Chapter 464: The Morning He Brought Him Home (part three)
The autumn wind brushed against Micah’s face as he walked toward the apartment complex. His anxiety grew with every step, thinking about how to face Flora and Nora. He rubbed his damp palms on his shorts, trying to wipe the sweat and nerves as he made his way to the third floor.
When he reached the old familiar door, he hesitated. He took a deep breath and knocked.
The door opened almost instantly. Darcy stood there, his expression unreadable, his eyes slightly red.
Micah blinked as he caught the redness. His heart ached. Had Darcy cried?
The dark-haired young man studied him for a second before stepping aside. "Come in."
Micah swallowed hard and nodded, stepping inside. His movements were as stiff as a robot’s. The moment he crossed the threshold, his gaze fell on Flora.
The woman sat on the couch, staring at him with an intensity that made Micah’s throat close up. For a heartbeat, neither of them spoke nor moved.
It was an awkward situation.
But Micah bit the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to act naturally. He opened his mouth even though his throat felt like sandpaper. After that near-drowning experience, he regretted not being able to call Flora mum.... He shouldn’t lose this chance. Who knew when he would get to see her again? These days... Darcy’s attitude was as unpredictable as Melbourne’s weather.
"Hello, mu--mum," he stammered. His voice was shaky and low.
Flora’s gaze went to Darcy, checking his expression before settling back on Micah. Her eyes reddened instantly. "Mmm," she just hummed in response.
Micah’s chest tightened, but before he could savour the moment, a gasp made him flinch. He turned his head toward the sound and caught Nora standing in the hallway, her eyes wide, mouth shaped in O.
He smiled at her tentatively. "Hey."
Nora didn’t move, but her expression shifted from a brief warmth to awkwardness. She glanced toward Darcy.
Darcy stood aside, watching their interaction quietly. These three... they were the very definition of scaredy cats.
He understood why they were being so cautious. Neither Flora nor Nora wanted to be overly friendly or overenthusiastic with Micah, not when it might make Darcy feel left out or uncomfortable. While Micah kept his distance from them just enough not to appear cold, but enough to show his acceptance of them as his family. His heart warmed up as well as annoyance filled it. These three were really blood-related.
He moved to the kitchen. "Have you had breakfast?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Nora, as if she were dying to bolt out of this awkward atmosphere, turned her head. "No, brother. I am famished," she said and followed him. "Let me help you."
Micah watched them for a second as Darcy and Nora worked together in the kitchen. The way they moved was so in sync, showing how close the siblings were. His eyes softened. Good. It appeared nothing had changed between the brother and sister, even after the truth was revealed.
Flora’s voice broke through his thoughts. "Micah...Come here. Sit," she said gently.
Micah nodded and sat stiffly beside her. He clasped his hands together in his lap, bracing himself for Flora’s scolding, asking why he had deceived them. Even if she didn’t bring it up, Micah kept thinking about how to apologise to them. But he found it harder and harder with each passing second. What if she didn’t forgive him? What if she labelled him as a liar and a cheat? What if she asked the reason? Accusing him, was he ashamed to have her as a mother?
Meanwhile, Flora extended her hand halfway toward him, hesitated, and let it drop back onto her lap. She wanted to hug her son, but she shouldn’t be selfish. Darcy was watching. She shifted slightly in her seat. "Since when did you... know?" she asked.
Micah stared down at his hands. "The moment I saw Darcy."
Technically, it had been the moment he had dreamed, but a few days wouldn’t change anything.
"So... you knew we were..." Flora continued.
"Yeah. I’m sorry. I..." Micah swallowed hard.
She shook her head. "No, it wasn’t your fault. Anyone would have been confused." Her lips trembled into a faint smile. "Truthfully, I had my own suspicions about you. But I didn’t have the courage to ask."
Micah raised his head. "Huh? Really? How?"
Flora’s smile deepened, nostalgic and fragile. "You remind me of Oliver, their father," she said softly, "your eyes, the way you scowl, laugh, the way you speak... every time I looked at you, it was like seeing him when he was young."
Micah nodded, feeling a lump in his throat. He never thought what had given him away was his similarity to his biological father.
"I’m just happy you came back." Flora beamed.
Micah returned the smile, voice stuck.
Then Flora reached out, this time more confident, grabbing Micah’s hand. "I just want to ask you for a favour."
"What is it?"
She looked at him, then at Darcy, who was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, cracking eggs into a bowl. "Treat Darcy well," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "When he found out about the truth, he completely lost himself. But now," she paused. "The light in his eyes has come back. please.... Just promise me one thing: never be the one to abandon him."
Micah’s eyes narrowed in confusion. "Abandon? What do you mean?"
What was Flora talking about? Did she mean cutting him off? Why would he do that?
But before Flora could speak, Darcy’s voice came from the kitchen. "Mum, Micah, breakfast is ready."
Micah pursed his lips, caught between annoyance not getting the answer and relief as he was free from more questioning. He stood up and extended his hand toward Flora. "Here, let me help you," he said.
Flora blinked, then her face bloomed into a warm smile. She took his hand and rose to her feet. Micah escorted her to a small table.
The table was filled with colour, golden toasted bread stacked beside a plate of tomato omelettes, a basket of warm buns, sunny-side-up eggs, oatmeal topped with fruit, two glasses of milk and a pot of tea steaming between them.
Micah’s stomach grumbled loudly at the sight. He froze, then lowered his head in embarrassment as his ears turned red instantly. Fuck! Of all the times, now it should be for his stomach to make an entrance! He couldn’t even lift his eyes, afraid to catch teasing and mocking in their eyes. Especially Darcy!
Meanwhile, Flora’s eyes filled with amusement as she caught his reaction. Ah so cute, she thought to herself.