Silent Hearts: Operation Breaking His Ice Heart (Complete)

Chapter 48

Author's POV:

After dinner, Ada excused himself politely and led Aiden upstairs. The little boy clung to him so tightly it was as if letting go meant losing him forever. Every step Ada took, Aiden's small hand was gripping the fabric of his trousers, refusing to let go.

In their room, Ada crouched down to his son's level, brushing his hair gently.

"Baby, is something wrong?" Ada asked softly, but Aiden just shook his head and hugged him tighter.

"Nothing, Mommy," Aiden whispered.

Ada sighed but didn't push. He helped Aiden change into his fresh sleepwear first, letting him settle on the bed with his favorite plushie. Then he rushed to take a quick shower, his heart twisting when he imagined Aiden crying if he stayed away too long.

When he came out, Aiden was sitting on the bed, hugging his knees. His little face looked pale under the soft bedroom lights.

Ada sat beside him, drying his hair with a towel.

"Baby," Ada said gently, his voice coaxing, "You know you can always tell Mommy what's on your mind, right?"

Aiden nodded slightly.

"And what does Mommy always say?" Ada prompted with a small smile.

Aiden's little voice recited softly, almost like a mantra:

"Lying is bad. And if something is wrong, always tell Mommy."

"That's right," Ada encouraged. He cupped Aiden's cheeks gently. "So, what is it, baby? Tell Mommy."

Aiden's lip trembled. Tears welled in his big eyes before he suddenly launched himself into Ada's arms, sobbing.

"M-Mommy..." Aiden hiccupped, "I'm sorry. I'm very sorry."

Ada froze, his arms automatically wrapping around his son.

"Hey, hey... why?" Ada tilted Aiden's face to look at him. "What happened? Why are you sorry?"

Aiden cried harder, clinging to him as if his little world was crumbling.

"Because you're hurt," Aiden sobbed. "You and Sir Rhythm... you separated because of me. Because of my mom. Because of me!"

Ada's heart twisted painfully. His throat tightened, but he blinked back his own tears - he didn't want his son to see him break.

"Oh, baby..." Ada whispered, hugging him tighter. "Listen to me. This is not your fault, okay? Not even a little bit. You are the most precious thing that has ever happened to me. Do you hear me?"

Aiden sniffled and nodded against Ada's shoulder.

"When you're all grown up, you'll understand everything," Ada continued, stroking his back soothingly. "But for now, trust Mommy. There is nothing you should be sorry for."

"But..." Aiden hiccupped again, pulling back to look at him with wet eyes. "Sir Rhythm might be mad that I'm here. And, Mom... if there's ever a chance that Sir Rhythm wants you back, you can give me to Mommy Lea so you can be happy."

Ada's breath caught, and his heart shattered into pieces.

"No, baby. No!" Ada said firmly, tears finally escaping his eyes. "I will never give you away. Not now, not ever. You will always be my first choice. No matter what happened back then, no matter how many times life tests me, I will always choose you. Always."