When a Well-Raised Son Grows Up - Chapter 62

Chapter 62 

Carlisle stayed quiet and listened to Leo’s words without showing any agreement or disagreement. He couldn’t deny feeling foolish for having this conversation.

Ignoring Leo instead of engaging in conversation may seem easier, but this way of doing things is old-fashioned.

Carlisle silently mocked the relevance of past emotions as Leo continued to speak. Leo interrupted Carlisle’s thoughts with a question.

“What’s the other part?” Leo asked, seeking clarification. “You mentioned that I tried to kill you. Can you be more specific?” Leo wanted to understand the accusation.

Carlisle paused. He thought about Leo’s words. Leo then sincerely swore that he had never meant any harm to Carlisle. However, he didn’t help when Carlisle was being bullied.

Carlisle thought about Leo’s words and wondered if his ability to swear by the god Wulk meant he was being honest. Carlisle concluded that Leo must be telling the truth since there was no reason for him to deceive him.

After a brief pause, Carlisle sighed and told Leo about the incident where Leo had unknowingly given him a poisoned herb that had nearly caused his death.

The memory had previously been a source of great pain to him, but now he felt strangely detached from it. He told the story in a dry, unemotional tone.

Carlisle’s expression remained calm and unchanged throughout the conversation.

Leo regretted that Carlisle had almost died because of his actions.

Carlisle admitted that he had planned to use the power of the god Wulk to get back at those who had made fun of him for his disability and his mother for rejecting him.

Carlisle is a pureblood with the power of Wulk, despite his physical disabilities.

In a moment of restored strength, Carlisle’s legs temporarily healed, and he transformed into a monster, sinking his jaws into the necks of his kin.

Amidst the overpowering stench of blood, Carlisle felt an unusual sense of pleasure. He knew the consequences, but still believed it was a justifiable use of his power.

“That’s it.”

The power faded slowly, causing his body to shrink until he was the size of a newborn wolf pup. He felt intense pain as his body shrank, as if it was being torn apart.

Just when he thought he would rather die quickly, Abella appeared in front of him.

‘At first, I thought it was pointless: why bother trying to save me, and how absurd of her to think that some herbs could heal such a wound. I gave up hope.’

-”How did this happen….…”

-”You have to get better.”

He felt ridiculous and annoyed that Abella kept trying to prolong his life when he had given up.

-“Mommy will take good care of you. You have to get better. Okay?”

Then, hearing the word “Mommy” come out of Abella’s mouth, Carlisle was overcome with an indescribable feeling.

Clearly, he likely had a mother who gave birth to him. However, his mother, being the leader of the group, did not accept his presence as a crippled cub.

No warm milk, no affectionate gaze, not even for a moment.

Whenever he made eye contact with his biological mother, he felt haunted by her sighs and scornful looks.

In a cold world, Abella was his only source of light and shelter.

There was a long silence between Carlisle and Leo. Leo’s lips twitched for a long moment, as if he was choosing what to say.

“Carl, I don’t know if you’ll believe me.”

Then, Leo cautiously broke the silence by speaking.

“I’ve never mixed poisonous herbs, and besides, I don’t know anything about herbs, so I wouldn’t know what to mix even if I tried.”

As Carlisle listened, he felt a sinking feeling. He had already seen it coming. He knew Leo had not done what happened that day since he swore to Wulk.

Carlisle tightened his fists, considering how to compensate for the pain he had endured. He forced a bitter smile onto his face.

“I guess part of it was my own fault.”

Leo murmured, then knelt in front of Carlisle.

“I apologize, Carl. I deeply regret not stepping in when you were being bullied.”

Carlisle looked away, uncomfortable, and sighed.

“No need to apologize, just tell me how you managed to survive.”

“Oh… that.”

“Why? Is there a secret you’re keeping from me?”

Leo looked frustrated and uncomfortable, and Carlisle became suspicious of his behavior.

“You better tell it, because I’m not going to go easy on you just because you claim innocence.”

Leo hesitated. He chewed his lower lip and avoided eye contact.

After a prolonged silence, Leo finally spoke up.

“Is it because of Mom?”

Carlisle asked and Leo nodded.

“I believe mom sacrificed herself to save me. I cannot be certain, but I can only assume based on what I saw in those last moments. It’s a pureblood ability that comes into play when your life is in danger.”

Carlisle’s expression twisted with unease. He felt strangely intimidated by his mother. Despite having the power from the Wulk Gods, he still felt that his mother was the one in control.

During the chaotic moment, Carlisle was covered in blood and drowned out by his own cries.

At first, he didn’t fully understand the significance of his mother’s sacrifice. Upon reflection, he realized that her death was even more pointless than the others.

Leo’s presence made Carlisle feel sick. His mother had saved him at the cost of her own life. Despite the fact that her mother had never shown him any kindness, he was her son too but Leo was the one she had made the ultimate sacrifice for.

Carlisle felt a surge of conflicting emotions in his gut. Despite their familial bond, Carlisle held resentment towards Leo and even considered taking his life, which would make his mom’s sacrifice meaningless.

At this rate, he might actually bite the nape of his neck again.

“Then we’re finished here,” Carlisle declared, turning away from Leo and beginning to walk away.

“This is our final conversation. I do not wish to meet you again.”

“Carl…”

Leo grabbed Carlisle’s arm, but Carlisle looked at him fiercely, his animosity clear in his eyes.

Carlisle growled, “Don’t make me say it again. You know I hate that woman,” Carlisle growled, his smile filled with threat.

“I only wanted to tell the truth.”

“I’m sorry”

Leo apologized quietly. Carlisle turned and left. Emotions swirled inside him, offering no comfort. To steady himself, he remembered Abella’s words and her smile, etched in his memory.

-“You’re the only family I have, Carlisle. You’re the only family I have.”

-“Yeah, all I need is a mom, too,” Carlisle muttered bitterly, replaying Abella’s accusing question over and over in his mind.

-“How could you do this to me, Carlisle?”

Carlisle remembered Abella’s disappointed words, but he pushed them aside. However, he felt increasingly uncomfortable. He tried to focus on the woman who had once laughed with him, despite the stern expression he imagined on her face.

‘Will I ever hear her say she loves me like she used to?’

Deep down, he knew the answer, but he refused to admit it, choosing instead to turn a blind eye. The idea of living without her love was unbearable.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ he thought, trying to convince himself otherwise.

‘We’re imprinted, so she’s stuck with me for life, whether she likes it or not,’ Carlisle thought, a smile playing on his lips as he remembered.

He believed that if he persisted, Abella might open up to him again. He knew she would welcome him back if he acted pitiful enough, after all, she was susceptible to pity.

‘First, I’m going back and spend some more time with my mom. That will do it,’ he resolved.

With that decision made, they made their way back to the house, where Abella would be waiting. However, Carlisle felt uneasy.

He noticed a thick plume of smoke rising from Abella’s house and said, “Smoke…?”