Stepping into the study, Fitch found Nolan perched quietly at his custom-made kiddie desk, a miniature version of the one where Fitch often conducted his meetings. Whenever business was underway, Nolan would sit silently beside him, a picture of calm composure.

The kid spoke so rarely that even a couple of extra questions from Fitch made him feel like he was talking to himself.

"Nolan, are you hungry, buddy?"

The icy demeanor Fitch usually carried melted away in his son's presence, as if he was the first bloom of spring.

"No."

"What have you been up to today? Didn't see you come down at all."

Nolan's gaze remained fixed on a picture book, the soft light caressing his hair, giving it a fluffy appearance.

Without an answer, Fitch leaned in closer to see what had captured his son's attention.

The page Nolan was on depicted a scene about searching for a mother, a book he had read several times before.

Fitch hadn't realized it contained such a storyline.

Sharon's words echoed in his mind, suggesting a woman's presence at home would make a difference. Nolan might be missing a mother's love.

He reached out, gently ruffling the boy's hair.

"Nolan, how about daddy finds you a new mommy, would that be good?"

A flicker of emotion crossed Nolan's eyes as he looked up.

Fitch thought he had struck a chord. If Nolan needed it, he was willing to marry again.

But Nolan's head quickly dropped, "No, don't, I don't want that."

The five words came out in one breath, revealing his strong aversion to the idea.

A pang hit Fitch's heart as he lifted his son, "Okay, no new mommy. Let's go have dinner, and later you can video call with Rosemary, okay?" Rosemary Sanders, lan and Maja's daughter, was Nolan's favorite because she was adorable and had a sweet, baby-like voice.

Even so, Nolan hardly spoke more than a few words in front of her, just blushing and standing quietly.

"No."

"Why not? Don't you like Rosemary?"

Nolan closed his eyes, saying no more.

Fitch didn't press further, carrying him downstairs to the dinner table.

Nolan was the spitting image of Fitch as a child, their resemblance uncanny.

Together, they were a testament to the power of genetics.

"Nolan, daddy's thinking of sending you to preschool. You could meet lots of kids, just as cute as Rosemary, what do you think?"

Fitch's voice softened when he spoke to his son.

Anyone else listening in would have been shocked; Fitch never spoke so tenderly to anyone else.

At social gatherings over the years, he mostly sat alone, without a female companion.

Those who hinted at joining their families, offering to step in as Nolan's stepmother, were all turned down.

Father and son dined together.

Afterwards, Fitch bathed Nolan, blow-dried his hair, and dressed him in pajamas.

He never delegated these tasks, which deepened Nolan's reliance on him.

"Bark! Bark! Bark!"

The sound of a dog barking came from outside, clearly from the garden.

It was Ozzy, who had also moved to the villa. The new environment excited him, and he had been running around the garden all afternoon.

Now, Ozzy came trotting up the stairs, nudging the door open, and wagged his tail under the bed.

Nolan adored Ozzy because Fitch told him the dog was a gift from his mother.

It was the only connection he had to her.

He hadn't understood what a mother was until he met Aunt Maja. That's when he realized it was something he could never have.

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