Inside, he saw Kristie playing games with Carl in the living room. The heartwarming sight rekindled his previously dead heart and made it beat once again.
“Carl.”
Carl looked up and widened his eyes at the sight of Theodore. Leaping up like a spring, the boy ran over and exclaimed, “Daddy!”
Theodore lifted Carl off the ground and was surprised to find him heavier than before. A smile spread across Theodore’s face, which had been cold moments prior. “You’ve put on some weight and grown a bit taller,” he commented.
“Of course! I trained hard every day, wanting to be as tall as you!” Carl revealed in delight. He was elated to see his father alive and well after six months of being apart from each other.
As Theodore was alone, he asked, “Where is Mommy?”
Hearing that, Theodore stiffened and brought him to the living room. In a gentle voice, he explained, “Your mother is still unconscious. Don’t you worry, though. Jeremy is capable, so she’ll be back soon.”
Carl pouted in disappointment. “Yeah. Mr. Jeremy told me she won’t wake up so soon as she was seriously injured.” He quickly perked up and chirped, “It’s fine. You’re back, so I can wait a bit more!”
Theodore ruffled his hair. “I didn’t protect you and your mother well.”
“That’s not true.” Carl shook his head. “You’re amazing. You’ve always been my idol! I know some things are out of your control. Oh, Daddy. I made sandwiches today. You must try some!”
Carl jumped off the couch and retrieved one of the sandwiches he made from the refrigerator, offering it to Theodore.
Kristie leaned over and whispered, “Theodore, I wouldn’t recommend eating that.”
“Is it not delicious?” Theodore noticed that the sandwich looked delicious, so he took one bite. “My son made it…”
He started coughing violently in the next second.
Opening the sandwich, he discovered that it was full of mustard sauce!
Kristie shrugged, her expression betraying her delight. “I did warn you, but you insisted on eating it.”
“Why did you put so much mustard sauce?” Theodore slapped his son’s head. “I just woke up. Do you want me to end up in the hospital again?”
Carl touched the back of his head and giggled. “I wanted to put some sauce, but too much came out. Mustard sauce isn’t cheap, so we shouldn’t let any of it go to waste. You’ll finish it, right, Daddy?”
Theodore couldn’t bring himself to disappoint Carl.
The taste might be intense and spicy, yet the sandwich was not very large. He gobbled it down in a few mouthfuls.
“Mr. Xavier, you’re a great father.” James came over with a glass of water for him. “Does Mr. Faymon know that you’re back?”
Theodore replied, “I informed him that I was on my way here earlier, so he’ll be here soon. However…”
He gave James the once-over and frowned. “Who are you? Are you Kristie’s new bodyguard?”
“No, he isn’t my bodyguard. He’s my boyfriend!” Kristie hopped over to cling to James’ arm.
“Are you joking?” Theodore gave James another look as his lips twitched. “He’s older than me! Besides, I remember your boyfriend’s name is James, right?”
Before he had gone to Xyperia, Kristie had told him that she was seeing Rayna’s younger brother.
“I don’t know where he is, so I’ve broken up with him!” Kristie waved her hands and muttered in displeasure, “Love isn’t about age. How could you criticize my boyfriend?”
Carl interjected, “Mr. Samson is old. I think that’s a problem, too.”
“Brat, scram!” Kristie punched him playfully.
Theodore couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity when he saw the middle-aged man’s composure. He pondered where he had seen him before.
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