When a Well-Raised Son Grows Up - Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Carlisle’s expression briefly wavered, and he exchanged a glance with Esha. However, Esha remained composed and turned to Abella with a neutral expression.

“Abella, how are you?”

“I’m fine. What brought you to the store anyway?”

Abella gestured to a chair in the corner, inviting Esha to sit.  However, Esha remained standing, fixing a stern gaze on Carlisle, who stood in the corner of the shop.

“I need to talk to you for a minute.”

“Do you have something to say? Please sit down and let’s talk. Would you like some tea?”

“No, thank you.” Would you be willing to step outside for a moment?

Carlisle tensed as he listened to their conversation. He tried to remain calm despite feeling anxious inside.

Did they discuss anything last night? No, it appeared that the reason for Esha’s visit to the shop was the topic of discussion. Carlisle expressed his impatience by rolling his eyes.

Will my mom believe me after hearing the story?

“Of course, she’ll believe me.”

Yes, she will. She has to. But…

He tried to reassure himself but still felt uneasy. He had overslept today, which didn’t bode well, and his innate mistrust of his kind.

He knew he had to put a stop to this.

In a desperate attempt to divert his mother’s attention from the impending conversation with Esha, Carlisle acted on instinct. He quickly cut his own palm while trimming herbs.

“Ah…!”

A guttural moan escaped from him as red blood dripped onto the newspaper, staining the neatly stacked herbs. Abella let out a startled scream as she was on her way to follow Esha out.

“Carlisle!!!”

Carlisle laughed bitterly as Abella rushed to him, breathless.

Oh, it hurts… I accidentally cut my hand.

Carlisle had a deep cut, and Abella tended to it, prioritizing it over the pain. “Oh, my God, this is bad; you have a deep cut!

She had initially been focused on Esha’s visit, but now her attention is fully on Carlisle’s injury.

Esha stood in the doorway, surprised by the sudden turn of events. Abella quickly searched for herbs to apply to the wound. Carlisle winced in pain, furrowed his brows, and took a deep breath. His teary eyes showed vulnerability, as if he were about to cry.

In a brief moment, Carlisle’s gaze met Esha. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of his mouth twitched upward. The exchange was subtle, and it happened very quickly.

“Ha?”

Esha giggled at the absurdity of the situation. Carlisle shrugged casually, whether or not she fully understood the situation at hand.

“Honey, give me your hand for a second,” Abella requested.

Abella was focused on tending to Carlisle’s wounds and didn’t notice the silent exchange. She sprinkled finely ground herbs on the wound, causing Carlisle to shudder and moan in pain.

“Ouch, that hurts. It stings, Mommy.”

Carlisle’s words were meant to be light-hearted, but Abella sighed loudly in frustration.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I should’ve been the one handling the dangerous work with the blades.”

“No! I’m the one who’s sorry. I can’t even do this right.”

“Nonsense. There’s nothing to be sorry about. Huh?”

“I guess I’m just a useless cannibal after all.”

“Not again, not again!”

After applying herbs to the wound and wrapping it in a bandage, Abella gently took hold of both of Carlisle’s cheeks and spoke.

“Don’t say that. It was just an accident, and you’ve been a great help to your mom, haven’t you?”

Abella chuckled wryly, cupping Carlisle’s cheeks.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself for one mistake.”

Her soothing words had a genuine impact on Carlisle, causing his cheeks to flush as if he had been truly touched.

“Thank… mom.”

“Thank you. I always appreciate your help.”

Leaning his head back, Carlisle nonchalantly scratched the back of his head in a cool manner.

I applied some herbs to it. The wound is deep and will take time to heal, so be careful with your hands.

Abella turned to Esha as she spoke, conveying her message.

was supposed to watch the store for her, had hurt his hand.

“I don’t think I can talk right now. The child who was supposed to watch my store for me had injured his hand. As a result, I am currently unable to leave the store unattended.”

Esha’s expression hardened at the statement. She appeared determined about something and showed no signs of giving in, although she might have relented under different circumstances.

“Abella.”

“Yes?”

Esha stood in the doorway and looked at Abella with a serious look. The atmosphere in the shop became very tense.

Carlisle couldn’t stand the thought of Esha, who was a ticking time bomb, Abella couldn’t stand the thought of Carlisle’s wounds, and Esha couldn’t stand the thought of the unknown wolf clinging to her only friend.

“Alright, if you don’t have time, I’ll come back another time.”

For a moment, I was relieved that she was walking away so easily.

“But before you go, can you honestly answer me one question?”

Esha asked with a determined look in her eyes.

“Huh? Sure. What is it?”

Whether she realized her seriousness or not, Abella looked at Esha with round eyes as if to say, “Come on, tell me.

“What are you trying to tell me now….…

Carlisle looked apprehensive and shot a threatening glare in her direction, his eyes blinking. She recognized her limitations in Abella’s presence, and her delicate shoulders trembled momentarily under Carlisle’s intense look, but she held her ground.

Esha spoke calmly despite her nerves, taking a deep breath beforehand.

“Who is he?”

Abella looked confused when asked the question. Esha corrected herself,

saying, “This is the wolf you found on the mountain, right?”

Abella’s expression hardened upon hearing the word “wolf.” Esha sighed as if anticipating this reaction.

“So, am I right?”

Abella did not answer the question verbally, but her stiff expression conveyed the answer.

After a long silence, she finally spoke.

“How did you know that…?”

This time, Esha remained silent, but Abella easily guessed the response—the wolf Carlisle cared about.

“Are you sure it was someone from your species?”

Abella asked Carlisle in disbelief. Carlisle let out a pained sound and shivered.

“Mom…” he said, appearing terrified.

*-Sorry… For a moment, I thought I smelled one of my kind… So I made a mistake…

*-I don’t get along with my kind; that’s just the way it is. A lame duck like me is supposed to be culled from the head. In the wild.

*-My kind… scared me.

Abella remembered Carlisle’s recent words and felt sympathy for him. He blushed as she swiftly redirected her attention to Esha to offer congratulations.

“Esha, I’m sorry; we’ll have to talk about that later.”

To her surprise, Esha backed down and said, “Okay, then. We’ll talk about it soon.”

The conversation ended with a click and a bell.

Carlisle breathed a sigh of relief and snuggled closer to Abella.

“Mommy, Mommy…….”

Carlisle buried his face in Abella’s chest and breathed heavily. He resembled a child on the verge of tears. Although the image of the imposing man seeking comfort might have seemed unsettling, Abella viewed it merely as a momentary diversion.

“Shhhh, baby, it’s okay, okay, I’m here.”

Abella gently patted him on the back, trying to calm him down, but Carlisle struggled to remain calm.

He asked, “Are my relatives alive?”

Abella furrowed her brow, trying to understand. She shook her head, unable to answer Carlisle’s question.

“I’m so sorry, my dear.”

He won’t stop bothering me. If he finds out I’m alive, he’ll treat me the way he used to and hurt me.

Carlisle stuttered intentionally, gasping audibly for air as if trying to regain composure. Abella sensed his distressing vulnerability and swallowed hard.

It’s okay. It won’t happen. I will protect you no matter what.

Abella managed to embrace Carlisle despite their significant size difference. She patted him at regular intervals.

” Ever since she walked into the store I could smell the wolf.

Carlisle struggled to speak, his voice trembling. “I’m scared, mom… I’m really scared.”

Carlisle shook his head and took a ragged breath. He held Abella tightly around the waist and squirmed for a moment. Then, he gently lifted his head, locked eyes with her, and spoke.

“Mommy….”

“Yes, honey.”

“Could you and your friend take a break from each other for a while?”