Chapter 5 Hello, I’m Charlie

• The next day, Charles woke up early in the morning. He silently looked at Summer, who was sitting next to him, with a gloomy expression. After a long while, he finally spoke in a babyish voice. “Mommy, can I not meet him?”
• Summer paused slightly when she heard those words. Then, she smilingly asked, “Why?”
• “I-I’m not ready,” he replied, lowering his head.
• Compared to other children his age, he was a relatively mature child—he had his own opinion in whatever he did. When she arrived last night, he had yet to sleep. He had been stubbornly waiting for her arrival. Once she told him that Edward was coming to the hospital today to meet him, he had reacted in a similar manner—silently and expressionlessly.
• He was her son, so she understood a little bit of what he was thinking. Although Edward had completely ignored the two of them for the last three years, she didn’t want him to think badly of Edward. “Charlie, are you mad at your daddy?”
• “Mommy, Daddy won’t like me.” While talking, his originally pale and small face paled even further.
• Summer looked at her son and felt her heart pounding slightly. Why did Charlie say that so suddenly? “Charlie, you haven’t even met your daddy. How do you know that he won’t like you?”
• “He definitely won’t like me.” His tone became firmer than before.
• “Charlie, I don’t know why you think that way. Why would your daddy carefully prepare a gift for you every holiday if he doesn’t like you?” she patiently explained, holding his hand gently.
• The young child had a pale complexion due to his illness. However, his ink-black eyes were identical to Edward’s. Every time she looked at them, she would unexpectedly sigh in her heart. Blood ties are truly amazing.
• “Charlie, you’re such an adorable and considerate child. I’m sure your daddy will love you.” Seeing his unhappy expression, she turned around and leaned back against the bed. She hugged him in her arms and continued, “Charlie, do you not believe what I say anymore?”
• “I believe you.”
• “Then, why don’t you tell me the reason why you think that your daddy won’t like you?”
• Upon hearing that question, Charles frowned and considered the question seriously. Summer watched him, feeling pained. At the same time, she couldn’t help thinking about the incident last night. I just ran out like that last night. I wonder if Edward will come today. I’m scared that he might pull some tricks during the medical checkup today because of last night’s incident. I can’t read that icy man’s intentions, so I honestly don’t know what he might do. The only worry I have right now is that he might not come today or he might come but refuse to save Charlie. If that happens, what will happen to Charlie?
• “Mommy, I just haven’t prepared myself to meet Daddy yet.” After considering it for a while, he suddenly spoke up with a frown. Ever since I was born, I’ve only ever had Mommy by my side. I’ve never seen Daddy before. Mommy might think that I know nothing, but I actually know many things. He understood many things but didn’t want to talk about them. That was because she would be very worried if he did. Every time I get bullied by my friends in kindergarten, they will say that their parents called me an ‘unwanted child’! Besides, I also overheard the conversation between Great-Grandma and Mr. Hopkins last time. All the adults think that I know nothing because I’m just a child, but I know—the truth is that Daddy doesn’t want me! He doesn’t want me, so why is he coming to meet me now?
• “Charlie, not everything in life will give you time to prepare yourself to face them. Besides, the person you’re meeting is your daddy. What else do you need to prepare?” While she was trying to counsel him, she suddenly heard a knock on the door.
• “Charlie, I came to visit you.” Before Summer could stand up to open the door, Rosie opened the door and walked in. Sebastian and Edward followed behind her.
• Summer felt her breath catching in her throat when she came face-to-face with Edward so abruptly. However, she quickly masked her reaction.
• “Great-Grandma!” Charles happily greeted Rosie with an adorable child-like smile.
• Rosie felt her heart clenching with distress at the sight of him. Sitting by the bedside, she reached out to stroke his hair. “You’ve suffered a lot in the hospital, Charlie. It makes me very sad.”
• “Great-Grandma, you don’t need to worry about me. When the doctor came to examine me just now, he told Mommy that I’m in good condition! If you don’t believe me, you can ask Mommy!”
• Upon hearing those words, both Rosie and Summer felt sad. He is such a well-behaved child. He already knows how to ease other people’s worries at such a young age.
• Turning away slightly, Rosie suddenly remembered Edward’s presence. Thus, she quickly composed her emotions before holding his hand and saying, “Charlie, look! See who I brought here for you! Didn’t you tell me that you missed your daddy? Your daddy is back now! Are you happy, Charlie?”
• The originally cheerful atmosphere immediately turned extremely awkward due to her overly abrupt introduction of Edward. She glanced at Charles, then glanced at Edward. When she saw that they weren’t saying anything, she began to feel worried.
• On the other hand, Summer instantly recalled the conversation she just had with Charles. Without waiting for Rosie to say anything else, she stepped up with a smile and said to Charles, “Are you happy, Charlie?”
• Upon hearing Summer’s voice, Charles finally smiled at Rosie and replied, “Great-Grandma, thank you for bringing Daddy here.”
• After saying that, he turned his gaze to Edward, who had not spoken a single word since he walked into the hospital ward. The tall man in front of him was somebody he had seen multiple times in newspapers, magazines, and on TV. However, it was his first time meeting this man in person. This man is my daddy… The daddy that doesn’t want me! He had to admit that he couldn’t help becoming rather nervous when he saw his father standing in front of him. He looks like he just walked out of the TV screen. He didn’t even dare to blink, for fear that the man in front of him might disappear like before if he did.
• Edward was dressed in the same fashion as yesterday—he wore a handmade black suit. He was at least 1.85 meters tall and had good posture. His beautiful eyes were as black as ink and they were shining with a sharp, cold light. His lips were moderately full—he had good looks and a firm, confident expression. He is the ideal daddy that I’ve always imagined in my head! I… really like this man. But… he doesn’t want me!
• Charles’ silence caused the atmosphere in the entire hospital ward to turn gloomy. Despite that, Edward didn’t look like he had any intention to break the silence. The two of them simply studied each other silently. Just when Summer was starting to become worried, Charles slowly said, “Hello, Daddy. I’m Charlie.”