FULL NOVELXO Chapter 1037 He Felt A Tug In His Heart
Chapter 1037 He felt a tug in his heart
Paloma and Rebecca had returned. They had finished their shopping and were on their way back to the Callahan family's car when they received a call from the butler, Saul. They rushed back even faster, with the driver speeding all the way.
"Alistair!" Rebecca was the first to run towards him as soon as she entered the hall. She saw Alistair curled up in a small ball in the middle of the room and her heart went out to him.
She ran over and picked up Alistair, holding him tightly in her arms. When she noticed his swollen lip, she felt both heartbroken and angry.
"Anthony, are you crazy? How could you be so cruel? No matter what mistake Alistair made, you can't hit him like that! Your own son is meant to be loved, not abused like this!"
Alistair's tiny hands were writhing in pain as he clung tightly onto Rebecca's neck while crying uncontrollably without explaining anything for Anthony.
Anthony didn't bother explaining what happened to Alistair's face but he didn't expect Paloma who came later would walk briskly towards him with a cane in hand. Then she snatched away his whip and threw it heavily on ground.
"Anthony! He is only five years old with delicate skin! How could you do such a thing?" Paloma was furious as she swung her cane twice at Anthony's back.
Anthony did not dodge but resisted silently bearing his grandmother's anger. "Do you know what mistake he made today?"
"I know." Paloma stomped her cane, "He got into a fight right? Which mischievous child doesn't get into fights when they're young? Can't you reason with Alistair?"
"He won't listen to reason," Anthony sighed deeply, "The stick is more practical."
Anthony glanced at Alistair held by Rebecca from afar. "It was Alistair who started hitting people first. He broke someone's left leg bone while also causing nasal collapse and intracranial hematoma. It resulted them being hospitalized too... and grandma, you think it's just minor?"
Paloma froze for several seconds upon hearing this news. "Is it really that serious?"
When she came back earlier, Saul only told her that there had been an incident at kindergarten where Alistair got into trouble by fighting someone, but didn't explain any further details about it. Anthony continued, "Grandma, you know the saying 'spare the rod and spoil the child.' The more you indulge him, the more harm he will do to himself."
Paloma was speechless.
When she hesitated, Rebecca interjected with a firm tone, "I believe Alistair. Besides, he has only been learning taekwondo for two months. How could he have sent someone to the hospital? There must be some hidden reason behind this incident. Anthony, did you really investigate thoroughly?"
Anthony fell silent.
Paloma followed up by saying, "I also believe Alistair."
She turned around and walked over to Rebecca and Alistair's side before asking in a soft voice, "Alistair, don't be afraid with me here. Tell me why you had to resort to violence." Alistair sobbed uncontrollably as tears wetted Rebecca's clothes while she helped him wipe his tears and snot.
"They... they called my dad a criminal and me a bastard! They said I would end up in jail too! They even insulted my mom... it was all so hurtful... I just wanted them to shut up so I hit them but it wasn't intentional... I didn't know they would get hurt like that... I'm sorry..." He cried loudly as he recalled what happened earlier that afternoon, feeling wronged and helpless.
During the fight earlier on, he only focused on winning without considering if he would hurt or not. Now backing home and getting beaten by his father made every part of his body ache terribly. He hugged Rebecca tightly around her neck as he continued crying with long eyelashes covered in water droplets which clumped together making his eyes red all over. There was brief silence in the hall.
Anthony remained silent while furrowing his brows deeply.
Paloma swung her fists twice towards Anthony's chest out of anger before shouting, "Did you hear him? My great-grandson won't bully others!" Her fists lacked strength but Anthony still leaned away while looking down.
"Anthony, they are only five years old. They don't know about our family affairs nor do they understand those harsh words such as 'criminal' or 'bastard'. It is obvious that an adult taught them these things or maybe they heard it from their parents. You should investigate their family instead of punishing your own son right after coming back home."
Anthony turned pale while stiffening up at her words.
