Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 452

The study door swung open.

Adrian shot out first, his navy school uniform wrinkled and bunched in his hand, swinging carelessly as he went. He'd just endured a stern lecture from his great- grandfather, and the marks of a recent fight still showed on his face. Leonard followed calmly behind, closing the heavy door with a quiet click. The two moved down the long corridor, its gray stone and dark wood echoing with their footsteps -one adult, one child, the younger trailing a bit ahead.

After a while, Adrian suddenly stopped and turned, looking up at Leonard. "Leonard, did I really mess up this time? But Mom wasn't even mad at me."

He'd accomplished what he wanted, all on his own. Why was his great- grandfather so angry?

Leonard paused, glancing down at Adrian's bruised, medicated face. “Master Adrian, your great-grandfather and your mother are both right. Violence might work sometimes, but it won't solve most problems and always brings more trouble. And to be honest, you handled this rather poorly."

If Adrian hadn't been hurt and Mila hadn't rushed in out of worry, the whole messy scene could have easily been picked apart by anyone paying attention. There were holes everywhere, flaws obvious to any outsider.

He considered for a moment, then added, "At the very least, your father would never have handled things this way."

"Dad?" Adrian's eyes brightened, then quickly dimmed. He moved closer, tugging gently at the cuff of Leonard's crisp black suit. “Leonard, what would Dad have done?"

“Sir?” Leonard tilted his head, pausing in thought. “If it were your father, he'd never have given anyone the chance to say a word. This problem would never have reached your mother. It would have been handled so quietly no one would even notice."

Of course, knowing Lysander, no one would dare cause trouble in front of him in the first place. The very thought wouldn't even cross their minds.

"Would he just... scare them into silence?" Adrian asked, tilting his head in confusion.

Leonard shook his head, sighing softly. "There are many ways to keep people quiet, Master Adrian. Resorting to violence is the least effective. Solving problems without bloodshed is always better-it's safer, and far more permanent."

"So how do you do that?" Adrian pressed, curiosity lighting his face.

things," Leonard said, patting his head gently. "Even if you were a little clumsy this time, you still did well. Don't

and I don't even understand what you all are talking about. When people insult me, I get

he fought back,

It always worked before.

your way,"

Leonard, you just said violence

that doesn't mean it never works." Leonard's gaze softened as he met the boy's eyes, his tone firm and reassuring. "Remember this, Adrian: you have a lot of room

Childhood is meant for stumbling, for falling into every pit

if you do mess up,” Leonard continued, "you have to

you lose

Never regret it.

just life-a road paved with both gain and

looked up again. "But Mom will be mad. I don't want her to be angry with me. I don't want

Mom hated violence.

worried or afraid,

over Adrian's bruised cheek. The boy winced at the sting, and Leonard withdrew his hand, voice gentle as

the biggest difference

Adrian could show weakness.

out differently if Lysander had been able to

to Mila. But Lysander never allowed

let

Mila, even

Mila

moments he lowered his guard were always shadowed