Tangled in His Obsession

Chatper 417

Chapter 417

Prior to this, Seraphina had believed that Valerio’s emotional state had stabilized when it came todealing with Gloria.

Even if his silence was due to Gloria, he had, after all, been able to face her afterwards. Even whenLeandro took him back to Reynolds Vista Retreat, he didn’t show excessive restlessness. But whatSeraphina didn’t expect was that an unexpected encounter with Gloria today would cause such himalmost a panic attack.

Seraphina thought that probably Valerio had developed an excessive dependence on her after herconstant presence.

Because before he turned six, Valerio had never enjoyed the feeling of relying on someone so much.After Seraphina appeared, especially after knowing that she was his biological mother, heunhesitatingly placed all his trust in her, probably to make up for the lack of security he had felt beforehe was six.

This dependence allowed him to completely relax himself, forget his previous defensiveness and fear,and fully revert to the mindset of a child.

Because of this, the sudden encounter with Gloria would bring up his past fears again, causing such abig impact.

He had become accustomed to a safe and comfortable environment. Suddenly returning to his formerstate of mind, it was inevitably a bit overwhelming. But the more it was like this, the more Seraphina feltheartache.

In the past, it was her who owed this child too much, leading to his current condition and mindset. Fromnow on, she would never allow anyone to hurt him even a little bit.

Although Valerio was scared, the presence of Seraphina still successfully comforted him,

Herested his head on Seraphina’s shoulder, and after a bout of sobbing, gradually calmed down.

He slowly raised his head, looking at Seraphina with teary eyes, and reached out to wipe her tearsaway.

Seraphina was on the verge of tears, but eventually just smiled lightly, saying, “Mommy’s fine. Are youstill scared?”

Valerio gently shook his head.

Seraphina said gently, “With Mommy here, Grandma won’t dare to scold you. Mommy won’t letGrandma scold you, okay?”

Valerio nodded and rested his head on Seraphina’s shoulder again.

After a while, Seraphina carried Valerio out of the bathroom. When they returned to the previous diningtable, Gloria and her friend were nowhere to be seen.

Valerio was motionless on her shoulder. Seraphina knew that he wouldn’t be able to eat anything if hestayed here, so she quickly paid the bill and took Valerio back to Reynolds Manor.

Back home, looking at the piles of shopping bags being unloaded from the car by the driver, the nannycouldn’t help but laugh, “The mother and son must have had a great time shopping, they bought somany things…”

Raising her head, the nanny noticed that Seraphina seemed a bit off, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Seraphina, carrying Valerio, walked in without answering the question, but instead said, “Could youmake Valerio some food? He didn’t eat well tonight, I’m afraid he’ll be hungry later.”

The nanny nodded immediately, “Alright, I’ll get right on it.”novelbin

Seraphina then put Valerio down, looking at him sitting quietly on the couch, she reached out andstroked his head, “Is there anything else you want to eat?”

Valerio obediently shook his head.

Seraphina smiled, “Okay, then Mommy will eat some snack with you later.”

After saying this, Seraphina stood up, ready to go to the bathroom to get a hot towel for Valerio. But assoon as she stood up, Valerio immediately grabbed her sleeve, looking fearful that she would leave.

Seraphina paused, and the next moment, picked up Valerio and headed to the bathroom together.

That night, Valerio clung tightly to Seraphina, unwilling to leave her for even a moment.

Seraphina watched him finishing his food, then quickly took him upstairs to bathe and sleep.

Normally, Valerio had a fixed sleep time and would fall asleep quickly once he was in bed. But thatnight, he kept tossing and turning in Seraphina’s arms, showing no signs of sleepiness.

Seraphina patted his back, gently humming a song.

After a while, Valerio finally fell asleep, but his little hand still clung to Seraphina’s nightgown.

Compared to Valerio, Seraphina found it even harder to fall asleep. She lay quietly, watching Valerio’srestless sleeping face, until she heard the faint sound of a car outside

Seraphina picked up her phone to check the time.

It was already half past one in the morning, and Leandro had just returned. Seraphina didn’t move, justlying in bed listening. Soon, Leandro came upstairs, his footsteps stopping outside the door of theirroom.

Then, the door was pushed open.

With the light from the hallway pouring in, Leandro slowly walked into the room and sat down by thebed.

Seraphina abruptly turned her head to look at him.

Leandro glanced at her, his gaze quickly falling on Valerio.

He reached out to touch Valerio’s forehead, finding the temperature normal before gently strokingValerio’s face, whispering, “Did he get scared today?”

Upon hearing this, Seraphina knew why he had come home so late.

It was probably not just Valerio who was frightened today, but also Gloria, so he had gone to ReynoldsVista Retreat.

Seraphina responded with a low “Hmm” without saying anything else.

Leandro was silent for a moment, then reached out to cover the hand that Seraphina had placed onValerio. But Seraphina immediately pulled her hand back.

Leandro paused, then asked in a low voice, “Are you blaming me?”

It took a moment before Seraphina replied, “I know I can’t blame you. You’ve been good to Valerio,you’ve done all that you could-that’s what my rational side tells me.

“Uh-huh.” Leandro listened, quiet for a while before he asked again, “And what about emotionally?”

Seraphina clenched her teeth, slowly saying, “Valerio was traumatized, and he had turned into today’sstate because you didn’t protect him well enough.”

So, she did blame him after all. That’s probably the raw and selfish side of human nature-

When Valerio was only his, Leandro’s, son, Seraphina thought he was a pretty good father. At leastfrom his perspective, he had done his best.

But when Valerio became their son, Seraphina felt like he hadn’t done enough. Even if he could havedone just a little bit more, perhaps Valerio could have avoided his current mute state.

Much later, Leandro once again gently took Seraphina’s hand and brought it to his lips, “I’m sorry,” hesaid.