CHAPTER 427: CHAPTER 427: ARE YOU FEELING SICK?

Railer glanced outside. "She’s getting a room ready for a new guy."

Daniel took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger rising inside him. "What new guy?"

"They met at the airport. He’s a celebrity and a fan of Stephanie’s. Mommy and Auntie Thea really like him." Railer had already guessed why his dad was calling.

He added a little twist to his story, hoping it would push his dad to come home sooner.

"It’s dangerous to bring a stranger into the house. You and your siblings should look out for your mom," Daniel said through gritted teeth.

Railer acted clueless. "He seems nice. He doesn’t look dangerous at all."

"You never really know people. I taught you that." Daniel loosened his tie and took a frustrated gulp of cold water.

"But—"

"No buts. You should make him leave quickly. That’s the only way you’ll be safe."

"Lunchtime, Rai." Chantelle appeared at the door. Everyone was in the living room, crowding around Clinton with questions, while Railer quickly slipped away to his room. Chantelle couldn’t help but worry.

Still, she figured the kids just needed their space as they grew older, so she waited until lunch to check on him.

She felt relieved when she saw him sitting quietly on the bed.

"Mommy." Railer stayed still on the bed.

Chantelle walked into the room, closed the door behind her, and gently asked, "What’s wrong?"

She thought Railer might be missing Daniel. The boy had grown up with him, so it was normal for him to struggle with the distance and time apart.

"Mommy, is Clinton going to stay here with us?" Railer asked, holding his phone behind her so the camera could capture her face.

That way, Daddy could see Mommy. Railer believed his father must miss her, just that he was too stubborn to admit it.

On the other end, Daniel was already thinking about Chantelle. A minute ago, he’d been furious, but the moment her smiling face appeared on the screen, all his rage and frustration melted away.

"Yes. He can’t go home right now because of some special circumstances, so he’ll be staying with us for the time being. Are you okay with that, Rai?" Chantelle suddenly realized she should have asked the kids before making the decision.

"Would he leave if I said I’m not okay with it?" Railer lowered his head, feeling like he was asking too much. He looked agitated.

Chantelle gently pulled him into her arms. "That’s my fault. You’re one of the owners of this house. I should’ve asked you first before deciding if he could stay. I’m sorry."

"I don’t blame you, Mommy." Railer’s heart swelled with joy.

Mommy said I was also an owner of the house, just like Kane and Stephanie.

He was overjoyed after hearing his Mom’s words.

"Can you tell me why you don’t want him to stay?" Chantelle asked, gently running her fingers through his hair.

Railer glanced at the phone behind her. Daniel’s face showed no emotion, but the tension around his eyes told Railer that he was angry.

Oh no. Someone might steal Mommy’s heart, and Daddy still had time to get mad over a video call.

Railer gave Chantelle a pitiful look and said, "I’m scared you’ll fall in love with him and forget about Daddy."

Shocked, Chantelle replied softly, "Rai, I want you to understand that I’ll always love you, no matter what happens between your daddy and me. But you can’t use my love for you as a reason to control my freedom to choose who I marry."

"I don’t understand, Mommy. Don’t be with Clinton. Can you just be with Daddy instead?" Railer wrapped his arms around Chantelle’s neck, acting like a little boy again.

He didn’t fully understand what she meant earlier, but he could feel that his Mommy didn’t want his Daddy anymore.

"Okay, listen. This has nothing to do with Clinton. I’ll tell him to leave if you really don’t want him to stay." Chantelle gently patted his back to comfort him.

Railer lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "Let him stay," he whispered.

"Rai, I don’t want you to hold any grudges, okay?" Chantelle said softly. She only agreed to let Clinton stay because someone in the house couldn’t control their excitement, and because his story had touched her heart.

Since Kane and Stephanie liked him, Chantelle agreed to let Clinton stay for a while.

Still, she would rather break her promise than make Railer uncomfortable. If that happened, she would help Clinton find another safe place to stay, but not in their home.

"Mommy, I don’t have any bad feelings. I was just scared Clinton might steal you away. I didn’t say no because I hated him," Railer quickly explained, worried his mom might think he was being mean.

On the video call, Daniel pursed his lips together and watched the mother and son silently hugging.

Thankfully, Railer hadn’t forgotten that his dad was still on the line. He grabbed at Chantelle’s collar and asked softly, "Mommy, do you really not like Daddy anymore?"

Chantelle pinched his cheek gently and smiled. "The relationship between adults is complicated. You’ll understand one day when you’re older."

Railer frowned, thinking it over. "Between Clinton and Daddy, who do you like more?"

"You can’t compare them." Daniel was the last person Chantelle wanted to talk to. If he liked staying in Carcosa so much, then he could stay there for all she cared.

"Can Daddy live with us when he comes back?" Railer asked, trying to stand up for his dad.

Without hesitation, Chantelle said, "No."

"Why? Why can Clinton stay here but not Daddy, Mommy?" Railer asked in a panic.

What had Daddy done to make her this mad?

Mommy wouldn’t even let Daddy stay in the house.

Since Railer couldn’t understand what she meant, Chantelle decided it was too soon to explain the complicated things between adults.

"Clinton is gentle and doesn’t lose his temper for no reason. He’s young, too, so he can play with you. Oh, and he’s hardworking and a great cook." She suddenly remembered something and smiled. "Right, I came here to call you for lunch. Come on, Clinton’s made a feast for us."

Chantelle lifted Railer into her arms, while he glanced helplessly at the phone lying on the bed.

Now that Mommy mentioned it, Clinton seemed to have a lot more to offer than Daddy.

Daddy had a bad temper and often threw tantrums. Plus, he was older. When he smiled, wrinkles showed on his face. His skin wasn’t smooth like Clinton’s. Daddy only knew how to make pancakes, while Clinton could cook all sorts of food.

Sigh. Hurry back, Daddy. I can’t help you if you keep delaying your return.

"What’s wrong, Rai? You’ve been staying in your room. Are you feeling sick?" Thea asked as she carried a plate out and knelt to look into his eyes.

"Hot, Auntie Thea," Railer said, but he didn’t pull away from her touch.