“Sure!” Eagle agreed to it without hesitation.
Tommy gaped in disbelief. “Isn’t that dangerous?”
“I’ll be guarding you all the while,” Eagle replied.
Tommy was speechless-where was the fun in that?!
“You’re running my childhood,” he huffed, putting his hands on his hips.
“You could play something less dangerous,” Eagle told him. “I promised your mother I’ll protect you from harm. Do you understand?”
“Nope,” Tommy said.
Eagle did not explain further either.
Giving in, Tommy asked, “What isn’t dangerous?”
Eagle thought about it, but Tommy soon thought of something.
He started to tie little knots on Zachary’s head.
Eagle stood by and watched quietly, but eventually could not keep it in and turned to hide his chuckle.
Zachary was speechless.
“Abigail Bernstein!!!” he bellowed.
In the study, Abigail thought Zachary was still trying to get her to free him, and she put on her headphones.
Tommy blinked at Eagle. “I’m bored.”
Eagle was at a loss for words.
Was the boy really that hard to handle?
How long had it been?
“How about some basketball?” he suggested.
Tommy happily nodded. “Okay!”
As Eagle started to leave with him, Zachary snapped, “Eagle! Let me go!”
“I only follow orders from Mrs. Althoff,” Eagle replied.
“Abigail!!!” Zachary growled.
Abigail did not leave the study even as Zachary shouted until his voice turned hoarse.
She finally came outside at night and immediately found Zachary had his hair tied up into little knots.
It was simply ridiculous-he looked just like a porcupine!
“What happened here?” She walked up to him, loosening the knots.
“Let me go, Abigail,” Zachary said then. “I won’t go looking for Lulu now-l have a bone to pick with your son and Eagle!”
Abigail came to a realization right then. ‘Tommy did that?’
Still, she soon realized that only a child would do something so nonsensical.
“Let me go already!” Zachary urged.
“Swear you won’t go looking for Lulu and I will,” Abigail said.
“I swear…’
Abigail undid the hair knots while waiting for him to swear it… but that was all he said.
Speechless for a moment, she said, ‘Swear it.”
“I just did,” Zachary replied, holding her gaze.
Abigail said nothing, and rose to her feet. “You can keep enjoying the couch, I guess!”
“You women are troublesome.” Zachary sighed feebly.
“Lulu is a woman too. Why would you like her so much?’ Abigail asked in return.
Zachary was at a loss for words and frowned. “Fine, I give in—I really can’t beat you in an argument. I swear I won’t go looking for Lulu, or…”
Abigail stared at him. “Or, what?”
Zachary pursed his lips. “I’d choke on my food and drown from drinking…”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Can’t you be more direct?” Abigail pointed out.
“Do I have to swear by my death?” Zachary complained.
Abigail was stumped but dropped to a crouch to look him in the eye. “I’m not being cruel, but you know that Lulu has a family now.
How much did she yearn for a quiet life ever since her mother died and her father basically abandoned her? It took her so much to get the life she wanted, and do you think I’m doing right by her if that changes because of you?”
Zachary listened this time, and his expression was serious. “I just wanted to see her… no, the child. I don’t want to affect her, but
I just want to look at the child. That’s all.”
Abigail finally released him. “You’ll have the chance.”
Zachary would agree-but there was no telling how long that would take.
“You’re a mother, Abigail. You should understand parental love-“
“You’re not the father, Zachary,” Abigail told him sternly.
Zachary was silent for a moment and clutched his chest. “You’re really hitting where it hurts.”
“Just wanted to make you see reality,” Abigail said.
“I always have, alright? Why’d you think so badly of me? Did I harass Lulu the last time I was near her?” Zachary demanded.
Abigail turned quiet, so Zachary continued even as he flexed his wrist. “Why don’t you trust me at all? Am I that cold and useless?
Whatever. I won’t hold this against you, but I’m going to murder your son now. Don’t you defend him.”
Abigail blinked, but she rose to her feet and returned to her study, saying, “I wont interfere.”
Right now, the only thing she could do was to sacrifice Tommy, all while telling herself that sons were born to be betrayed.
Yes, that must be it.
Meanwhile, Zachary tugged at his hair, which was not straightening out so soon after being just tied up.
He looked as if he had it permed!
He did not bother with that just then, since he was in his own home and did not have to mind his appearance.
Meanwhile, Eagle was teaching Tommy basketball.
Tommy was serious for once, since he was actually interested.
Naturally, he was playing with a kid-sized stand, and he certainly had the form.
However, he soon noticed Zachary approaching, and his danger sense promptly kicked in.
“We have to go, Eagle. Uncle Zachary is coming,” he quickly said.
Eagle frowned-Zachary was still supposed to be tied up.
Still, he turned and saw that the man was really coming at them, and he quickly picked up Tommy while quickly running away with his incredible physique!
Zachary yelled from behind, “Do you think you can keep running forever?!”
Eagle was confused-he was positive that Zachary would never free himself after with the knots he tied around him. ’How did you free yourself?
Someone must have done it!
Zachary chuckled coldly. “You’ve been betrayed.”
Tommy blinked his big, bright eyes. “By who?”
“Your mommy, of course!” Zachary snapped, not bothered to give chase.” Now get over here like a good boy, and I won’t make it hurt. Get stubborn with me, and you’ll get a spanking!”
Tommy’s little jaw hung open. “You’re terrible, Uncle Zachary.”
“Only because it’s you-or did you forget what you did to me?” Zachary growled, sitting down on the stairs and beckoning, “Get over here.”
Tommy, however, turned toward Eagle. “Do you think the two of us can beat him?”
“I can do it myself,’ Eagle replied.
The exchange left Zachary speechless, while Tommy confidently put his hands on his hips. “Get over here.’
“You brat!’ Zachary snapped. “You should behave, but you want a fight instead? I see you really want a spanking!”
Tommy simply slid closer to Eagle.
He always thought that Eagle was too strict with him, but standing beside the man now felt safe, since Eagle loomed like a mountain wherever he stood.
“You can’t get me,” Tommy mocked as he made silly faces at Zachary.
Zachary was at a loss of words.
Was he really being bullied by a child?
This was simply tragic. How far had he fallen?!
“Whatever.” Zachary snorted. “I won’t get petty with a child.’
He got up, dusting his rump before returning inside the house.
Tommy poked at Eagle’s leg and said, “Oh, he gave up.’
Zachary almost slipped and fell at the boy’s words.
Pursing his lips, he wheeled on Tommy and snapped, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
Tommy promptly hid behind Eagle and stayed around the man ever since, even during dinners. After all, he knew that only Eagle could protect him.
Sheryl found that weird at first, since the boy was really afraid of Eagle.
And now, he was clinging to Eagle more closely than he did with his parents!
“Uncle Eagle,” Tommy then said. “Can I sleep with you tonight?”
Everyone around the table was stunned, and Sheryl could not help asking,” What’s gotten into you, Tommy?”
Tommy, however, could not care less what others thought, and he tugged at Eagle’s sleeve. “Okay?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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