Despite his sharp tongue, Joel had always been a man with a soft heart. "Do you know how many times he had told me off? He just won't stop scolding me. If I had not told him that you'll return Olivia to him, I wouldn't have known what to do.""Thank you so much for pulling some strings, Uncle Tucker."Joel waved his hand. "Enough with this. I promised you because I saw the potential in her. If she was useless, I wouldn't have wasted my time on this. "Let's talk about you. Are you really willing to let her go? Don't regret it tomorrow. I'm too old to play games with you youngsters.""Don't worry, Uncle Tucker. I was immature back then. I thought that what I did was for her sake. Now, I understand that loving someone is not fettering her wings but respecting her dreams.""You wouldn't have ended up this way if you realized this sooner. But it's still not too late to make up for your mistakes. You have a long journey ahead.""Got it.""Now, scram. Let's not meet each other anymore.""T
Olivia hurriedly opened the door, wanting to get out of the car.However, Ethan pulled her back. "Liv, since I've entrusted him to the trainer, let's not interrupt his training. The rules say it all here. "If you wanna meet him, you have to wait until he reaches all of his targets for all of the training."Olivia leaned against the window to watch outside. The tall man reached out to Connor. It seemed like he was asking the boy if he needed some rest.After all, Connor was Ethan's son. The trainer would more or less make up an excuse for Connor to rest.Connor didn't take the trainer's hand. "I—I can get up on my own."He slowly got back to his feet.Despite the small frame, there was an enormous strength in him.Once again, he slowly ran forward to keep up with the troop.Olivia didn't know what was on his mind. Even though he couldn't keep up with the troop, he still ran forward with all his might.The guilt grew in her because she felt that she owed him too much. Tears
It was a nearly insurmountable challenge for Connor. He was still so small. It was devastating for him both physically and mentally.The tall and slender boy had a few other kids at his side. He seemed to be the leader of the group. The boy's frame was slender, and his collarbone was very pronounced. It was clear that he had a rough life and was a little malnourished. But the boy didn't possess the naivete of kids his age. His eyes reminded Olivia of an alpha male of a wolf pack. They were filled with ruthlessness and authority. "The kid's name is Titus. He might be young, but he's an orphan we found on the battlefield up north. "He was eating corpses for sustenance when we found him. He often had to fight against vultures for food."Olivia gagged at the thought. "He ate human meat!" "Rotten meat, to be precise. Humans would do anything to survive. He would have eaten dirt if he had to. Titus was the name he gave himself. "He never knew his parents. He was on the verg
Titus was also getting angry. He didn't plan to stoop to the level of a kid before this. He called Connor "Young Sir" because everyone there was an orphan. He always tried to make Connor angry because he was too rebellious. Unlike the other kids, he still hadn't submitted himself to Titus' control after so many days. Titus was always looking for a chance to put Connor in his place and assert dominance over the other kids. Connor was more stubborn than he had expected. Not only did he keep fighting, but he also got more vicious as the fight went on. There was an undying fighting spirit in his eyes. What was wrong with him? Why was he such a tough nut to crack?"You're dead, kid." Titus was ready to get serious. He raised his hand, about to punch Connor in the head. "Stop!"Connor had already closed his eyes in resignation. His weak little body couldn't possibly hold Titus off. At that moment, someone grabbed Titus' wrist. Everyone's gaze fell on the person who had just r
Olivia didn't fail to notice the fear and unease in Connor's eyes. What had she done? Why would her son look at her with those emotions? "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."Olivia hugged Connor and apologized to him repeatedly. Connor didn't know what to do."Why … Why did you come here?""My baby, Mom is so sorry. I'm sorry for coming so late.""Mom?" Connor thought he heard wrong. Did Olivia really address herself as his mother?"My dear child, I was mistaken about some things. I only managed to find you again now. It's all my fault."Olivia hugged Connor tightly as tears rolled down her chin and fell on his neck. The hug was the best solace for both of them at that moment. Ethan had someone bring them a first aid kit. "Liv, we should tend to his wounds first."Olivia let go of Connor and looked at his injuries with a pained expression. "It must hurt, right?""It doesn't hurt." Connor stared at Olivia with a dreamy look, like she would disappear before him if he blinked.
Olivia realized that Connor was very sensitive. He was very insecure because he feared losing his mother after finally getting to meet her again. Olivia comforted him patiently. She told him repeatedly how much she loved her. She even made him some delicious food. Connor ate a lot. He didn't stop even when he was completely stuffed. Ethan had to take away his cutlery to make him stop. Connor knew he wouldn't get to eat Olivia's cooking every day. "Come here, Connor."Olivia sat down on the windowsill and beckoned at Connor. He went to her obediently, and she pulled him into her embrace. They could see a great view from the window. Connor finally noticed a different side to the training grounds from a different angle. It was probably because his mother was with him.Olivia's lips curved into a smile. "I was the one who came up with your name. You were born with all the love I had to give.""You must've loved Dad a lot back then.""Yeah, I loved him a lot." Olivia didn't li
Connor enjoyed hearing Olivia criticizing Ethan. She was the person who understood him the most. With Marina, she would only teach him how to cozy up to Ethan so that he would stay with them. "But if Dad is so bad, why did you fall in love with him?"Olivia said huffily, "It was because I was stupid. Son, do you know how many people wanted to date me? As many as the fish in the ocean. I was just blinded by his looks.""But if you had married someone else, I wouldn't have been born, neither would my brother and sister," Connor said with disappointment. Olivia immediately changed her tune." Your dad used to be a decent person. He was good to me once. So, when I was pregnant with you, I was very happy every day. I waited for your arrival with joy and anticipation.""What about now? Dad still treats you well. I know Dad has done a lot of things for the sake of your safety, Mom.""Things are different now. I can only promise you that I'll always love you no matter what happens."
"Mom, I'll be good. I won't make you angry ever again. Please don't go. Please stay with me."Olivia fell to the ground after Chloe pulled her away. Even then, she chased after her with a limp. She ran after the car and begged for Chloe to return to her. There was only one thought in her mind. Even though Chloe usually treated her with indifference, she would have a mother as long as Chloe was there. If Chloe left, she wouldn't have a mother anymore. Even if Chloe remained indifferent, Olivia would be happy if she could see her every day. After Chloe left, Olivia hoped for her return every single day. Every day, she would watch other children enviously. They had their mothers to bring them home, mothers who brought them lunch and took part in parent-children activities. She would also envy the children with mothers who brought them to theme parks. And those with mothers to carry them in their arms when they fell over. She knew how sad it was to grow up without a mother. She