Stand By Me Darling
Chapter 335: Mother’s Last Words

Chapter 335: Mother’s Last Words

"Will you let me be and leave?" Arthur clenched his jaws. This big brother he admired a lot to the point of idolising, told him cruelly to his face that he is not his brother. And he dared to split Iris and him. "And take down that cheesy video you posted without my consent. Or else you’ll have to talk to my lawyers for infringing-"

Why is he bothering me now if he’s not my brother?

"Why can’t I post the cute video of my baby brother I recorded in my home while he was babysitting my kids?" Roderick had a sly smile as he leaned on the wall.

He thinks he can win against me after all these years?

"Cute? Baby brother?" Arthur’s eyebrows twitched and his anger level got dangerously high. "I thought dad went through surgery. Are you on something?"

"Why? You are my baby brother. I remember meeting you in the hospital when you were just born. Dad picked me up from school that day and brought me straight to the hospital. I was so excited to meet you. When I saw you for the first time, you were red as you were screaming from the top of your lungs. With your bald head with just few hairs and with your crying, you looked like a sweet potato. Apparently Ray had hit you and you didn’t stop screaming. Mum who was already tired was pretty worried not knowing how to stop your cry. But then when I got you from her arms and held you...," Roderick made the gesture of holding a baby.

Arthur wanted to interject him as his story seemed made up. He even dared to call him a sweet potato. But looking at his brother smiling as he was looking at his arms as if he was reminiscing that day, he held back. He cannot deny the fact that his brother indeed loves him. And Rod loves sweet potatoes, so that comparison can be forgotten.

Roderick continued, "Like it was magic, you stopped crying and you ended up sleeping in my arms. It was not just that day... You were always more attached to me as you grew up to the point of mum getting jealous of me..." he took in a deep breath. "Mum..." he wetted his lips and looked at Arthur. "Artie, you were too young to remember. But before mum passed, we visited her in the hospital. Ray wasn’t there, and you were squirmy as you never liked hospitals and I remember you hiding behind my back. Mum sat with difficulty and she petted your hair as she told me that she was not worried about leaving such a young child behind, since she knew I’d take care of you. ’I’m glad he grew up attached to you,’ she said and..." Roderick gulped as his throat closed remembering that day.

’Take care of your brothers for me, dear Rody’, she kissed his cheek and her eyes were misty. He remembered wiping off a teardrop that rolled down her cheek. She then gave him a tight hug. ’I’m devastated thinking that I can’t watch you grow, Rod. But I’m glad you are my son. Just live a happy life and make me proud. You don’t have to be great or successful. I just want you to be happy. Let your brothers know that I want the same for them too. And one more thing,’ she had a playful smile and pulled him closer, ’Among all my sons, you are my favourite. Don’t tell anyone I ever said that, okay?’

Roderick remembered blushing hard when his mother said that. He couldn’t control his happiness, although he knew his mother probably said the same to his brothers too. She then wanted to talk to their dad and it was the last he saw her alive. That night she passed, in their father’s arms just like she wanted.

"I tried to be there for you as much as I could so that you don’t miss our mother and-"

Arthur found himself tearing up looking at his brother. He didn’t doubt his brother’s words. His brother did take care of him very well as he grew up. In that awful place where their grandfather hated them, Rod was his only comfort.

"You say ’dad’ and ’mum’ so easily, but then why did..." Arthur paused as he heard sniffles. It wasn’t from his brother, but from...

"Iris! You’re awake!" Arthur held Talia’s hand. "Why are you crying? Does it hurt anywhere? Tell me, I’ll call for the doctor." He started to panic.

Talia was awakened by Arthur’s loud voice from before. But she knew the brothers need to talk and so she pretended to have not woken up. She was curious to witness the bothers’ reunion too. But hearing Roderick speak, she couldn’t help but get emotional.

"I woke up a long time ago. Fred, you idiot! Let go of my hand and go hug your brother. You have such an amazing big brother and you treat him like this! I wish he was my brother. I’d have appreciated him the way he deserves unlike you," Talia tried to sit up with tears rolling down her cheek and Arthur helped her up.

"What?" Arthur was dumbfounded. This woman almost died and scared him to death by not waking up for this long and the moment she wakes up, she is scolding him?

"See, she’s someone with good eyes and she can appreciate someone like me. But Artie, how can you be so mean to me? Come on; give me a hug like Talia says." Roderick held out his hands with a big smile and Arthur wanted to retch.

"What the- Get out! "

Arthur stood up and grabbed Roderick by his lapel and pulled him out of the room.

"Talia, don’t mind him. I’ll be your big brother. I always wanted a cute sister!"

Talia wiped her tears as she watched Roderick getting dragged away by Arthur as he shouted. She couldn’t help but smile.

These brothers!

Talia pressed the call button for the nurse and massaged her neck. Apart from the slight pain in her ear, she felt fine. She wanted to leave the hospital as soon as possible.

But more importantly, I need to learn what happened to Mr. Ed, Vivian and Marcella.

Talia held her chest as she felt stuffy.

The hallway that was noisy some moments ago now was empty. It seemed like the McAllisters have gotten over their differences.

"That’s a relief! She’s woken up and seems fine. Ask for a doctor to check up nonetheless. I’ll leave now," Roderick patted Arthur in his shoulders and was about to leave.

"I already called for the chief surgeon. But tell me, Rod. How long have you known about this? Did you treat me better because you thought that I was the heir to the Sinclair family and not because I’m your brother?"

"Never, Artie." Roderick hugged Arthur. "It was a great shock when Wilma told me the truth after you were announced as the heir. I was-"

"So it was like that." Arthur could now understand his brother’s reaction. Who knows how he’d behave if someone tells him he is not who he thinks he is! Guess I should forgive my brother. "I’m not sure if I can attend the dinner tonight considering what happened. How is dad? Who’s going to take care of him if he returns home? Can I ask him to stay in the Oakley Castle for the time being?"

Roderick smiled slightly seeing his brother. He is as caring as ever. "I’m planning on moving back, Artie. Dad is feeling lonely and being with his grandchildren will be good for him."

"Oh?" Arthur nodded. His brother who used to hate that mansion as much as he does is now willing to move back for their father. He was delighted as this would be best for everyone. That mansion should be inherited by his elder brother after all.

"I’ll leave now. I’ll inform dad about the dinner. She must be shaken after what happened. Stay with her." Roderick took a step to leave.

"Rod," Arthur stopped him. "Do you want the seat at the table?"

He had a hunch Roderick wanted a Boswell in the Council and that’s why he didn’t want to abolish the council. Maybe he wants to be a part of it? With the Clairmont family’s reputation entirely ruined by Sophia’s act, the Clairmont family will be stricken from the ranks of nobility like the Boswell name was stricken a century back. A new family will be given a title and will take the seat of Clairmont family at the High Council.

Roderick paused and his sweet smile got replaced by a sharp smirk, "Not now, Artie. We’d seem too eager. I’m sure there will be another chance." He turned and walked away and Arthur was slightly shocked.

He really wants to sit in the Council? Why? He wants power? And why is he sure of another chance? Who will be removed from the Council?

"He’s not wrong to think that way."

"Ghah!" Arthur was startled by the soft voice by his ear and he jumped. "Iris! Why are you not in bed?" Arthur led Talia back to her bed. "Why is he not wrong?"

"Him and you... You grew up hearing you were traitors for what your ancestors did. He might want to change what the Boswell name means." Talia said and Arthur only then realised what she meant.

Everything is changing, huh?

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.