Robbie remained silent. All this while, he had been the smartest and most sensible among the three children.
He did very well in both school and life. Therefore, his parents had never reprimanded him before.
Hence, this was his first time.
“Did you give Ellie something to cause her to vomit?” Charlotte questioned.
“Yes.” Robbie nodded honestly.
“Where did you get the drug?” Charlotte continued.
“I had a tummy ache a few days ago and Hayley gave it to me to cure my indigestion. However, instead of taking it, I kept it,” Robbie confessed.
“Why did you give it to Ellie today?”
Charlotte’s tone had gradually grown solemn.
This time, Robbie continue to keep mum with his head hung low.
“Speak,” Charlotte snapped.
Robbie shuddered in fear but didn’t say a word still.
Despite her anger, Charlotte restrained herself from losing her temper on the children.
“Is it because you don’t want me and Louis to get married?” Charlotte probed. “Is that the reason?”
“It is.” Robbie explained while looking at the floor, “Not just me. Jamie and Ellie feel the same way too.”
“Why?” Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows.
“If you like Sir Louis, we won’t stop you. But you don’t,” Robbie answered candidly.
“I’m not sure if you can’t bring yourself to turn Sir Louis down or you’re just running away from Daddy. Regardless of the reason, you can’t marry someone you don’t like!”
Charlotte was touched by his words. She had always assumed the children had blindly supported Zachary. But now, she realized that they were considering it from her perspective.
“It was my mistake to have given Ellie the tablet.” Robbie continued, “Dr. Felch had already reprimanded me for it and told me about the gravity of the situation. Hence, I will not repeat my mistake.
“However, Mommy, I hope you will give the marriage serious consideration. You’re no longer in a position where you are helpless to fend for yourself. Instead, you have the power to decide now. Hence, there’s no need for you to sacrifice yourself.”
Robbie’s words caused Charlotte to be stumped.
Instead of her lecturing Robbie, it ended up the other way around.
“Mommy, are you still angry with me?” Robbie gave her a worried look.
As Charlotte reached out her hand, Robbie warily walked closer. She pulled him into her embrace and said remorsefully, “Even if I’m angry, it would be at myself. I have placed such a burden on you despite your young age.”
“Mommy, don’t think that way,” Robbie muttered softly. “I would love to experience the life of an innocent child. But, I can’t control my thoughts. On the bright side, I’ll just mature ahead of time.”
“You foolish child.” Charlotte hugged him tightly. “The world of adults is more complicated than you think. Next time, you shouldn’t interfere in such matters. You have to trust me that whatever my decision I make, I will have given it proper consideration.”
“Mommy, in that case, will you still marry Sir Louis?” Robbie couldn’t understand.
“I’m still undecided.” Holding his face, Charlotte gently persuaded, “However, you have to trust me, all right?”
Robbie still couldn’t figure out what was going through Charlotte’s mind. From his perspective, the answer was clear. However, when he looked into Charlotte’s eyes and heard the word “trust”, he finally nodded. “Mmm-hmm!”
“Good boy!” Charlotte was relieved. “Go and rest now. I’m going to see Uncle Dan.”
“It’s already so late. Do you really need to?” Robbie was unsettled.
“I need to discuss certain things with him in private.” Charlotte gently rubbed his back. “Go now.”
When Robbie left, Charlotte’s gaze darkened as she watched his silhouette go.
