Chapter 454: Chapter 454: Moral Kidnapping
"Uncle Henry is almost entirely better now, why didn’t you stay at home? Did your little uncle bring you here?"
Henry Hudson lightly tousled Grace Thompson’s hair, asking gently.
"No, our big uncle brought us."
Hank Thompson waved a small apple from the table next to Henry Hudson, shaking his head hastily.
"Henry Thompson?"
Henry Hudson frowned slightly. Plenty of thoughts flashed across his mind, but he quickly dismissed them, his face regaining a smiling expression as he looked at the children before him.
"Uncle, does it still hurt?"
Olivia Thompson leaned her little head in, her big eyes welling up with worry as she stared at Henry Hudson, her voice lisping toddler-like.
Henry’s heart warmed, he grinned, stroking Olivia’s small cheek and spoke gently.
"Uncle is fine now, it doesn’t hurt anymore. Olivia is so mature."
A warmth flashed across Henry Hudson’s lips, causing Olivia to widen her eyes, a glimmer of happiness appearing in them.
"So, will you be Olivia’s, and our siblings’ father in the future?"
Olivia recalled the lively discussion at home today about Henry Hudson being a father and couldn’t help but blurt it out.
Hearing Olivia’s words, the smile disappeared from Henry Hudson’s face.
It was then replaced by a knowing look as he turned his gaze to the children in front of him, bearing similar expressions.
"Why would Olivia like Uncle Henry to be her father?"
Henry asked softly, and Olivia tilted her head, failing to come up with an answer.
Henry Hudson laughed and answered gently.
"So, you guys came to see uncle in hopes that he could be your dad?"
The children all looked a bit startled, as if their deepest secrets had been unveiled.
Henry Hudson pondered and began to speak seriously.
"Is it because your mom was saved by uncle?"
The children were all silent, they bowed their heads in silence, prompting a small grin on Henry Hudson’s face.
Henry continued.
"Actually, uncle likes your mom too."
Hearing this, the children raised their heads abruptly. The gaze they directed at Henry Hudson was surging with layers of ripples.
They yearned for a father’s love, hoping that Henry Hudson could be their father and protect their mother.
Seeing the children’s hopeful expressions, Henry Hudson continued, "But liking someone isn’t like most other things."
"It’s not enough for only one person to like the other, both parties need to feel the same way. Uncle doesn’t want your mom to be with him just because she feels obliged after he saved her. That’s not good. It’s called moral abduction, and it would make your mom unhappy."
"Then uncle, what is moral abduction?" Olivia blinked, her voice innocent as she softly asked.
"Moral abduction is when others force you to do something you don’t want to do. Uncle hopes your mom would be with him because she likes him just like how Olivia likes candy. It’s not because the candy is so delicious, but because Olivia loves it, the candy seems delicious. Liking someone is the same. Understand?"
Henry Hudson’s eyes softened, his expression warm and comforting.
A silence fell among the children, seeming to be deep in contemplation about what Henry had just said. They were still young and unexperienced. In pondering, Henry thought that maybe he could discuss this matter with Charlotte, he just didn’t know how Charlotte felt about him.