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He trailed off, his eyes lingering on Nicholas again, before he removed his gaze once more, looking as though he wished to remove his attention from the child but found it difficult to do.

“If he is mine – if – he still is not part of a life I want for myself. I wouldn’t be an ideal choice for a responsible figure in his life.

Neither if us need to nurse such disappointments in our lives.

He needs someone to care for him and I do not feel as though I could take on that role.

” He added, his tone a little reluctant.

Julian glanced at Anna and stepped closer to Seth.

“You can barely take your eyes of him.”

“It is strange, how much he resembles me. B-But he could belong to any one of father’s bast– ehm . A man as promiscuous as father must have had other children. Those eyes could belong to many other children across London.” Seth argued.

Interestingly enough, he did not raise his voice, maintaining a soft and gentle tone, as though he was trying not to startle the child in his arms.

“Why would they end up here? None of those – if they even exist – are our responsibility. Denying it like this doesn’t do much for you, brother.” Julian shook his head with a disapproving look.

“I do not know what you want from me,” Seth hissed, stepping back slightly.

“Be honest, Lord Harrow,” Anna urged, speaking up before Julian could. “What do you truly feel and think about this child?”

Seth hesitated for a moment, then he moved close once more, as though mesmerized by the sight if Nicholas.

“He is smaller than I thought he would be. Or perhaps… bigger? He certainly looks like a little marvel. I – I came to ask my brother for money because, at that time, nothing else was worth more than that. But now… I see that perhaps I have missed out on something much more valuable.” He added softly, his eyes bearing nothing but awe as he watched Nicholas wriggle about in Anna’s grasp.

Anna seemed surprised by his words and she glanced at Julian who was also as just as taken aback as she was, unable to reconcile the brother he had known all his life with the man standing in front of him.

“May I – is it all right if I hold him? Just for a little bit.” Seth requested hesitantly, looking nervous.

Anna lowered her gaze to Nicholas, before looking up at Seth again, and then she nodded.

“All right. Just… just for a little bit.” She said quietly, stepping closer to Seth.

He tried to look brave, but immediately the child was in his hands and Anna had pulled back, Seth’s expression said that he was out of his depth. Still, he did his best to remain calm as he attempted to move Nicholas into a cradle posture in which he would feel comfortable.

Anna watched him carefully, overcome with bittersweet feelings at the sight of Nicholas finally meeting with his father.

She was happy that at the very least his father was not averse to the idea of being a parent.

She and Julian had taken good care to ensure that his parents would have no concerns whenever they were to receive Nicholas, so Seth had nothing in the past to worry about.

However, the thought of parting from Nicholas made her heart squeeze painfully in her chest. Nothing had been finalized yet, but still, with Seth’s current reaction, it was determined that everything was safe and sound – likely until Nicholas’ mother was found – she was reminded that he wasn’t hers to keep and someday, she would need to part ways.

“You’ll hurt him if you keep carrying him like that,” Julian scolded Seth, eyeing the positions of his hands on Nicholas.

Seth was immediately remorseful, if not disappointed, and he asked to be shown the right way to carry Nicholas. Julian sighed, long-suffering as he directed his brother, reminding Anna of the way she directed him to carry Nicholas as well.

Her husband had come a long way, and thinking of how much they had grown together made her stomach clench. He had changed from some ignorant, selfish man to the attentive, caring man she saw before her and the idea of being apart was a difficult pill to swallow.

Anna believed Julian would make a wonderful father.

He was certainly a wonderful candidate and she was absolutely sure that a family with him would be a heavenly experience.

She knew that his support and affection had encouraged her to take proper care of Nicholas. And if they were to both leave her –

Anna had never been one to crave a family, had never thought she would desperately crave her own little haven with people she would love, who would love her back and see her of worthy of every good thing life has to offer.

Yet, here she was, feeling lost over the impending departure of her husband and his nephew.

Tears filled her eyes and she blinked them away, feeling overwhelmed by the devastating realization that she couldn’t imagine her life without Julian and Nicholas. She cleared her throat and quickly excused herself from the room.

“Hm?” Julian shifted his attention to her, immediately noticing her distress as she exited the room.

“W-Wait, where is she going? Does she not need to ensure that I do not drop him?” Seth wondered in alarm.

“Shh, keep your voice down or you’ll startle him,” Julian instructed, motioning for Seth to stay put.

He quickly left the nursery, relieved to find Eloise waiting a few doors down. He instructed her to follow him and when they returned to the nursery, he told her,

“Look after my brother while he spends time with Nicholas. If anything seems out of place, you have my permission to remove Nicholas from his grasp. Until then, just keep an eye on them both.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Eloise curtsied.

“Where are you going?” Seth demanded in a hushed tone.

Julian cast a singular glance backward and replied,

“To see if my wife is all right.”