Chapter 194
The meaning was clear without a word.
“Alright,” Anthony said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I’ll hold it for you. Just come find me when you’re done.”
Charlotte pressed her lips together, then turned back toward Kenneth. Her mood suddenly lifted and she raised a playful eyebrow. “Let’s go, my brother.”
“Okay.” Kenneth still looked completely lost, then suddenly snapped to attention, eyes wide as he stared at Charlotte. “Wait, what did you just call me?”
“Kenneth, aren’t you my brother?”
“I am… ah!” Kenneth nodded so hard he almost fell over, stumbling a few steps before catching himself. He rushed after her, breathless. “Lottie, say it again. I didn’t catch it the first time!”
Charlotte frowned, turning her face away. Never mind. She definitely didn’t have a brother who was both blind and deaf.
Maybe Kenneth’s shout was a little too loud. The front doors suddenly swung open and an elderly man, dressed like a butler, stepped outside.
“Kenneth, is that you?”
“Yes, yes, come help me,” Kenneth groaned, wincing with pain.
The butler leaned forward, adjusting his glasses as he tried to get a better look. His eyes landed on Charlotte and he froze, recognition flooding his face.
“Oh my… it’s Charlotte
He called into the house, voice breaking with emotion. “Robert, Kevin, Charlotte’s back!”
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from inside. A middle-aged man in casual home clothes appeared, supporting an old man with snowy white hair as they hurried out.
Charlotte, who had never really known what family warmth felt like, just stood there, unsure what to do.
“Charlotte
Her uncle Kevin moved toward her, reaching out a hand, his eyes shining with relief. Before he could touch her, Robert pulled him aside without hesitation.
“She looks just like her mother… exactly the same
Robert squeezed through, grabbing Charlotte’s hand. His aged eyes shimmered with tears and his lips quivered. “Lottie, my sweet girl He held on tightly, voice shaking with emotion, “It’s my fault. I should hav found you sooner. You’ve suffered so much… cough, cough”
Charlotte heard the cough and instinctively set her fingers on his wrist, checking his pulse with a worried frown. “Grandpa, let’s go inside. You shouldn’t be out in the wind.”
Hearing her call him Grandpa, Robert’s happiness was almost too much to contain. He nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, let’s go inside and talk.”
“Lottie, I’m your unc-” Kevin tried to squeeze in, but Robert pushed him away again.
“My dear, Grandpa has so much he wants to say to you.”
“Lottie, I Kevin tried to get closer again, but Robert blocked him right away.
Robert’s face dropped and he pulled
Lottie behind him, protective andza
my
little annoyed. “I’m talking to my granddaughter. Why are you interrupting? Don’t you have your own kids?”
Kevin gazed at Charlotte, looking completely wronged. He trailed after them muttering under his breath. “She’s my niece too She was the treasure he’d been waiting for all these years.
Meanwhile, Kenneth, who had been left standing alone, watched the two men nearly
come to blows over Lottie. His face couldn’t have looked any more sour.