The Remorseful Brothers Novel

That morning, Gavin was hard at work. He managed to care for Grace while thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the entire house He even aired out the rooms and replaced the curtains.

Madeline sat on the couch, holding Grace, and watched Gavin, who was wearing an apron, tending to the plants on the Bakony. She rested her chin on Grace’s soft head. “Grace, why is your Daddy Gavin working so hard today? Is he stressed out and trying to relieve it?”

Her voice was sofi and gentle, but Gavin heard her clearly and looked up with a smile. If I’m Daddy Gavin, then what are you, Mommy Maddie?”

Sure. Madeline blinked playfully. “Being godparents works too. We may not replace her parents, but we can help out.”

Gavin’s smile grew even brighter than the primroses he was tending. He thought, ‘If I am Daddy and Maddie is Mommy, does that make us a family? To Maddie, it seems we are already family Gavin felt his dedication was incredibly rewarding.

He said. “Grace, we’ll raise you well, and one day you better come visit the old couple.”

Madeline paused. “What are you thinking? Us as an old couple?”

She noticed lately that Gavin seemed enveloped in some subtle atmosphere, almost like a newlywed wife deeply in love. Madeline shook her head quickly, thinking. “No, I can’t describe Gavvy like that

But, a newlywed husband might carry an added sense of responsibility, while a newlywed wife would hold soft hopes for the future. Gavin embodies that gentle hopefulness!

Madeline coughed lightly. “Gavvy, if you’re tired, take a break. Don’t keep pushing yourself.”

“No worries, I enjoy it,” Gavin replied cheerfully as he continued to hang the laundry. “Maddie, want me to wash all your clothes too? The weather’s great today.”

“Why wash perfectly clean clothes? Madeline rolled her eyes, thinking, “Something feels off with Gavvy

In the afternoon, someone rang the doorbell Madeline moved to open it but was stopped by Gavin. She looked at him curiously, tilting her head in question

He said, “Maddie, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” asked Madeline. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Yeah, just sit tight with Grace. I’ll get the door.” Gavin checked his appearance in the hallway mirror, making sure he looked. polite and welcoming. He wore a warm, respectful smile as he opened the door.

“You made it here so quickly, thanks for His smile froze.

Standing at the door was Calch with a stern expression, his usual intense gaze fixed sharply on Gavin. It wasn’t a friendly look. “Gavin, you better explain what’s going on. Caleb demanded coldly.

From the living room, Madeline called out, “Is that you, Caleb? Come on in”

Caleb gave Gavin a pointed look. “Let’s talk outside.”

Gavin tapped his knuckles against his lips, coughing slightly. “Maddie, I’m heading out to buy some fruit.”

Madeline didn’t suspect anything. “Oh, okay. Get some peaches.”

The two of them took the elevator down in silence and headed to the grocery store to actually buy a large bag of fruit.

After checking out, Caleb finally spoke up, “Where did the child come from? It’s best to find another home before your feelings deepen.”

Gavin paused. “Can’t I, as an adult, make my own decisions?”

“You’re both single and unmarried, barely out of school, Caleb replied coolly, with a hint of disdain. “Do you think raising a child is like keeping a pet? Remember why we were in that orphanage.”

11:02 AM

Cavin knew. Most people in the orphanage weren’t orphans but were abandoned by irresponsible parents.

But he wasn’t like that. He might not have time to be with Grace constantly, but he had the means to provide for her materially. Sending her to an orphanage or another family didn’t guarantee her happiness.

“Grace’s parents have passed away; they were under my care,” Gavin said quietly, holding the fruit bag. “In the worst case, I can hire a nanny. She might not get parental love, but she’ll live comfortably.”

Caleb was different from Gavin. He was a successful leader, the first of the Zodiac of Asuras in the Phantom Organization. When it came to emotions, he was completely detached. To him, his subordinates were just that–subordinates, nothing more..

At the top of the social pyramid, Caleb didn’t concern himself with others‘ struggles. Everyone deals with hardships; life is suffering. He might watch others‘ misfortune from afar but wouldn’t intervene.

Looking at Gavin, Caleb harshly questioned his motives, “Are you using Grace to tie Maddie to you? If you’re committing to this child’s future, consider Maddie’s age. She’s young and has her own future family ahead.

“I get it, girls are compassionate, but she shouldn’t be burdened by this.” Caleb continued, “No matter who she marries later on, you’ll only be able to watch and not interfere

Gavin was silent. He thought, I am not always rational; I am more emotional. Caleb has a point, but if life has to be all logic, where is the joy!

“I need warmth; I can’t do without her. Life like this is beautiful, with no regrets if I were to die tomorrow. Love is about effort, and I won’t regret trying” Gavin turned to Caleb. “You didn’t used to be so generous. Do you not like her anymore?”

Caleb let out a low chuckle, ambiguous in tone–perhaps resigned, perhaps mocking.

Gavin couldn’t–and didn’t really want to–understand Caleb’s attitude. It didn’t matter. They walked back home in silence, only to find the house already full.

Gavin’s expression darkened when he saw Eugene on the couch cuddling the baby. “Eugene, what are you doing?”

“Adopting a child without telling us? We’re always happy to be godfathers, Eugene replied with a grin, holding Grace playfully. “Grace, I’m your Daddy Eugene. They say kids grow up nice if they hang around good–looking people.”

Madeline couldn’t help but laugh from the side. “Believe it or not, she’s starting to tell who she likes even though she’s only two

months old.”

Eugene chuckled, “A child connected to our Maddie will naturally be smart and adorable. Has she got a name? How about Grace Sharp? It has a nice ring to it.”

Still standing at the door, Gavin could hear Eugene’s ambitions clearly. He thought, ‘He has quite the plan.

Eugene then looked at Gavin with a grin. “Aren’t you happy? Grace Sharp sounds better than Grace Newton, right?”

“Oh really?” Gavin crossed his arms and replied coolly. “Too bad she’s named Grace Larson already. The paperwork is done: no changing it.