Chapter 369

Mateo’s POV

I thought to myself that this child's rejection of me was probably as strong as his mother's. Perhaps my recent behavior had led to these consequences.

"About that night... I didn't mean it," I suddenly decided to address the issue, attempting to explain what had happened.

Milo looked at me with surprise, his expression filled with confusion.

"You're being so unfriendly today," I continued. "Is it because I wrongly accused your mommy and lost my temper with her?"

I noticed that the moment I mentioned my attitude toward his mother, his displeasure with me became even more apparent. This child truly protected her.

"Still angry? You really are your mother's good son. So protective of her?" I tried joking to lighten the mood.

"When my daddy won't protect my mommy anymore, of course I have to do it myself," Milo replied through gritted teeth.

I casually responded, "Your daddy can't help it. Dead people can't do anything."

"He's not dead," Milo shot back fiercely. "He just turned bad."

"Hmm?" His answer confused me.

"You figure it out yourself," Milo said, unwilling to elaborate.

His expression and words made me laugh involuntarily. Telling me to reflect on myself? This kid was something else.

But honestly, he was right. I shouldn't have treated Serena that way. I'd been too angry at the time, but even before Hattie explained, deep down I knew Serena would never deliberately do something like that. She was too cold-natured to make overtures to anyone. It was far more likely that Hattie couldn't control herself—I knew all too well how much she loved food. But seeing Hattie in such a dangerous condition had made me lose control and vent my emotions.

I admitted to myself that I regretted it. Had regretted it for a while now. I very much wanted to apologize to Serena, though I'd never lowered my head like that in my life. It was just... awkward. But Serena was so clever, wasn't she? Putting on that act like she didn't care, saying she didn't need my apology. Seeming magnanimous while actually leaving me with this unresolved tension, this persistent knot in my chest. This woman understood human nature too well.

"Yes, I was wrong," I finally sighed, admitting it aloud.

"So you know you were wrong. If you know you were wrong, then you shouldn't be with Hattie..." Milo began.

I didn't want to hear him continue, so I interrupted: "This is my apology." I suddenly produced a gold bar and placed it in Milo's hand.

I watched as Milo froze completely, his expression priceless.

"I wasn't sure what to give you, but figured gold is the most practical. It can be crafted into jewelry, holds its value, and importantly, it's an internationally accepted currency—you can liquidate it anywhere," I explained.

"...But I'm just a child? What am I supposed to do with this?" Milo looked utterly bewildered.

"I already said I didn't know what to give you, so I just picked something," I admitted. Truthfully, I had no idea what to give a child as an apology gift.

"I don't want it," Milo tried to return it to me.

"Once I've given something, I don't take it back," I insisted. I knew my attitude remained domineering, but that was my nature.

Milo fell silent, but from his expression, I guessed he was probably cursing my personality in his mind.

"Let's go back inside. It's cold," I urged Milo, not wanting him to catch a chill.

"What about you?" he asked.

"I'll walk around a bit. It's too suffocating in there," I answered honestly. Being in that environment full of social niceties and superficial conversation truly made me feel stifled.

"I find it suffocating too," he unexpectedly agreed with my assessment.

"Then walk with me," I invited him.

To my slight surprise, Milo didn't refuse. So the two of us strolled through the garden, stopping occasionally.

"Do you really like Ms. Langston?" Milo suddenly asked.

The question caught me off guard. "What would a child like you know about liking someone?" I clearly didn't want to answer such a personal question.

"How wouldn't I know? I started helping my daddy pursue my mommy when I was six," he answered with complete confidence.

"Aren't you something," I couldn't help wanting to pat Milo's head, but remembering his rejection last time, I withdrew my hand.

It was strange—I felt an inexplicable affinity for Milo. Was it because of our similar appearances, creating some kind of magnetic pull I couldn't explain? I had never felt the urge to have children, especially considering Hattie's health issues. I'd prepared myself for a life without children. But looking at Milo now, my resolve was wavering. Of course, Hattie's health would always be the primary consideration.

"So do you like Hattie?" Milo persisted.

"I do," I answered honestly. There was no point lying to a child.

"How could you like anyone besides my mommy?" Milo suddenly became agitated.

His question confused me. "...I know your mommy is exceptional, but even the most exceptional person can't be liked by everyone in the world. Everything has its order of precedence."

"But you liked my mommy first!" he insisted.

"I've always liked Hattie," I corrected his misunderstanding.

"What if you discovered that the person you liked first was actually my mommy? Would you be with my mommy then?" Milo continued to press.

"No," I answered without hesitation. In my mind, Hattie was the first person I'd liked, so there was no "what if." I wouldn't even consider that possibility... I just didn't want to.

I noticed the ultimate disappointment that Milo couldn't hide in his eyes. Seeing him like this made me feel strangely uncomfortable, so I added, "Your mommy has many admirers. Don't worry, as long as she's not fixated on your daddy, she'll have many suitors. You could have plenty of step-fathers."

"Is that what you want?" Milo suddenly asked me.

"Hmm?" I didn't understand his meaning.

"You want my mommy to find me lots of other daddies?"

"That's your mommy's business," I said truthfully. It really had nothing to do with me.

"No wonder my mommy hates you so much. You're not worth my mommy's affection at all," Milo's tone grew harsh.

"Your mommy doesn't like me either," I stated calmly. I understood Serena's feelings toward me very clearly.

"Right, my mommy doesn't like you, not one bit. She even finds you repulsive," Milo said loudly. "So stay away from my mommy from now on. Even if you regret it, I will absolutely never open the door for you! Hmph!"

Milo suddenly seemed to lose control, though he wasn't exactly throwing a tantrum. He just looked completely different from his usually precocious self. In this moment, he truly resembled a child.

As I watched Milo's retreating figure, saw his obvious distress, something stirred within me. It was an indescribable feeling. Lately, I'd been experiencing some inexplicable palpitations—not exactly painful, just a constriction in my chest. Could I be developing heart problems too? Next time I accompanied Hattie for her cardiac checkup, I should probably get myself examined as well. It was truly bizarre.

I returned to the main hall. Hattie immediately reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers. "You were gone so long just for a bathroom break?" she asked with concern.

"Can't you be apart from me even for a moment?" I teased her with a smile, but my mind was still on my conversation with Milo.