Chapter 22
Hearing Brian's words, Dorian was thrilled and immediately hugged his leg affectionately.
"Thank you. If I can meet my stepfather, I'll definitely repay you in the future," the child said with surprising maturity.
Brian found himself inexplicably drawn to this child. So delicate and tender, probably around two years old, yet articulate and exceptionally smart. He thought about how Joshua was 34 and still childless. Marrying a wife and getting two kids in the package might not be such a bad thing.
Brian patted Dorian's head and left with a smile.
Ella stared at Dorian with a resentful look, "Dorian, who taught you that?"
A three-year-old child should be innocent and naive. Why was he saying such nonsense? She had no idea what was going on in Dorian's little head all day.
Dorian pouted, his face scrunching up indignantly as he approached Ella, "Mommy, I want to talk to you about this. Why didn't you tell us we have a stepfather?" His little voice grew determined, "I want to meet my stepfather. Don't worry, Mommy, I'll make sure he likes us."
Aurora joined in softly, "Mommy, I want a daddy too."
Ella felt a pang in her heart and couldn't bring herself to scold them anymore. In truth, she sometimes secretly hoped Joshua wouldn't mind her having these two children, or even better, accept them.
But would Joshua accept them? Probably not. Who was Joshua? Someone who grew up pampered and spoiled, the CEO of the Thomas Group, worth billions of dollars. He was proud, noble, above everyone else, a dazzling presence wherever he went. How could such a radiant man be willing to be a stepfather to her children?
Ella lowered her head with a bitter smile. She shouldn't entertain such wild fantasies. There could be no future between her and Joshua.
Aurora's fever hadn't subsided, so Ella stayed to keep her company. After Brian returned to the club to pick up Joshua, he deliberately made the situation sound serious.
"That child's fever is really bad. When we got there, it still hadn't gone down. She's so tiny, burning up and dizzy, looking so pitiful."
Joshua sat in the passenger seat, feeling slightly uncomfortable after drinking, "Didn't you have a doctor check on her?"
"I did, but this kind of illness doesn't improve right away. The child was clinging to Mrs. Thomas pitifully, wouldn't let her leave, so tonight..."
The implication was clear—Ella would be staying there.
Joshua closed his eyes, his handsome face darkening. After a long silence, he suddenly spoke, "Go to the manor."
Brian was surprised but didn't comment, immediately turning the car toward the manor. He had been thinking about what excuse to use to get Joshua there, but Joshua had decided on his own. If this wasn't being unable to live without Ella and wanting to see her, what was it? Brian chuckled to himself, hoping Ella's son really could change Joshua's mind.
When they arrived at the manor that evening, Joshua entered and, not seeing Ella, told Brian coldly, "Go tell that woman to make me something to eat."
Brian hurried upstairs to deliver the message. In the children's room, he found Ella feeding the sick child, "Mrs. Thomas."
Ella hadn't expected Brian to return. Thinking he was there to take her back to Tranquil Villa, she prepared to make a request, but Dorian suddenly rushed over, hugging Brian's leg.
"Did you bring my stepfather here?" the boy asked eagerly.
Brian smiled, rubbing his little head affectionately, "Yes, he's downstairs. Go down and see him!" He added cautiously, "But your stepfather is a bit cold, so be careful not to make him angry, okay?"
"Don't worry, I'll make sure my stepfather likes me," Dorian declared confidently before running straight out of the room.
Ella didn't even have time to call him back. She looked at Brian in disbelief, "He really came?"
Brian nodded, "He's in the living room downstairs. Maybe he wanted to eat your cooking. He asked you to make him something to eat."
Ella was still feeding Aurora, but knowing that pleasing Joshua was her only chance to stay with her children, she handed the bowl to Patricia, "Please take care of Aurora for me. I'll go downstairs and check."
She stroked Aurora's flushed face gently, "Aurora, be good and rest here. Mommy will come back to keep you company soon, okay?"
Aurora blinked her big eyes, clearly more alert now, "Mommy, I want to see my new father too."
Ella hesitated, "Finish eating first, then let Patricia take you downstairs, okay?"
"Okay," Aurora agreed sweetly, waving, "See you soon, Mommy."
Ella smiled, but her face grew serious as she left the room. She asked Brian, "He's not angry, is he?"
"No, Mr. Thomas is pretty calm. Just do your best!" Brian assured her.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Dorian sneaked into the living room, tiptoeing along the wall to peek at Joshua sitting on the sofa. The man in the suit looked strong and capable—someone who could protect Ella.
Dorian was about to approach when Ella's voice came from behind, "Dorian, go upstairs and keep Aurora company."
Dorian jumped, standing up straight. Seeing Joshua look over at the sound, he smiled awkwardly, "Hello, my name is Dorian. I'm two years old."
In truth, he was already three, but Ella had instructed the children to say they were two to prevent people from realizing she'd gotten pregnant immediately after going abroad. As premature babies who had absorbed nutrients slowly, Aurora and Dorian were quite small, making the deception believable.
Hearing this, Joshua felt inexplicably uncomfortable. He didn't offer Dorian a friendly look, instead sitting with a stern face that clearly said "stay away."
Ella knew Joshua could never like her children. She quickly pulled Dorian over, "Go upstairs and keep Aurora company, okay?"
"No," Dorian refused, his eyes bright as he looked at Joshua, "When we have a guest at home, we should be hospitable. You go cook, Mommy. I'll keep the guest company."
With that, he walked toward Joshua with a smile. Standing before him, Dorian extended his hand like an adult offering a handshake, "Hello, my stepfather. Please take good care of us from now on."