Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 123

Chapter 123: You Can’t Control Life
<.A city in Norvonna, almost twenty years ago.>

Ruediger was as young as twelve when he followed Felicia and Madeline to Norvonna. Despite being heartbroken over the situation at home, he knew nothing would change Matthew’s mind.

His father loathed his existence. The man wanted to see him no more.

Most likely, his father would be happy if he ended up dead.

On the very first day when Felicia and Madeline welcomed Ruediger to their abode, the former sat him down. She had something to say to him.

“You’re more than a nephew to me, Rudy. I’ll take care of you as how I do to Maddie. You can rely on me.”

That was what Felicia told the anxious Ruediger, her gaze and voice full of maternal warmth as she tried to reassure him. Her blue eyes reflected the same hues as her beloved daughter.

“Thank you, Aunt Felicia… Thank you.”

That was all Ruediger could say to Felicia. He was grateful enough to have her by his side when his entire family shunned him for existing—they misplaced the blame on him.

Felicia was already officially divorced from Martin when she took Ruediger under her wing. Aside from because of Madeline, she had no responsibility toward the Alvord family anymore.

Yet, Felicia opened her own home to provide a safe space for Ruediger.

The hefty compensation sent by her former brother-in-law for taking his eldest son away was never the reason. She genuinely cared for the helpless young boy.

“Rudy, we can play together every day~ Mom won’t be angry at us.”

A much younger Madeline chirped in as she watched Ruediger and Felicia’s interaction. Holding her favorite plush toy, she proudly declared she was skillful in various games.

“Hehe, yes, we can play together every day.”

Ruediger’s tensed face melted as his lips curved into a smile. He smiled at the warm Felicia and the adorable Madeline.

Their warmth helped to convince him that he could count on them.

Thus, Ruediger began living with Felicia and Madeline in another country. He had his own bedroom, decorated as per his taste under his aunt’s insistence.

The townhouse in Havenshire might not be as luxurious as his family residence but, Ruediger found his lost happiness there. He no longer had to be extremely cautious of his behavior, including the simple act of breathing.

Felicia enrolled Ruediger and Madeline in the same private school. The institution had the facilities for the middle and high school graders on the same compound.

Despite being a bright student, Ruediger didn’t slack off in studying. He also played some sports at school, enough to keep him active and his mind off certain things.

At the same time, Ruediger attended therapy under Felicia’s suggestion. He knew how much his aunt meant well.

She hoped he could start anew here, away from the Alvord family’s nonsensical scrutiny.

‘I will be happy here. I will. And… it’s alright for me to be happy.’

Ruediger often reminded himself of the same thing. He refused to surrender to his father’s cruel judgment again.

He might be young but he knew he was not at fault for the misfortune that fell on his family. His father was in massive denial while the others continuously enabled his behavior.

“Your father lost the love of his life. You have to be more understanding, Rudy.”

“Don’t bother your father. You can do it yourself, don’t you?”

“Give him more time. He’s still in shock, I suppose.”

They would rather tell a young child like him to understand his father’s loss and sadness than confront the man for mistreating his own son.

How pathetically ironic.

They had forgotten, despite everything that happened, that he lost someone precious to him too—his irreplaceable mother.

Throughout the years, Ruediger’s contact with the Alvord family, especially with Matthew, was practically non-existent. He didn’t return to his family home even once.

Ruediger spent holidays with the Walters family whenever Felicia brought him and Madeline to her hometown. He put on a tough facade, not wanting to worry his aunt and cousin.

His life was precious. He had to remember that.

Despite befriending his schoolmates, Ruediger put up a distance between them. He was unwilling to be emotionally invested in them.

Because… he was afraid to lose any of them, as how he lost the people important to him back home. Including an adorable little girl who he occasionally thought about.

No matter where she was now, he hoped she would be happy and safe.

Despite having decent progress from all the therapy sessions, there were a few things Ruediger had yet to come to terms with.

On Ruediger’s fifteenth summer, he struck an unlikely friendship with an old man at a river park in the neighboring neighborhood. The latter often went fishing with his cherished boat.

“Why are you always alone here? Got no friends, huh?”

The elderly man, called Uncle David, greeted Ruediger one day. At that time, his teenage self suddenly developed a liking for fishing.

Ruediger often rode his bicycle to the river park, bringing along his fishing gear. He always saw Uncle David from afar because he usually fished from the dock.

“I just like fishing alone,” was what Ruediger replied. The elderly man simply shrugged before talking more about fishing.

Ruediger learned a few beneficial tips from Uncle David until one day…

“Hey, kid! Do you want to try it? Manning a boat?”

Uncle David asked Ruediger if he wanted to learn how to handle a boat[01]. They had only exchanged words a few times but, the teenager quickly took up on the offer.

A thrilled Ruediger was a quick learner. Uncle David let him man the boat as they drifted away from the dock. The two men of different generations began fishing in the middle of the vast river.

“Boy, do you know?” Uncle David spoke, his voice as calm as the breeze, “Fishing teaches you something important about life. You won’t know what you’ll catch. Maybe a fish, or even a shoe but, you throw in your line anyway.”

Ruediger glanced at Uncle David, his brows furrowing, “Isn’t that to be expected? I mean, it’s common sense when fishing.”

Ruediger’s blunt remarks made Uncle David burst out laughing. Shaking his head in helplessness, he shot a look at the teenager.

“You’re so rigid. This old man is trying to be philosophical. Don’t be too stiff.”

Blinking, Ruediger quietly muttered his apology. His action earned a few smacks on the back from Uncle David.

Uncle David threw himself on the boat deck. Crossing his arms behind his head, he said while staring at the vast sky, “You can’t control life as you can’t control the sea or the river. But, that’s not the end of everything.”

The teenage Ruediger didn’t know why Uncle David was suddenly being philosophical. He simply assumed the elderly man wanted to bestow his wisdom from navigating decades of his life to a young person like him.

Since then, Ruediger spent a few days a week fishing with Uncle David. The elderly man also invited him to his home where the teenager eventually learned different sets of skills.

Woodworking, basic home repairs, gardening and even cooking.

Uncle David’s home somehow turned into a workshop for Ruediger. The old man was happy to teach his skills to the young teen.

The first time Ruediger met Nathaniel happened when he had just left Uncle David’s home.

———-

Reference:

1 – Chapter 87