Gaius and the kids continued their breakfast without Clarke… again.

Clarke often skipped breakfast with them, though at least he always came for dinner, bringing gifts for the kids, eating with the family, and then fell asleep after bath.

Honestly, nothing changed after that incident when Gaius almost lost his life.

Clarke tried to spend more time and 'look' more caring to the family, but it felt… forced. He still cared a lot for his company than his family.

But Gaius knew exactly why Clarke cared more about the company because he could cheat freely with his goddamn secretary that looked like his old wife.

Gaia was basically a younger, female, sexier version of him.

"Mom…"

"Hm? Yes?" Gaius snapped out of his daze when Hermes called him.

"Dad doesn't change…."

"What do you mean?"

"Dad is still too busy with his work. He never spends time with us…." Hermes sulked again.

"Don't say that. Didn't he give you many toys these days?"

"I don't really like playing with toys anymore…." Hermes said. "I have enough toys, but I can't play those toys with Dad."

Artemis was only 3 years old, so she could be bribed with a lot of toys. But Hermes had more consciousness and maturity beyond his age. At least he knew that toys wouldn't make everything better. He was still lonely.

"Father's day is coming soon, my school held a competition, and the fathers are obliged to come."

"Oh, don't worry, I can replace your Dad—"

"No, you always replace him every year, Mom," Hermes refused solemnly. "I want to play with Dad once, at least compete in those school competitions with Dad."

"Ah… H—Hermes, I'll talk to your Dad later, okay?"

"It's no use, Mom," Hermes got up from the chair. He picked up his backpack and then hugged his little sister, who was still playing with her doll.

"I'll ask Uncle Reed to replace Dad in Father's Day."

"What— Don't be rash, I'll ask your Dad first after the returned home, okay?" Gaius went defensive instantly the moment Hermes mentioned Reed. It seemed that Hermes was more attached to Reed because that evil man gave him the father figure he truly needed.

"…" Hermes started hesitating. He was dead set to just ask Uncle Reed to accompany him instead. Despite his wish that his Dad would come for the father's day event in school.

But when his Mom persuaded him, Hermes couldn't help but obey. He truly loved and obeyed his Mom and couldn't bear to reject his persuasion.

"Huh? What's with the gloomy mood? Of course, I'll come for the father's day, Champ," Gaius and the kids heard someone from the door.

Reed was leaning on the door while crossing his arms. He had a little devilish grin on his face as he drew near Hermes and Artemis. He patted their heads and smiled, "You guys are going to school today?"

"Uncle Reed!" Artemis and Hermes said in unison.

"Uncle! Please come with me to the Father's day competition in my school! We're going to be a team!"

"Oh? A team? Sure! But you should know that Uncle Reed is a lot more competitive than I look. So you got to keep up, okay?"

"Don't worry, Uncle! I'm fast and strong. I can keep up with you! Thanks, Uncle!" Hermes cheered up instantly. He regained part of that childishness that seemed to disappear whenever Clarke was around.

Hermes was, in the end, still a kid who wanted to play with his father. Since Clarke wasn't around, he found another man to be his father figure.

Unfortunately, that father figure was the devious Reed Ville.

After Artemis and Hermes teleported away with a smile on their face, Gaius was once again facing Reed alone.

Gaius took a step back and glanced at the door, "How could you enter?"

"The door is unlocked. I knocked a few times without an answer, so I just stormed in, haha~."

Reed leisurely sat on the dining table and then started eating the food that hadn't been eaten at all. As usual, Gaius cooked a big batch, so Reed could get a full serving without eating leftovers.

"I didn't invite you to eat here, Reed."

"Well, I'm here because I feel like it. This is still my big brother's house, right? I'm pretty sure he wouldn't mind."

Gaius gritted his teeth out of frustration. It was truly impossible to debate this shameless man.

"Then, what do you want here?"

"Oh, I was just visiting. But I coincidentally saw Clarke in a car, driving with Gaia in the driver seat," Reed said. "They look like a pair in honeymoon. I even saw them kissing before heading off somewhere."

"Stop your bullshit. You know I won't believe it."

"Really? You won't believe what I'm saying? That's too bad~."

"Clarke said that he went to Gathem City alone, and I believe him. So stop trying to ruin my life with Clarke!"

"You really believe what Clarke is saying? Oh, seriously, brother-in-law, how could you be so clueless!" Reed yelled out loud. "Don't you see the pattern? If it's just a charity event in Gathem city, he could just bring you and the kids there. There's no harm in it."

"But he didn't, right? Of course, that charity event is just a facade! He went with Gaia because they want to get away from you as far as possible, so they can spend their nights together!"

Gaius went silent instantly. Because deep down, he already suspected that Clarke must've gone with Gaia.

But he was still an idiot with blind faith. He kept believing there was a chance to mend this almost broken family.

"If you still don't believe me, then I'll come tomorrow with proof," Reed suddenly said.

"A proof?"

"Yes, a proof that Clarke is cheating with Gaia. And after that, you'll never doubt my words anymore," Reed stated so confidently, as if that was the truth about Clarke.

Gaius hesitated for a moment, but he chose to believe in his Husband, "G--Go on! All you do is spewing bullshit about your own big brother! Go on and show me that proof you're talking about!"

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