Chapter 1714
As Orion grew older, he became even more well-behaved. It had only been a few days since he started school, but he had already earned praise from his teacher, which made Nash incredibly proud. Still, no matter how well things were going, Orion couldn’t stop thinking about Pharaoh.
One day, after earning a gold star at school, he carefully placed it on the door of Pharaoh’s old room.
Noticing this, Nina knelt beside him and gently stroked his hair. “Orion, don’t be sad. Grandpa has become a star now. He’s up in the sky, watching over us. And next year, your aunt’s baby will be born.”
“But Mom,” Orion sniffled, his voice trembling, “Grandpa promised me. He said when I started first grade, he’d teach me how to read and write. He said he would…”
Before he could finish, tears rolled down his cheeks.
When Orion had lived with Dominic, he had been treated with harsh discipline. But during Pharaoh’s time in Birkham, he had spoiled Orion endlessly, showering him with love and care. Whatever Orion needed, Pharaoh had provided within his abilities.
Pharaoh had been especially attentive to Orion’s health because of his frail condition. When the medicine tasted bitter, Pharaoh would patiently coax him, sometimes even turning it into a game or preparing special meals to make him feel better. He would also take Orion out to play, giving him moments of joy and freedom.
Once, Orion had asked Pharaoh, “Grandpa, don’t you want to go home?”
Pharaoh’s home, after all, was in the Yaren Tribe.
Pharaoh had stroked Orion’s head gently. “Orion, wherever you and your mom are, that’s my home. I made many mistakes in the past and spent years apart from your mom. Now that we’re together again, how could I leave? Besides, living here is pretty good, isn’t it?” He had spent time crafting things with Orion, raising little chicks, planting flowers, and tending to a small garden.
But now…
Aside from his classmates and little Charlie, who visited occasionally, Orion spent most of his days alone.
Nina stroked his head gently, her
voice soft. “Grandpa has just gone to another world, Orion. Everyone comes into this life with a purpose, but one day, we all have to leave. I
know it’s hard, but we have to
accept that it’s part of
eContent
Who wouldn’t wish for their loved ones to stay with them forever? Nina wished it too, but Pharaoh’s time had come. In his final moments, he had seen visions, but his heart had been content.
“Orion, how about this weekend we go see Charlie? Or during your summer break, I’ll take you to visit the Yaren Tribe. It’s doing really well now.”
“Going to see Charlie sounds good. But what about Gemma?” Orion asked, brows furrowed in concern. “I read on my tablet that flying is really hard for babies.”
Orion had a tablet, but he never
overused it. He would watch for half
an hour and then set it down, and instead of cartoons, he preferred watching documentaries on medicine, space, or astronomy.
Nina never interfered because, in her eyes, a child with curiosity and interests was a good thing.
Nina smiled softly. “It’s only a little uncomfortable during takeoff and landing, that’s all. Besides, I’ve been meaning to visit the Yaren Tribe. Your
I
t is still there, and I worry
about her.”
“Okay,” Orion nodded. He wanted to visit the place where his grandfather had lived, to see it for himself.
*
Meanwhile, back on Jamie’s side.
When Ben woke up from his hangover, it was already the following afternoon. His head throbbed painfully, as though someone were pounding on it with a sledgehammer. But when he turned his head, he saw Jamie sitting there.
“I thought you were on a business trip. When did you get back?”