Alden clenched his fists.
It was the first time that his mom had spoken to him in a stern tone ever since he could remember.
It was all because of Harold.
Alden pursed his lips, lowered his head, and admitted his mistake. âIâm sorry, Mom. I made a mistake.â
âAlden, go downstairs and tell Mel a story. Iâll help Harold take a shower.â
Adina carried Harold into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.
Alden stared at the door for a while before he turned around and went downstairs.
Ten minutes later, Adina carried Harold downstairs after his shower. âAlden, I let him put on some of your clothes. Do you mind?â
Alden obediently said, âHarold, you look good in that shirt. Itâs my apology gift to you.â
Harold turned to the side.
He did not want to wear Aldenâs clothes, but if he refused to wear them, he could only be naked or wear Melodyâs dress.
Adina patted his head. âAlden already apologized to you. What should you say?â
Harold scoffed.
He would never say, âItâs okayâ!
Two minutes later, as Adina stared at him with a stern gaze, he unwillingly said, âItâs okay, but you canât treat me like that again!â
Alden nodded. âI know that you donât know how to turn on the hot water now. Iâll help you next time.â
Harold was at a loss for words.
He was not talking about that!
Alden was really cunning. He did not seem like Aunt Adinaâs son!
Mel was more lovely.
Harold then went toward Melody like a pug.
Meanwhile, Adina sat down beside Alden and calmly said, âAlden, I know you donât like him.â
âI donât-â
Alden just said two words before Adina interrupted him. âIâm your mother, so I can roughly guess what youâre thinking. Harold is actually quite innocent. Heâs not cunning. Besides, he treats Mel very nicely, and Mel doesnât reject him either. Isnât it great to have one more person who likes Mel?â.
Alden looked at Harold, who was playing puzzles with Mel not far away, and he pursed his lips.
Harold and Melody were stepsiblings, so Melody naturally did not reject him.
It was also because of Haroldâs identity that Alden could not let Harold approach his sister and mother.
Alden lowered his head and held his fingers together. After he remained silent for a while, he said, âMom, Iâm sorry.â Adina stroked his hair, smiled, and said, âDonât worry, I wonât be stolen. You and Mel are my only kids, and I only have love for you. Donât be sad. Go and play with Mel.â
Alden nodded before he walked to the crawling mat in the living room.
When he went over, Harold became alert and hid behind Melody. Aldenâs happy mood sank again. He lowered his voice and said, âYou said that you would protect Mel. Is this the protection you meant?â
When he was in danger, he did not protect Melody but hid behind her.
Harold felt embarrassed as he touched his own nose and scoffed. âYouâre a danger to me, but not to Mel. Is there anything wrong with me hiding behind her?â
Alden did not reply. He just sat beside Melody.
Harold felt a little scared when he saw Alden.
His threat in the bathroom sounded hilarious, but he still felt that Alden was capable of such things.
He discreetly moved a few steps away from Alden.
Right then, the doorbell outside the villa rang.