Chapter 656 I Will Not Do It Again
“No. Of course not. We’re coming,” Clayton and Franklin chorused.
Pressing her lips into a line, Natalie continued, “Then come out with me.”
The kids bit their lips and exchanged a glance before finally following Natalie out of the room.
Xavian and Sophia glanced at each other, worried that Natalie would find out about Clayton’s injury. Despite their worries, however, they couldn’t do anything about it. They hoped Clayton could face everything Natalie threw at him.
Clayton and Franklin followed Natalie to the study quietly.
She took a seat with her legs crossed and looked at the boys.
“Do any of you have anything to tell me?” Natalie wanted them to confess and owe up to it instead of forcing their confession.
“No,” they both answered.
She frowned at their denial. It was within her expectation that they would deny it.
She didn’t know why they still wouldn’t confess when they had already guessed that she had found out about it. It seemed that they were still holding on to a tiny sliver of hope that she hadn’t found out as long as she didn’t bring it up with them.
Natalie got up from her chair and stepped in front of them.
“I’m not someone that likes to interrogate. I know the two of you are young and have your secrets, but you’re my sons. You can’t hide something as serious as an injury from me,” she said with a grave tone as she met their gazes.
“Hiding your injuries from me won’t relieve any of my worries. It’ll just make them worse. I don’t like nor care for white lies, especially when it comes to your health and safety.”
They are my flesh and blood. I don’t mind getting hurt if it can spare them from the pain.
Franklin and Clayton exchanged a glance as a pang of guilt hit them at her words.
In the end, Franklin conceded after catching the sincerity in his mother’s eyes. “Mommy, it was Clayton. His arm got burned. Since the truth is out now, can you look at his injury and treat it with more suitable medicine?”
“You—” Clayton didn’t think that Franklin would let the cat out of the bag so easily.
“Clayton, Mommy is right.” Franklin lowered his head and said, “Hiding your injury got us all worried. The injury on your arm is quite severe. I know Sophia has treated it, but she’s inexperienced. You need help from a professional.”
“Clayton…”
“Mommy, I…” Clayton hung his head with guilt, not daring to meet Natalie’s gaze.
“Franklin, I have something to speak with Clayton privately, so I need you to leave the room. Don’t worry. I’ll treat him later,” Natalie instructed.
“Okay.” Franklin nodded as he whirled around to leave the study.
Soon, only Natalie and Clayton remained in the study.
“Remove your coat and roll up your sleeve.”
Clayton knew there was no point in hiding his injury any longer, so he obediently complied and rolled up his sleeve, revealing the full extent of his injury.
His previous fair, smooth arm was now covered with burn scars and spots.
Natalie’s heart clenched at the sight.
“Clayton, you’re all grown up now, is that it? How could you hide such a serious injury from me?” Natalie scolded with reddened eyes.
Clayton merely stayed quiet.
After a long silence, he finally lifted his head slowly and looked at Natalie guiltily.
“Mommy, I’m sorry. It’s my fault.” Tears filled his eyes. “My injuries were not that bad, but the scars were too ugly and scary. I didn’t want you to get upset, so I thought I’d hide it from you till it got better. I figured you won’t feel so upset when you see it then.”
