys—the ones your daddy loved as a kid. I hope you like them."
Olivia followed behind. Seeing how Clara cared for Leo in every way, all her worries melted away.
Her earlier concerns were for nothing. They really liked Leo and accepted him from the bottom of their hearts.