Paloma's eyes turned red. She wiped away her tears and said,, "I know you had a hard childhood and experienced a lot of life and death along the way. But Alistair is Alistair, you are you. Don't use your old suffering to deal with Alistair. He's not like you."
After finishing speaking, Paloma hugged Alistair in Rebecca's arms, coaxing in a low voice, "Be good, baby, I love you, and aunt Rebecca loves you too..."
She left the hall holding the sobbing Alistair.
Anthony still stood where he was, didn't stop and didn't speak.
Rebecca stood up slowly, staring at him resentfully, "Anthony, do you still remember what day it is?"
Anthony froze for a moment.
"It's Alistair's birthday, and Mavis's death day. How can you bear to beat Alistair on this day?" She complained loudly, and ran out of the hall angrily, chasing after Paloma and Alistair.
In the hall, Anthony's long eyelashes twitched. Unable to hide the panic in his eyes, his complexion was extremely pale, and his fingertips felt cold.
Alistair's birthday...
In the afternoon, he was still checking the four-wheel drive gift for his son.
The four-wheel drive was not given, but the gift became a family law threat...
He stood there sluggishly, not returning to his senses for a long time.
...
In the afternoon, the sun was just right.
Paloma uncharacteristically pushed away all the guests. Even when Lyra and Malcolm came, she made excuses not to see them.
Alistair had just been beaten. She was busy calming down his emotions, and Alistair had to be checked by a pediatrician. She had no time to let guests in, because she can't let the guests watch the Callahan family's jokes for nothing.
Alistair's fifth birthday was quiet. He covered himself in bed and didn't want to see anyone except Paloma who applied medicine to his palm.
In the evening, Rebecca came in with a small cake and asked a bunch of servants to sing happy birthday to him.
Alistair hadn't seen Anthony for several hours, ate some cake without any appetite, and then fell asleep from exhaustion.
Paloma tucked up the quilt for him before carefully leaving his room.
Anthony stood in the corridor outside and asked in a low voice, "How is it?"
Paloma shook her head and sighed, "It's okay. The doctor checked him out and there doesn't seem to be any physical problems. He probably just felt wronged and had a bad mood. But children's grievances pass quickly, so don't worry too much. He'll probably be fine tomorrow."
She spoke calmly. Although she felt sorry for her great-grandson, she felt the same for her grandson. "Did I hurt you with my cane when I got angry this afternoon?"
"No, Grandma, don't worry."
Paloma lovingly patted his hand back and said, "Anthony, don't be mad at me. I'm not trying to interfere with your education of your son as the person in charge. I just..." "I'm not angry," Anthony interrupted calmly while lowering his dim eyes.
"You're the elder. I won't quarrel with you no matter what happens. Regarding my way of educating Alistair, I may have been too strict for him. I will reflect on it." Hearing this made Paloma feel relieved and she said comfortingly, "It's best you think so."
Paloma left the room to rest in her own bedroom.
The villa hallway was empty and the servants wouldn't disturb them.
Anthony quietly pushed open Alistair's door and turned on the bedside lamp.
The dim yellow light shone on Alistair's tear-stained face where the tears hadn't dried yet.
Alistair was sleeping while crying silently. Even though Anthony turned on the light, he didn't wake up at all.
Anthony stared at his little face that looked exactly like himself or Mavis', unsure of how he felt about it all anymore...
He had scolded him harshly enough already... but having grown up in a privileged environment since childhood might have caused some psychological damage to Alistair...
Sighing softly without making any noise, he couldn't help but feel heartbroken by self-blame more than anything else...
Gently pulling out his son's little hand from under the covers under the light of the lamp gave Anthony a chance to carefully examine the injury in his palm.
Two swollen marks were clearly visible despite Paloma applying medicine earlier. The redness hadn't faded away completely yet.
His heart clenched painfully. Knowing that even though he tried holding back during punishment, he still hit too hard...