Chapter 38
“Yes, son, he's a good man,” Lilian said sincerely.
Although Ethan was very cold toward her, he never hit her or scolded her. In fact, she only heard him say hurtful words on the day he signed the divorce papers.
“I see,” Theo agreed slowly and continued. “Did you guys split up because he cheated on you?”
“Theo, where did you hear that?” Lilian almost choked when she heard his question.
“Mom, I didn't hear it from anyone, but I read it...” Theo explained, frowning.
He didn't understand why his mother seemed shocked by the word “cheated.”
“What article did you read to learn that word?” Lilian began to worry, as she had made sure his iPad had restrictions on certain words and age ratings.
“Did you change the settings on your iPad and your computer?” Lilian asked, even though she knew the answer, because Theo couldn't change them because only she knew the password.
"No, Mom. Why are you so shocked? It's a normal word, even for a kid my age.“ He said calmly, and when he saw that his mother's expression hadn't changed, he continued. ”Actually, I read an article called ‘Reasons why single mothers raise their children alone,’ and one of the reasons, I remember, was that the husband was cheating." He explained.
“Theo, make sure you don't read or watch anything inappropriate for your age, or mommy will take away your iPad and laptop! Forever!”
“I promise, mom! I also know that cheating is bad, but how did daddy cheat on you?” Theo asked again when he saw her getting up from the bed.
“Cheating isn't as simple as you think, dear. However, I think it's best we don't talk about it!” Lilian feared teaching something inappropriate to Theo, who became even more curious.
“Okay, so my dad was really cheating on you, right?”
“Theo, I didn't say that, so don't try to twist my words!” She smiled, realizing that the little man was trying to lure her into his trap to find information about his father. “Your father and I are divorced, but I can't tell you why we decided to end our marriage and live apart, not now.” Lilian explained calmly. “Okay, son, you need to go to sleep now, and stop playing with your iPad.”
“Mom... Wait... Can I ask you one last question?”
“Are you sure this will be the last one?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Yes... I promise.” Theo nodded.
“Okay, go ahead.” Lilian said, feeling defeated, because her son was too cute to deny him his last question before bed.
“Is my dad a mafia boss famous for his good heart?” He asked, and Lilian almost choked.
“What? No!” She took a deep breath before answering. “He's a businessman, and that's okay, son... that's all for today.” Lilian said and turned off the light. “Don't try to open your iPad!”
“Good night, Mom. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, and sleep well...” She closed the door.
Lilian stood in front of Theo's room for a moment, put her hands on her chest, and took a deep breath.
After talking to her son about his father, she felt relieved, but Lilian didn't know why she was so upset when she heard the words “betrayal” come out of her son's little mouth. Only this time she realized that maybe it was because those words triggered something she had buried deep in her heart!
Memories from six years ago slowly danced through her mind when she found out that Ethan had another woman, and his other woman was also pregnant.
Lilian shook her head before finally walking toward her bedroom.
The next morning, they left early, and after half an hour, they finally arrived at her grandfather's house, which was located between the cities of Araraquara and Américo Brasiliense. Despite being far from the city, it offered breathtaking views of the mountains and the lake.
Due to its beautiful natural conditions and notoriously clean air, countless rich and famous people own properties in this region, as it is located in the center of the state of São Paulo, and both Carlos and Nelson grew up and were raised there until they moved to the capital.
Lilian used to visit her grandfather when she was little and during vacations, and it was also in this place that Lilian met Anna, who took care of her grandmother. However, when Lilian's grandmother died, Anna began to take care of Lilian as her nanny and moved to her family's home in the capital.
“Are you happy to finally be back here?” Lilian looked at Anna and asked.
“Yes, ma'am, after so many years, I'm finally back.” Anna nodded enthusiastically.
Since moving to the capital with Lilian, Anna had never returned home, and this place held so many memories for Anna, as she had spent her entire adolescence living here.
“Me too, Ana!” said Lilian, feeling melancholic and remembering her grandmother. "The last time I came here was when Grandma died.
No words came out of Anna's mouth, but her eyes shone with sadness as she remembered her former boss.
“Let's stay here for a few days before we leave for the capital for good!” said Lilian, then looked out of the car, but less than a minute after enjoying the scenery, she heard Théo calling her.
“Mom, why does this place look like our house in France?” said Théo as he looked at the landscape full of pine trees.
“Yes, you're right, this place is similar to our house there,” she nodded.
“So, there will also be a lake behind Grandpa's house?” asked Théo, excited, as he used to go fishing with Anna in the lake behind their house.
"Yes, little Théo, there is a large lake behind your great-grandfather's house. We'll have fun there." Anna's eyes sparkled, and she couldn't wait to go fishing with Theo.
Lilian said nothing and tried to enjoy the view from the condominium to recall her childhood memories of that place. Shortly thereafter, their car finally parked in front of the two-story house, and she could see her grandfather and Nicholas waiting for them at the entrance.
After unloading all the luggage, Lilian thanked the driver and asked him to return to the hotel, as she would not be using their car during her stay, since she had no plans to go anywhere. In fact, she would be staying at home before leaving for the capital.
When Lilian turned around, she didn't see Théo and his grandfather; in fact, she only saw Nicholas and Anna carrying their luggage into the house.
“Anna, where's Théo?”
“Ma'am, your grandfather already took him inside!” Nicholas replied.
She immediately entered the house and found her son sitting on his grandfather's lap, near the fireplace, and Lilian was speechless.
She hadn't even had a chance to introduce them officially, but they seemed friendly, talking and laughing as if they had known each other for a long time.