When a Well-Raised Son Grows Up - Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Abella’s attention was caught by the reassurance that she wouldn’t be afraid. However, she sensed that this wasn’t a simple question with an easy answer, like buying flour at the market.

“Honey, wait.” Abella released the tail and looked at Carlisle.  “That’s not…”

She paused. She tried to express herself as casually as possible without hurting Carlisle’s feelings. However, the right words escaped her.

“Well, wouldn’t it be better if you shared that connection with the woman you’ll love in the future instead of me?”

Abella looked at Carlisle cautiously. His disappointment was evident. Carlisle’s complexion barely brightened and then darkened instantly.

He anticipated the response.

Carlisle forced a bitter smile and looked away.

“That is what I expected you to say.”

Carlisle felt uneasy. He hadn’t told Abella about his feelings, but there was a part of him that felt uncomfortable.

Even though he anticipated her answer, hearing it from Abella made it feel different.

“So, are you rejecting me?” His tail and ears twitching helplessly, Carlisle muttered.

“It’s okay. I didn’t mean to blame you,” he added.

Sweetheart, I didn’t mean that. She quickly added, “I’m afraid you might regret it in the future. You say I’m the only one in your world now, but maybe not later.”

Carlisle felt a twist in his gut at her attempt at a gentle explanation, so he bluntly replied, “You don’t want that to happen, do you?”

Abella was surprised when she said, “What do you mean, of course not!” However, Carlisle’s expression remained unchanged, and he continued with a slightly wrinkled face.

“I didn’t expect it. It’s fine. It would be terrible to share a life with a man who can’t even stand up for himself.”

“Carlisle!”

“I should have known that you would be offended that someone like me would even suggest it. I apologize for my insensitivity and will be more considerate in the future.”

Although Carlisle knew his words would anger Abella, he did not stop; in fact, he deliberately provoked her.

I’m sorry, I didn’t intend to hear that.”

As Carlisle spoke, his eyes moistened and his lips trembled. Abella took his hand, speaking with great conviction.

“I didn’t mean it that way. Don’t be so upset, okay?”

“It’s not necessarily wrong to say that.”

He spoke quietly, with a sad tone, while nervously biting his lower lip.

“I appreciate that you are not just annoyed. I am thankful that you have handled it this way.”

Carlisle stumbled over his words. He couldn’t hold back his sadness, and a tear slid down his cheek.

“I’m so… sorry, I’m so sorry…”

The small room was filled with his sad crying, and Abella felt uncomfortable, not knowing how to react. She covered her hands over her clenched fists to stifle the sobs.

“Carlisle, don’t cry. Okay?”

Abella wiped the tears from his eyes and tried to comfort him, but he showed no sign of stopping. Carlisle turned his head away, avoiding her touch, as if he were too ashamed to let her see him cry.

“Mom.”

After crying for a long time, Carlisle wiped away his tears and stopped sobbing before speaking.

“I think I’d prefer to be alone.”

“What? Why do you say that??”

“When I am with you, I trust and depend on you. Losing you would be something I don’t know what to do.”

His once-strong shoulders now slump helplessly.

“I hope I don’t hurt you.”

“No, I don’t.”

Abella interrupted Carlisle, anticipating his next words. She is almost crying.

“Why would you say that? I have always told you that you are the only family I have.”

Carlisle was puzzled by the expression in Abella’s eyes. He had not expected her to cry.

Abella continued to look at him, even though her tears blurred her vision.

“Did you expect it to work this way to ease your fears?”

Abella realized that Carlisle meant more to her than she had ever imagined. He was the first person to enter her world and bring warmth to her daily life. He made her feel better about not having a partner or family to rely on, a feeling she had never experienced before.

To her, Carlisle was a blind being who reacted to every gesture, look, and word with both tears and laughter. Abella deeply cared for and loved Carlisle, but not in a romantic way. She couldn’t imagine life without him now.

“I’m fine with your decision.  I just didn’t want you to regret it later. I mean what I say.”

Upon hearing those words, Carlisle’s expression softened. His determined pink eyes met Abella’s. After a few moments of eye contact, Carlisle asked cautiously:

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. And you are, right, Carlisle?”

Carlisle nodded quickly in disbelief. Abella patted him on the back, appearing to consider what to do next. He hesitantly spoke.

“But that… to use that way I told you about…”

“Yeah, how do I do that?”

Abella repeated. However, Carlisle only pursed his lips and found it difficult to express the next words.

Abella sensed that something was wrong and tilted her head to ask silently what was wrong. Carlisle looked frustrated and pursed his lips while his eyes narrowed and widened.

“That, that… that…”

“That?” Abella responded.

Carlisle muttered in a very low voice, trying to avoid Abella’s eyes as she watched him intently.

“I’m supposed to kiss, but…”

“a kiss?”

Abella was surprised and taken aback. She covered her lips and widened her eyes when she heard that she was expected to kiss Carlisle. This seemed unimaginable to her, especially since she had known him since he was a child.

“Anticipating her thoughts, Carlisle quickly added, “Come on, it’ll only take a minute. I’ll do the imprinting. Of course, I’ve never done it myself, so I don’t know how.”

But Abella still looked confused.

“I thought these were usually meant for life-long partners.”

“Oh, I see… “

“It’s… I’m sorry.”

Carlisle bowed his head once more.

‘She must be overwhelmed,’ he thought, sighing at the idea. Contrary to his expectations, Abella remained quite determined. She gripped his cheek with her small hand, lifting his downcast face.

“Can you do that right now?” Abella asked.

He wasn’t sure if he had heard Abella correctly. He froze for a moment, then blinked a few times, looking confused. Carlisle froze. Abella, on the other hand, seemed motivated. Carlisle gulped, trying to calm his racing heart.

“Ahh, I can do that, but…”

“Then let’s do it. Right now.”

Carlisle nearly cheered at her boldness. He suppressed the rising corner of his mouth, biting down on the thin flesh in his mouth.

“After taking a moment to compose himself, he shook his head in disbelief and asked again, “Oh, right now, are you sure you’re okay?”

She had come this far and wasn’t about to back down, even if she wasn’t. Carlisle swallowed hard, trying to hide the dryness in his throat.

“Yeah, it’s okay, sweetheart, if you don’t mind.” Abella cheerfully nodded her approval, bringing Carlisle back to reality.

In a moment of excitement, Carlisle’s lips nearly met hers. He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart, struggling to determine if this was a dream.

‘Of course, it’s partly because I didn’t explain to her exactly what an imprint is…’

‘However, I did not expect her to be so cooperative.’

Carlisle’s cheeks flushed. He felt like a beginner on his first night out.