Chapter 173
When Theodore pushed open the door, he found a man sitting across from Eliana who looked remarkably like her. ‘Could this be
Ellana, mid–conversation with Isaac, looked up at the sound. Seeing Theodore, she quickly moved to introduce them. “Thandore, this is my But Isaac was already bounding across the room, linging his arms around Theodore. “Theodore, I’ve been dying to meet you”
“Wait, have they met before? Eliana wondered.
Hanging off Theodoro Be a koala, Isaac turned to Eliana. “Ellie, I saw him on the news”
‘That makes sense,” Eliana thought.
Eliana nodded, watching Theodore closely to see how he’d react
After a brief moment of surprise, Theodore realized Isaac wasn’t like most adults, more like a child in an adult’s body, completely guileless.
Though Isaac was clearly excited, Theodore wasn’t used to being clung to by another man. He gently pried Isaac off, almost like moving a piece of furniture. “Stand up straight.”
“Okay.” Isaac shuffled into place, looking slightly embarrassed. “Am I too heavy, Theodore!”
“It’s not about weight.” Not wanting to confuse him, Theodore changed the subject. “What’s y
“Isaac
your name?”
“Right, Isaac, you…”
Isaac’s face suddenly crumpled “Aren’t you gonna call me buddy?”
He’d practiced the nickname all day. If Theodore didn’t play along, he’d be devastated.
Theodore could see the disappointment clear as day on isaac’s face. He had no ability to hide his feelings.
Glancing at Eliana, who was watching hopefully, he thought, It’s just a nickname.”
“Buddy,” he called out.
“Yay!” Isaac’s face lit up, all traces of sadness gone.
Elana let out a quiet breath of relief. She’d worried Theodore might refuse to humor Isaac out of pride, but he’d surprised her.
Once Isaac wandered off to pl don’t mind, do you?”
to play on his own, Eliana finally turned to Theodore. “Isaac showed up unannounced today, so I had to bring him here. You
“I can see how much you care about him. You should have introduced us earlier.” Theodore nodded toward Isaac, who was fogging the bay window and drawing hearts with his finger. “Was his condition present at birth or…”
“Afterwards,” Eliana sighed. “A high fever that wouldn’t come down. He used to be brillant.”
“Maybe there’s still a way to help.”
“My parents said they tried everything, but nothing worked.”
Just then, the phone around Isaac’s neck buzzed.
Eliana frowned. “Theodore, who’s calling?”
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Chapter 173
Urasc squinted At the screen. “It’s Hom”–
At least she hasn’t forgotten him completely, Eliana thought.
Cliana bit her lip. “You should Answer. Don’t let her worry.”
“Okay” Isaac swiped t
Belinda’s voice burst through the speaker. “Isaac So I said a couple of harsh words, and you ran off without a trace? Don’t you know you’re not alt
Isaac glanced at Eliana and Theodore, suddenly bold. “I’m perfectly fine. And I’m staying with Ellie and Theodone. They actually want me here!”
Belinda went quiet for a second, then exploded. “Get home right now. Don’t you dare make a fool of me at Russell Manor
“… …” Isaac worried at his shirt hem, looking flustered. “Am I really that much of an embarrassment? he wondered
Isaac’s phone had a leaky speaker, so Theodore caught every word Belinda said. Noticing Eliana’s fight expression, he stepped forward and motioned for the phone,
The second Theodore held it to his ear, Belinda barked, “Isaac, get home this instant! The Russell family may not show it, but they’re laughing at your idiocy. Do you want to shame your father and me?”
Theodore’s tone turned frosty. “Idiotic? Funny, I find him smart enough to know who treats him with kindness.”
Caught red–handed and still raw from what she had done to Elians, Belinda stumbled. “Mr. Russell, I just fesa will be bother. He’s not all there. He has a tendency to make scenes.”
“Are you worried about him causing scenes, or about your own family’s image?”
Belinda’s face went crimson.
“Eliana and I will look after him. He’s staying with us tonight” Theodore returned the phone to isaac.
Isaac lit up. “See? I told you Theodore wants me here.”
Unused to being stood up to, Belinda felt a twist of conflicting emotions but managed to say, “Since Mr. Russell is letting you stay, spend the night. Just try to keep quiet. Better yet, don’t speak at all.”
Once Isaac set the phone down, Eliana checked the time and said, “Isaac, come eat with us downstairs.”
There was a kitchenette on the second floor where she could cook for Isaac alone, but that would make him seem impolite.
In the first–floor dining room, Eliana, who’d always looked after Isaac at Burke Manor, naturally put her brother first.
This created a subtle stir of jealousy in Theodore, Jayden, and even Anthony.
“Isaac, why do you still eat like a messy kid?” Eliana smiled wryly, brushing a breadcrumb from the corner of his mouth.
Theodore suddenly rapped his fork on his plate. “Eliana, serve me some food.”
He admitted he was jealous. Isaac was hogging all her attention.
She turned to face him. “What do you want??
Theodore held her gaze and randomly pointed at the dish beside her.
Chapter 173
Eliana frowned. ‘Aren’t those tomatoes–The fond he couldn’t stand?‘ dhe thought.
Still, she spooned some onto his plate.
When Theodore looked down and the tomatoes, his face went dark.
He wanted to say something, but Eliana was already fussing over Isaac again, leaving him completely ignored
Just then, Jayden called out to Lainey, “Mom, the teacher said my handwriting’s getting better
Lainey jolted. “For goodness‘ sake, Jayden, can you talk normally? I’m proud of you. How much more allowance are you angling for?”
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