Dax felt excited, waiting for his mother to answer his curiosity.
Bella smiled slightly as she ruffled Dax’s hair gently before saying, "Dax, I’m sorry I never talked to you about him before. Because it’s hard for me—" her voice trailed off as she felt something prick her heart.
"It’s okay, Mom. I understand," Dax replied with a warm smile. He didn’t want to see his mother sad, so he held her hands and tapped them gently.
Bella actually felt even more sad seeing how considerate her son was. She tried not to cry in front of him.
"Your father, he’s not dead, if you think maybe he is," Bella took another deep breath. She hadn’t expected it to be this difficult to talk about Tristan before Dax. "And he is also from this country."
Dax’s eyes lit up.
"But, my dear, I will not tell you his name for now," she said, only to see his eyes turn gloomy.
Dax didn’t know how to respond. He just nodded at his mother, even though he felt disappointed.
"I’m telling you this because, in a few days, you will probably meet your great-grandpa from your father’s side. So, I think by then, you will get to know a lot more about your father and his family," she says.
After saying those words, Bella felt the weight on her shoulders lifted. She couldn’t help but praise herself for overcoming her worries, even though she hadn’t said it in detail.
Dax was surprised to learn this. His smile widened, and the light in his eyes became even brighter. However, he is worried about hearing wrongly.
He repeated her mother’s words to ensure, "Mommy, you said I also would meet my great-grandpa from my father’s side?"
"Yes." Bella was amused at how excited her son was. It was the first time she had seen this side of him — he looked so cute with his spring-like smile.
She regrets not telling him about his father sooner.
"Are you that happy about meeting him in person?" Bella smiles while rubbing his chubby cheek.
Instantly, Dax’s smile fades, and his expression slowly changes to calm.
’Gosh!! He is back to Tristan-mode-on again, cold and distant.’ Bella laughed in her heart, looking at how fast her son’s expression changed.
"Yes. I’m excited to meet another family besides you and Grandma Noora. Thank you, Mom, for letting me meet Great-Grandpa Donovan. And... What was his first name again? You told me his first name a couple of weeks ago.
Can you tell me again, Mom?" He said in his calm, distant tone.
"Oh, nice try, little man." Bella chuckled while ruffling her hair. "I told you I will not name names now. If I did, I know you would search for him all night. And you probably would stay awake until morning. Remember, we should wake up early to visit your Great-Grandpa’s house tomorrow, and we need to look fresh. Only sleeps would make us fresh, remember?" She explains to him softly.
Dax, "...".
’Oh no…Mom knows my trick!?’ He silently sighs.
"Is there anything you want to ask before bed?" Bella asked again before returning to her bedroom.
Dax pondered for a moment. He wanted to ask many things, but he was sure that even if he asked, she would not answer because the question was relatively straightforward.
After a few moments, he sought a way to find only a little clue about his father. Something crosses his mind.
"Mommy, is my father a good man?"
"Of course, he’s a good man," Bella said sincerely. Even Tristan was very cold to her, but he never hit or scolded her. She only heard him say hurtful words the day she signed the divorce papers.
"I see," Dax slowly nods, then continues, "Is he cheating on you?"
Bella almost choked when she heard his question, "Little man, how do you know that kind of word?"
"Mom, I didn’t hear from anyone. But I read it..." Dax explained, frowning. He was confused as to why his mother looked shocked about the word ’cheating.’
"What article did you read to learn that word?" Bella started worrying. She has ensured the iPads and laptops she gives are safe for children.
"Did you change your iPad and laptop settings?" Bella asked, even though she knew the answer. Dax won’t be able to change it because only she knows the password.
"I didn’t mom. Why do you look so shocked? That’s just a normal word. Even for a kid my age," he said calmly.
When he saw she said nothing, he continued, "I read an article — Reasons Why Single Mothers Raise Their Children Alone. — That article discusses why some mothers decide to become single. One reason, I remember, was that their husband was cheating. Isn’t that right?"
Bella was rendered speechless. ’Are you really a four-year-old boy? Why did you read that weird article?’
She made a note in her mind to add forbidden words like these to his gadget.
"Dax, make sure you didn’t read or watch something inappropriate for your age, or Mommy will keep your iPad and laptop! Forever!"
"I promised. I know cheating is bad, Mom. But how was father cheating on you?" Dax asked again when he saw her standing from the bed.
Bella, "..."
"Well, the word cheating is not as simple as you thought. However, talking about it with children your age might not be the best idea." Bella feared she would teach an inappropriate thing to Dax, and Dax became even more curious.
"Alright, so my father was indeed cheating on you, right?"
Bella, "..."
"Oh, my dear Dax, I didn’t say that. Don’t try to twist your mommy’s words," She smiled, realizing this little man was trying to lure her into his trap to find information about his father.
Gosh!
How cheeky.
"Well, your father and I divorced, but I can’t tell you why we decided to end our marriage and live separately...not now. Maybe someday," Bella explained calmly. "Okay, young man, you need to sleep now. Stop playing with your iPad."
"Mommy... Wait... Can I ask you one last question?"
"Are you sure this will be the last?" She narrowed her eyes on him.
He nods.
"Yes... I promise." Dax said while making a V sign to promise her.
"Okay, go on," Bella said, feeling defeated. Her son was too cute to be denied for one last question before bed.
"Is my father a mafia lord famous for his kindheart?"
Bella almost choked.
’Good Heaven! Why does he think his father is a mafia lord?’