"Roderick, stop!" Aiden blocked his path he stood before him.
"I understand I don’t need to go anywhere," Roderick said. "You know, if only you had worked smartly and thought smartly, all of this would not have happened," he muttered, putting the entire bla on Aiden for the current situation of their family.
"I know I acted recklessly without checking anything. However, you are already aware of the situation, so don’t do anything. Stay in the mansion. Boss will return by the night after fulfilling his work," Aiden asserted in a polite tone. "And try to support Layla in this tough ti. Don’t add any stress to her," he pointed before pivoting on his heels and leave his sight.
Roderick ran his fingers through his hair and rested his hand at the back of his neck. "My dad died in this fucking fight. And all they have to tell to stop whining about it," he muttered under his breath and lowered his hand.
Taking a few steps ahead, he went to the kitchen to see if Layla was there. He realized he spoke too harshly with her in the heat of the mont. However, all he see was a few maids cleaning the dishes and the kitchen.
"Young Master, do you want sothing?" A maid from behind asked and he turned around.
"Where’s Layla? Have you seen her?" Roderick questioned.
"Madam has gone to her room," the maid replied.
"Hmm." Roderick went upstairs and saw the door was closed. He knocked on it and waited for Layla to open it. In a few seconds, Layla was on the door, feeling confused.
"Why are you here?" Layla averted his gaze from him as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"I didn’t an to hurt you," Roderick replied. "Can’t you send away Uncle’s mom from here? She should not be staying here. That’s the main reason I wanted to go out. Sorry for charging at you with my harsh words," he apologized, feeling embarrassed.
Layla finally looked at him with a firm expression. "Then learn to be humble, Roderick. You need to control your temper in certain situations, or better yet, learn when to keep your mouth shut," she snapped.
"I’m learning," Roderick murmured in a low voice. He hesitated for a mont before asking, "Tell , what would you have done if you found out that the woman responsible for your father’s death was right in front of you all the ti?"
Layla held his gaze and spoke in her steady voice, "Your father’s death was a tragedy, Roderick. But you know just as well as I do that Lucius was nearly killed in that accident too. Blaming his mother won’t change anything. The real culprit is Vladimir Romanov, he’s the one you should hate."
Roderick clenched his jaw as he felt Layla was right. However, he still spoke, "But if she had never run away, if she had never beco a part of this family, none of this would have happened."
"You’re right," Layla admitted. "But what’s done is done. You can’t change the past, and you can’t deny it either. I understand that losing your father was a huge loss, but you can’t act like a child forever."
She took a step closer as her voice softened. "Look at your mother, Roderick. She carries all that pain in her heart, and your actions only hurt her more. Don’t you think it’s ti to be more responsible? She’s endured so much for you. The least you can do is be a good son, and more importantly, a good man."
She inhaled deeply and placed her both hands on Roderick’s shoulders. "We all have so childhood traumas. Everyone of us have suffered a lot. That doesn’t an we need to hold onto it all the ti. I am not saying what Lucius’s mother did was right. You know, you have been blaming Lucius all this ti for your father’s demise. It’s the ti you should give him a shoulder too. I hope you do, Roderick. And I don’t care for you, honestly. You are my ex, who cheated on ."
Layla pulled her hands back, giving him a blow at the end.
Roderick chuckled to hear her and rubbed his forehead before lifting his head.
"I regret it. Okay? I have no idea why I did that," Roderick said, feeling embarassed again. "I’ve been a brat who got everything on a silver platter. I will try to improve. Hopefully, I do."
"Let’s see. I don’t have high hopes from you," Layla remarked.
"You are already demotivating ," Roderick said with an upsetting gaze.
"I am stating the truth. You have disappointed many tis in the worst possible ways," Layla asserted, her gaze never flickering even once while saying that.
"Are you keep acting like this with ? I an... Treating like I’m a trash?!" Roderick arched his eyebrow.
"You called yourself a trash," Layla stated. "And for the record, I’ve always spoken to you politely, even after what you did to . I’ve tried to move on and forget everything related to you, but when you act like this—when you ask why I shouldn’t just forgive you—it makes angry."
Roderick humd softly, absorbing her words. "I understand."
"You still talk to Ivy, right? I know you two are together," Layla asked, watching him closely. "I’m only asking because I don’t want you to hurt her."
"I’ve explained a bit of the situation to Ivy," Roderick admitted. "I asked her to give a few days since I can’t see her right now." He left out the part that their relationship was just an act for Ivy’s mother’s sake.
Layla nodded. "That’s good." She turned toward her room, ready to step inside.
"Layla," Roderick called after her. "I truly am sorry. I an it."
Layla paused, her back still facing him. "It’s fine," she said, her voice even. "Go and be with your mother. Talk to her, and try to understand her."
Without another word, she walked deeper into her room, leaving Roderick standing in the doorway.
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