Chapter 457
"How about letting her stay with the Eilish family for a bit?" Mia suggested cautiously. Aidan immediately got angry. "Are you out of your mind? When did you start siding with her? Are you trying to drive me crazy?"
"Of course not. I'm on your side."
"If you were, you wouldn't suggest something so ridiculous. You've seen how she treats me; she even cursed me. If I have to deal with her, she'll drive me to my grave."
Mia frowned. "But think about our grandson. Oliver was raised by her, so he's naturally closer to her. You heard him yesterday; when he was unconscious, he kept asking for Susan."
"That's just temporary. He'll forget about Susan soon enough."
"Maybe for an ordinary kid, but our grandson is a genius. His intellect and memory are way beyond his age; you can't fool him. He probably thinks we're bullying his mom. If we keep them apart, he'll side with Susan. If he ends up hating us, do you think he'll want to come back to the Eilish family? He won't even want to see us."
Aidan waved his hand impatiently. "You're worrying too much. I can handle this."
Mia muttered, "You haven't even managed to handle our son all these years; where's this confidence coming from?"
Aidan, feeling his pride wounded, got angry. "What did you say?"
"I'm just stating the facts." Mia calmly reasoned, "Aidan, after all these years, I know your temper. You can't tolerate even a grain of sand in your eye. You can drive Susan away, but you'll have to deal with our grandson hating us. Is our grandson more important, or is your temper more important? You decide."
Aidan fell silent, his brows furrowed.
Inside the room, Susan was feeding Oliver.
"Mum's oatmeal is so fragrant and sweet; it's the best," Oliver said with a contented smile.
"It may taste good, but it can't beat all the fancy stuff you eat." Susan gave her a playful scolding look. "You upset your stomach in just two days, eating so much."
Oliver stuck out his tongue and hugged Susan's arm, acting cute. "No way, the best food in the world is mommy's oatmeal. I love it the most."
Susan couldn't help but laugh. Facing such an adorable little face, she couldn't even pretend to be angry. Besides, her anger stemmed from worry. Love made one irrational.
Her greatest wish was for her son to be healthy and safe. If there were any misfortune, she would rather bear it herself.
"Oliver." Susan lovingly caressed his cute little face. "Mommy loves you."
"I love you too, mommy." Oliver made a heart shape with his hands above his head, making Susan laugh.
When Caleb walked in, the mother and son were hugging and laughing, a scene that touched the softest part of his heart.
He was willing to give everything to protect their smiles.
As soon as Caleb entered, although Susan's face showed no emotion, her eyes became colder and more hostile.
"Good morning, uncle."
"Good morning." Caleb brought in a sandwich and milk. "Breakfast."
Susan didn't take it.
Oliver, being perceptive, didn't wait for Caleb to signal and called out, "Mommy, it's time for breakfast, Mommy."
"I'm not hungry right now."
"You'll be hungry later. If you don't eat, how will you have the energy to take care of me? You fed me, now it's my turn to feed you."
Oliver fed Susan the sandwich pieces, and she had no choice but to eat.
Caleb chuckled softly. His son was the perfect way to get through to her.
Oliver "supervised" Susan until she finished all the sandwiches and milk, then rewarded her with a kiss. "Mommy, you're awesome!"
Susan beamed at Oliver but shot a cold glance at Caleb. She knew he had planned this. If they were alone, she might have thrown the plate at him.
"Mommy, the sun is so bright outside. Can I go to the yard to get some sun?"
"No, the doctor said you need to stay in bed for a few days."
"Isn't that boring?" Oliver pouted.
"Who says you can't? You can go now."
Another voice chimed in.
"Grandpa."
'That annoying old man again. Couldn't he just disappear?' Susan thought.
Oliver, trying to avoid conflict, quickly said, "If mommy says I can't go, then I won't. I can get sunlight in the room too."
"What does she know? Don't listen to her. The yard has flowers, trees, and fresh air. Getting more sun will help you recover."
Susan sneered, "If you knew anything, you wouldn't have caused my son to get a stomach infection."
"Stop harping on that. It's because you raised him with a weak stomach. Keeping him in the room isn't good for his recovery."
"He needs to stay in bed and not move around."
"Ignorant woman!"
"Arrogant fool!"
"Grandpa, mommy, stop arguing." Oliver shouted, "You're making my ears hurt. How can I rest with all this noise?"
Both of them fell silent, but their faces were still grim.
"I know you're both doing this for my sake, but I'd rather you get along than go outside for some fresh air. Your constant arguing worries me. How can I rest well like this?"
Caleb said, "Oliver is right. For his speedy recovery, you need to get along."
"Look at her attitude. How can I..."
"Grandpa."
Aidan gripped his cane tightly, barely holding back his anger.
"Mommy, you stay with me during the day, and grandpa and grandma will stay with me at night."
Susan immediately refused, "No way." She would never let them get close to her son, especially not alone.
"Mommy, do it for me."
"Oliver."
"Please." Oliver shook her little hand, pleading with his eyes.
Susan was a thousand times unwilling, but she couldn't refuse her son's pleading eyes. She couldn't harden her heart.
While she was still hesitating, Caleb made the decision, "That's the arrangement."
Susan glared at him. 'Who gave him the right to decide?'
"I'll take care of my grandson at night. You can leave." Aidan didn't want her to stay.
"Wherever Oliver is, that's where I'll be."
Caleb's lips curled into a subtle smile. He knew her temper well, and everything was going according to his plan.
Oliver secretly gave him an "ok" gesture.
"Who said you could stay?"
"I don't want to either." But she was even less willing to leave her son with them alone.
Aidan didn't want her to stay, but she insisted on staying. She would never let Oliver be alone with them.