FreeNovelThalassa recognized him instantly-her son, Atticus Everhart! Though he had grown taller and older, he was still the child she had raised. His features, his demeanor, and that inherent warmth about him drew Thalassa's gaze and tugged at her heartstrings the moment he appeared.
Overcwith emotion, she ran towards him and, just like in the past, squatted down to be at eye level with him. But now, squatting made her even shorter than Atticus, forcing her to look up at him instead. With her hands on his shoulders and tears in her eyes, Thalassa examined Atticus closely, confirming in her heart that this really was her child.
Unable to hide her longing, Thalassa embraced Atticus tightly, pouring all the years of missing him into that hug. Holding him, she exclaimed excitedly, "Atticus, it really is you, Atticus. You've grown so much, nearly as tall as your mom now..." After all, he was still just a seven or eight-year-old kid.
Atticus stiffened for a moment, unaccustomed to being hugged after three years, but soon relaxed, knowing that the person embracing him was his mom-the mom he remembered every day while at military school. Atticus gently hugged Thalassa back, his voice still young as he said, "Mom, stand up, don't squat, your legs will go numb." As Atticus said this, he also tightened his embrace, helping Thalassa to stand. Hearing the long-missed term "mom," Thalassa felt a surge of emotion and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. She cried with relief and joy as Atticus helped her up. Letting go of Atticus, she steadied herself on his shoulders, her vision blurred with tears, and looked at him closely, "My Atticus has really grown up. If you grow any more, mom might not even recognize you." Seeing Thalassa cry, Atticus, who was usually reserved, felt his eyes grow warm. He raised his hand to wipe away her tears, trying to keep his voice steady as he said, "Mom, no matter how long, I'll always recognize you." Atticus's words brought Thalassa to tears again. The child before her was the treasure she had longed for day and night. Three years had passed, and he had grown from a little treasure into a big one.
"Mom, don't cry, or you won't look pretty anymore. Dad might start complaining," Atticus said, his youthful voice teasing slightly. Thalassa laughed through her tears, quickly wiping her face, and took Atticus to Lysander's side, saying, "This is your dad, you haven't greeted him yet." She had been so caught up in the joy of reuniting with Atticus that she almost forgot to introduce him to Lysander. Atticus looked Lysander up and down with a cool gaze. The man, once towering and unapproachable, now seemed smaller, seated in a wheelchair. Lysander still wore a bespoke black suit, dignified and elegant, yet lacking his usual commanding presence. Atticus knew his dad was in a wheelchair because his legs wouldn't carry him. And today, it was because of his dad's inability to stand that Payton and Wyatt had gathered to bully his dad and mom!
Looking at Lysander, Atticus felt both aggrieved and pained, enduring the ache in his heart without a word, appearing expressionless. But Lysander, gripping the armrestsM tightly, fixed his gaze on his son, Atticus. The little guy looked so much like him, a miniature version of his younger self. He even saw in his eyes the spride and resolve that he had as a young man. Lysander was proud of Atticus! Yet, he was unable to pave the way for him or shield him. Now, he was just a man confined to a wheelchair, dwarfed even by his own son.
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