Dax was surprised to see Tristan with his eyes closed; it appeared as if he were asleep.
"Daddy, are you sleeping?"
Tristan was taken aback when he heard Dax’s voice nearby. He turned to see his son, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Have you finished playing with Uncle Max?" Tristan asked, gently holding Dax’s hand, his eyes locked with his son’s beaming gaze.
"Yes. Uncle Max said I can’t sit and look at the monitor for too long, so... we will rest now."
"I see. What Uncle Max said is indeed true..." Tristan glanced at Max, still seated but looking in their direction. He gave him a slight nod, signaling him to take a break.
"Where’s mommy?"
Tristan felt slightly suprised hearing Dax’s question. He didn’t know where Bella was at the moment; his mind was full of thoughts after she left the room.
"It seems like mommy is in her room, resting," Tristan casually replied as he stood from his seat. "Would you like to go find her?"
"Hmm, let’s go, Dad—" Dax said excitedly, eager to inform his mother about the lesson he had received from Uncle Max.
They left the room hand in hand and made their way to the living room.
They didn’t find anyone in there, only Geoffrey. He informed them that Old Donovan and Sinclair had already left to return to their house.
Tristan was left speechless hearing that. How could they come here without notice and leave without even meeting him first?
"How about the young madam? Have you seen her?" Tristan asked, slightly worried that Bella would return to her house after their intense conversation.
"Young madam, she is upstairs. Earlier, she said she was going to rest in her room."
"Okay. Thank you, Goeffrey... You might take a rest. I will call you if I need anything," Tristan dismissed Geoffrey and ascended to the second floor with Dax.
...
When Dax and Tristan reached the second floor, they found her in the lounge, sitting on the sofa, talking with someone on the phone.
Bella immediately ended her call and stood from her seat. She gave an awkward smile at Tristan before turning to see Dax.
"How’s your lesson? Are you having fun learning with Uncle Max?"
"Yes, mommy... Let’s sit there." Dax said, pulled her mother up, and returned to the sofa.
"Bella, you talk with Dax..." Tristan said when he saw them sitting. When their eyes lock on each other, he continues. "I need to check something. Will join you guys later..."
Tristan needs to return to the first floor to find Max. He needed to know about Dax’s progress.
"Okay—" Bella didn’t say much because she still felt awkward talking to him.
After Bella saw Tristan disappear downstairs, she looked at her son again with curious eyes, eager to know about his progress studying with Max.
"So, tell me everything—"
"Mommy, you wouldn’t believe it. Uncle Max is an expert in computers," Dax said, his eyes sparkling. "He’s very skilled and teaches me in a way I can easily understand, unlike my online teacher. Now, I’m declaring Uncle Max as my computer teacher..."
"I’m so happy you finally met your new teacher, baby..." Bella could only smile happily to hear him enthusiastically explain everything he had done with Max.
After a while, Dax finished explaining, but suddenly, his expression turned slightly gloomy and worried.
"Baby, why do you look worried?"
"Mmm... Mommy... I want to ask you something." Dax hesitated, fearing his mother’s reaction.
"What is it?"
"Mom, can I come here daily to play and learn in my computer room?" Dax asked.
Bella was slightly surprised.
She had plans to bring Dax here only on the weekends. She couldn’t visit Tristan’s house daily; they were strangers now, not a couple as before.
However, after observing Dax’s expression, Bella noticed a significant difference from his usual demeanor. His eyes shone, and his smile was broader than ever when he spoke of learning the computers with Max.
Not wanting to ruin her son’s joyous moment, Bella decided not to object to anything he said.
"Baby, even though I would like to let you come here every day, you know this is your father’s house, not mine, right?"
He nodded.
"So, if you want to come here daily, you should ask your dad for permission..." That was the only answer she could give for now.
While she couldn’t stop Dax from coming here daily, she needed to talk to Tristan about the best way to meet their son’s needs.
Bella already had many plans for Dax to take private courses on weekdays.
She intended to assign him a few classical music teachers and planned to get language and computer teachers.
But it seemed her plans might change drastically. Because now, Tristan was involved in Dax’s life.
Even though they weren’t husband and wife anymore, Bella wanted to co-parent Dax with Tristan. Her son needed a father figure, and she didn’t want to replace him with someone else.
"I’ll talk to Daddy later," Dax said, yawning, his eyes teary and tired.
"It looks like my baby needs to take his nap now. Let Mommy cuddle you..." Bella said as they walked to Dax’s bedroom.
****
Meanwhile, downstairs, Tristan sat with Max in the living room.
"Tell me everything. How is my son’s progress?" Tristan was curious to know.
Max didn’t hurry to explain; instead, he sighed deeply before speaking.
"Boss looks like you’re in trouble now—" He chuckled when Tristan frowned.
"Stop making me curious!" Tristan snapped.
Max silently gulped.
"Boss, I think... Young Master Dax isn’t your son. I mean, not per se. As a four-year-old child, his computer capabilities are reaching expert levels. It almost seems unnatural, magic. And given the amazing things he could do with the computers, the only explanation I could come up with is that I think some computer genius’s soul in the past has transmigrated into Dax’s soul..."
Tristan’s expression froze.
He gazed at Max as if he wanted to slap him on the back of his head. How dare he!?
"Looks like someone just gave up their year-end bonus!?" Tristan said casually, but Max felt like a thunderbolt had struck his head.
"S-sorry, boss. I was too shocked by young master Dax. He’s born with your genius gene..." Max grinned. Then, he started to explain everything that had happened earlier to Tristan.