Chapter 33 Mentally Tired
It was a happy afternoon in the Hart Residence. Philip kept asking Madeline about the twins and their days before they came to the residence. Madeline entertained him, and he laughed out loud sometimes.
An hour flew by. Philip, who was still asking all the details about the twins, suddenly changed the topic. He looked at Sebastian and Madeline. “Why don’t you two get registered?”
“What did you say, Mr. Philip?” Madeline didn’t understand what he was saying. “Register what?”
“What do you mean ‘register what’?'” Philip said matter-of-factly. “Marriage registration, of course.”
“I am sorry? Marriage registration?” She was surprised, but she smiled. “You must be joking, Mr. Philip.” I’ve only known Sebastian for a couple of days, and we have only spent a few hours together, but you want us to get married already?
“I am not.” Philip looked at her seriously. “Do you want them to call the boys illegitimate children?”
Madeline paused. They were only two words, but it hurt her where it was the most painful. She had suffered for years because she was the daughter of an illegitimate child, and she wouldn’t wish her boys to tread the same path.
“No matter what the reason is, illegitimate children are always looked down upon in Dusktown,” Philip answered slowly. “If you don’t want the boys to suffer that fate, you’ll have to get registered as Sebastian’s legal wife. Even if it’s just a fake marriage and you guys get divorced in a few days, that’ll still make the boys legit children, and they won’t have to suffer any discrimination.”
Madeline was tempted to agree. She could do anything for her sons. As long as they could be legitimate kids and never tread the thorny path she did, she could even sell herself and become a servant, let alone get married. She looked at Sebastian, “Is that fine?”
Philip looked at him as well. He might look calm, but he was actually quite nervous.
He wasn’t sure if Sebastian would agree. He knew his son well enough to know that he wouldn’t. After all, Sebastian disagreed even though all he wanted was for him to go on a blind date back then. He had flown into a rage and threatened Sebastian, but he still failed. This time around, it was a marriage. That was a bigger hurdle than a date, but he hoped Sebastian would agree.
The kids were too adorable, and he didn’t want them to be labeled as illegitimate children. Madeline was a good lady too, and she was a great match for Sebastian. If they can get married, they’d be a family. How good is that? And after they get married, the kids can stay here with Sebastian. I can also pass away in peace once that happens. He stared at his son and awaited his answer with bated breaths.
Sebastian looked at Madeline for a silent moment, then he nodded. “Yes.”
Philip couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What did you say, brat?”
“Dad!” Sebastian shot his father a resigned look. “I’m a father now. Can you at least show me some respect and don’t call me a brat?”
Philip snorted. “Even if you’re a grandfather, that still doesn’t change the fact that I’m your old man.” He looked at Sebastian. “I can call you whatever I want.”
Well, I can’t say anything about that. He’s my father.
“And stop changing the topic.” He glared at Sebastian. “I didn’t hear what you just said. Say it again.”
Sebastian sighed. “I said I’ll get registered with Maddie.”
“Maddie? It’s been like, what, a couple of days? And you already have a nickname for her?” He patted Sebastian’s shoulder and looked at him mysteriously. “Well, so you’re not a total idiot.” He muttered, “Oh, I get it. So you were lying when you said you weren’t interested in women and relationships. Work is the only thing that can give you satisfaction? Bull. In the end, you just don’t like the girls I chose because they’re not as pretty as dear little Maddie here. I’m a man of culture, but my son cares only for a woman’s looks? How disappointing.”
Honestly, Dad, this is why I don’t want to talk to you sometimes.
Philip might have muttered under his breath, but he was close enough for Madeline to hear him. She smiled. She thought Philip was a kind and interesting man. He loved his son and her boys deeply, and she respected people like him a lot. She felt close to him too, as if he was her own father who cared about her.
The household was a nice place as well. Philip might mock Sebastian a lot, but she could see that Sebastian was Philip’s whole world, just like how the boys were hers. He could mock his own son, but nobody else could.
Sebastian treated his father well too. He might be a cold, uncaring man to the world, but he wouldn’t get impatient with his father, nor would he retort when his father mocked him. Instead, he would always listen to whatever his father had to say.
Philip might look like he had a lot to complain about his son, but they were actually a happy family. It was a great relationship, and Madeline could truly smile at that.
She liked the Hart Family. The boys would have a really happy childhood if they grew up here. Because of that, she was delighted and thankful that Sebastian would want to marry her. Just like what Philip said, even if they were divorced shortly after the marriage, it wouldn’t change the fact that her boys had become legitimate children.
She was Sebastian’s first wife, and her sons would be the direct descendants of Sebastian. Even if they were to get a divorce, her sons could still stay with them without any questions asked, and they would grow up happily. Though, she would like it if the marriage were to go on for just a bit longer. She wanted her sons to live in a family where both parents were present and married.
