Peter clenched his fists tightly.
"Brandon looks a lot like you," Noelle remarked with a smile. During Peter's moment of hesitation, Noelle gently took Brandon from his arms.
As Brandon stirred, looking like he was about to wake up, Noelle softly hummed to soothe him. Brandon smacked his lips, found a comfortable position, and drifted back to sleep.
Peter's gaze softened as he looked at Brandon's small face.
Noticing Peter's change in expression, Noelle smiled. "There's a bond that comes from blood, something that can't be easily severed. If Brandon were someone else's child, would you be furious, Peter?"
Peter was stunned for a moment, and something seemed to click in his mind. He smirked. "You're too observant, Noelle."
"It's just that when we care, we get blinded." Noelle patted Brandon's small arm as she continued to rock him gently. She glanced toward the hospital ward. "Instead of lingering out here, maybe you should focus on what you need to do right now."
Peter nodded, looking past Noelle and into the ward. The love and longing in his eyes were unmistakable.
As Peter walked away, Noelle smiled. After watching him leave, she turned back and entered the hospital ward. "Uncle Henry, Aunt Nancy, look at who I'm holding!"
Henry stood up, his eyes fixed on the child in Noelle's arms. The more he looked at the boy, the more familiar the boy seemed. "Noelle, whose child is this?"
"Dad, this is Brandon, my son," Tania answered as she stood and took Brandon from Noelle's arms. "I'll carry him."
"That's probably for the best! He may still be small, but he's heavy. I only carried him for a short time, and my arms are already tired," Noelle said with a laugh. She then walked over to Nancy. "Aunt Nancy, take a look at Brandon. Isn't he adorable?"
Nancy's face brightened immediately at the sight of the child.
"Tania, Hen, bring him closer so that I can see! Hurry, bring him here!" she said eagerly.
Tania carried Brandon over, and as the group's excited voices rose, the commotion stirred Brandon from his sleep.
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