Chapter 600

"They promised me an explanation," Vivian murmured softly.

Isabella scoffed, curling her lip. "Since when can you trust a man's words? He's probably spinning some elaborate lie."

Theo tugged at Vivian's sleeve insistently. "Auntie, Theo and Uncle would never lie to you!"

"Auntie?" Isabella blinked in confusion.

Theo puffed out his little chest proudly. "This is my auntie!"

Vivian decided to hear Ethan out. Even if it was a lie, she wanted to see how he'd weave this tale.

"If we're doing explanations, let's all hear it together. There's a nice café downstairs."

Ethan gave a stiff nod.

The four settled into the café.

"I want that!" Theo pointed excitedly at a coffee illustration on the menu.

Vivian gently stopped him. "Children shouldn't drink coffee. How about juice instead?"

"Then Auntie has to drink juice too." Theo obediently scooted closer to Vivian.

When their drinks arrived, Vivian met Ethan's gaze directly. "Well?"

Ethan's eyes flickered to Theo, pain flashing across his features. "I have an older half-brother who lived abroad. Theo is his son."

He paused. "This was the Roscente family's best-kept secret. My mother... she had a fiery temper. When she found out, she divorced my father immediately."

"My brother was kind to me. Gentle by nature. Then he met Sophia Evans."

"There was never anything between Sophia and me. By family hierarchy, she was my sister-in-law."

"When I rushed overseas years ago, it wasn't to chase Sophia. My brother had a car accident in Eudora. Sophia had just discovered she was pregnant."

Vivian's pupils contracted. This wasn't the truth she'd expected.

"Your brother...?" Her voice trembled.

"Didn't make it." Ethan's tone turned gravelly. "I was in an accident too. Never got to say goodbye."

Those months of leg injuries had made him volatile.

"After my brother's death, Sophia stayed abroad for her pregnancy. Once I recovered, I looked after her. Theo was premature. Fragile. Sophia's health was never strong either."

"Theo is my brother's only legacy. All these years overseas—I was caring for them."

Vivian reeled. Theo was truly Ethan's nephew?

Isabella remained skeptical. "Then why publicly claim Theo as your son?"

"Sophia deliberately let Theo get photographed. The media ran wild with theories—illegitimate child, scandal. The vitriol was unbearable."

"I couldn't let Theo endure that. Claiming him as mine was the only way."