- Leave Your Mother
Emily looked back at Rowan. “Then, do you want to come to our birthday party, Great Grandpa? We haven’t planned the details yet, but I guarantee it will be a fun party. This time, Louis and I each will get a birthday cake. But we will still blow out the candles together.”
“Emily’s right!” Louis continued as he shifted closer. The twinkle in his eyes grew brighter. “I can imagine there will be lots of food and games. We’re going to have fun. Then, we will take a photo together. There’s me, Emily, Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, and Great Grandpa!”
As the twins continued to chatter, Rowan closed the book roughly. The sound jolted the toddlers.
“Kids, are you proud to be part of the Harper family?”
Hearing that serious tone, Frank’s back straightened. His breath hitched. The grandfather’s expression was displeased again. Could
his worries be real now?
While the twins blinked in surprise, Rowan straightened his finger You should know one thing. Being part of the Harper family is not only a matter of pride, but also an honor accompanied by a sense o responsibility.”
Frank was about to interrupt, but Louis was quicker. “What responsibility?”
“There is a great reputation that must be maintained. For so long, the Harper family has been known as the strongest and most dignified family. We are an icon of perfection. Now, do you know what to do?”
While Frank sighed heavily, the twins fell into deep thought.
“Daddy and Great Grandpa always dress well and neatly. Do we have
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appearance melt au that poopic teapot us
too?” Emily guessed.
“And we also have to behave ourselves? Daddy and Great Grandpa
always stand straight and speak firmly,” Louis continued with round
eyes.
Rowan snorted lightly. “Your answers are correct, but there is something much more important than those two things.”
“What?” The twins stretched out their necks.
“Keep our circle good. Don’t let bad people get close to our family.”
While Louis and Emily furrowed their brows, Frank whispered, Grandpa, that’s enough. Don’t incite them to hate others.”
“I didn’t instigate them,” Rowan replied without burden. After returning his gaze to the toddlers, he continued, “You agree that relationships can influence someone’s character, right?”
Despite his doubts, Louis nodded. “Yes, Mommy once said that we have to be careful in making friends. We should keep our distance from naughty friends.”
“Yes, that’s true,” the old man said, somewhat reluctantly. “Being
friends with bad kids can make you become naughty too. So, if you want to maintain the honor and dignity of the Harper family, do you know what kind of people you should avoid?”
Frank could no longer remain silent. “Grandpa, enough.”
However, Rowan kept speaking, “Poor people who have nothing to be proud of, like your mother.”
The twins’ lips suddenly trembled. Their eyes flickered, radiating disappointment.
“Why did you say that, Great Grandpa? Mommy is not poor. She
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yi U, CIOLIICO,
Mommy even gave me a beautiful dress and a crown.” Emily started to pout.
“But you can’t get everything you want, right? You even have to collect coupons to be able to eat ice cream at the library,” Rowan laughed sarcastically.
Louis’ puffed out his cheeks. As his heart got hotter, his face was turning red. “But Mommy has a lot to be proud of. Mommy is smart, kind, and she has children as cute as us.”
Rowan laughed again. “Is that enough to make people appreciate her? No, Kids. Therefore, to be part of Harper family, leave your mother.”
“I thought you have become good again. But he haven’t?” Emily shook her head with a trembling voice.
“Mommy taught us to be polite to you. But if you still insult Mommy like this, I won’t be polite.” Louis stood up on the bed. His head was slightly bowed and his eyes were angled upwards. “We will never leave Mommy. She has worked hard to give birth and care for us. She is the most important person in our lives.”
Biting her lip, Emily stood up as well. “That’s right. If it’s like this, we’d better stay as Emily and Louis Martin. There’s no point in joining the Harper family if Mommy doesn’t exist.”
Hearing that defense, Rowan’s breath began to rumble. “Think wiser, Kids. We are talking about the future, not the past. If you want to have a better life, you have to leave your mother and choose to be with me and Frank.”
“You’re the one who should think wiser. We are good children. Good children never leave their mother.”
Emily nodded slightly. “Louis is right. Besides, Daddy has also
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While Rowan clenched his jaw, Frank got the twins off the bed. “Kids, can we go now? Let your great-grandfather rest so his mind is clear.”
“His mind is really dirty, Daddy. I don’t know how we can clear it,” Louis said, glancing sharply.
“Never mind, Louis. Let’s not think about him anymore. I’m tired. We should think about something more useful, like our birthday party.”
Frank smiled wryly. His heart was heavy watching his children have to endure such disappointment.
“Emily is very wise. We had better plan the party. Now, say goodbye to Great Grandpa.”
Emily pursed her lips. Her shoulders drooped listlessly. “See you, Great Grandpa. I hope you’ve changed when we meet again.”
“See you, Great Grandpa. I hope your heart and brain get better quickly.”
Rowan was reluctant to answer. He looked away, confirming that he stood his ground. When Frank and the twins were out of there, he
turned to the assistant.
“When is their birthday?”
“Three more days, Sir.”
The old man snorted. After throwing the book on the table, he
muttered, “How dare they deny what I said? This is the consequence when children are raised by a weak woman. They become
disobedient.”
“Do you intend to attend the party, Sir?”
Rowan’s eyebrows rose. After a blink, he sighed. “Let’s see. I want to focus on my recovery first.”
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The old man fixed his position and closed his eyes. His gesture was very calm. However, silently, he continued to wonder. What could make the twins hate their mother?
***
“Daddy, could it be that Great Grandpa is trying to poison Mommy again? He seemed very angry earlier.”
Frank turned to the little girl he was holding. “I don’t know, Princess. But I promise, whatever your great grandfather’s evil plan is, it won’t work.”
“Are we impudent for going against an old man?” Louis asked as he looked up.
Frank smiled at the toddler who was clutching his shirt. If only his left hand was free, he would have pinched his son’s chubby cheek. “I think you dealt with him well earlier. You still seemed polite. Mommy must be proud of you.”
Louis tilted his head and smiled at Emily. “We did it, Emily.”
The little girl also curled up her lips. But, before she could elevator doors opened. A second later, a woman slipped in a hugged Frank.
the
