Julia's Tantrum

"Don't be angry. I'm just asking," Samuel replied, flashing a sly smile on his lips. William's current expression provided Samuel with very clear information. In his heart, Samuel was delighted, feeling that he would have fresh gossip material to share with his wife at home.

Samuel then patted William on the back while expressing prayers and good wishes for his cousin. "This and that are different!" he whispered sincerely into William's ear. "Don't sacrifice your son's happy childhood for your ego."

***

William spent the night in deep contemplation. Samuel's words had stirred something within him that he couldn't easily dismiss. 

The next morning, as the sun spilled through the windows, William found himself in the study once again, a fresh cup of coffee in hand. He needed to clear his mind and make sense of the chaos of emotions that had taken root within him. Lukas was spending time with Ava in the garden, which gave William some much-needed solitude.