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Parent Talk

Under Sophia's advice, Aurora remained mostly confined to her room and connected to the machines and IV for the rest of the week. Adam spent most of his days with her, learning how to speak and move like a 'young master'. Logan also stopped by to check on Aurora's health. A few times he saw Adam practising, and he stopped to correct him.

Unlike Aurora, Logan scrutinised Adam's actions and corrected even the tiniest mistakes. Seeing Adam discouraged after Logan left, Aurora would assure him that he didn't need to be perfect and that it was okay to make mistakes. She stated that while he didn't need to perfect everything, there were a few key mistakes he should try hard to avoid, as those could hurt Logan.

Friday morning, Adam awoke early. Too early. It was still dark out with no sign of dawn breaking. Rolling onto his side, Adam tried to go back to sleep, but the light from the hall shining under his door kept him awake.

Getting out of bed, he made his way downstairs. All the lights weren't on, just the ones leading to his mother's care room. Hushed voices came from the open door. Adam crept up to the doorway and listened.

"He's not ready."

"Yes, he is."

"I've been working my way up to this dinner for the last five years, Aurora. I won't have it ruined!"

"You'll ruin your chance if we show up without him."

"Selene's seen him; she'd have asked around; that alone justifies his existence."

"Then why didn't we bring him to the dinner? People are more interested now. How will you explain his absence?"

"Why didn't you pick a better child?"

"Adam's sharp and resourceful; he can read a room or situation well. You said so yourself!"

"I know..."

"What's actually bothering you?"

"If Sophia doesn't clear you to go, I can't cover for him like you would. You have a way of salvaging situations when I can't keep a clear head. Like with Selene..."

The two stopped talking; a moment later, there was a shuffling of cloth and the bed creaked. After a minute of silence, Adam peered into the room. Logan had climbed into the bed with Aurora, and as he lay with his head on her chest, she gently patted his head.

Adam took a step back and walked into Sophia, who was standing right behind him. She motioned to the door, and the two entered the room.

"Good Morning," Sophia announced loudly once they'd entered.

Logan lifted his head at the sound of Sophia's voice, acknowledged the two, and then laid his head down again.

"You're squishing my patient."

"His weight is on his side. Adam, come closer, let's talk."

Adam stepped closer to the bed, close enough to make eye contact with Aurora while leaving room for Sophia to work.

"How did you sleep?"

"Good."

"That's good. Were you eavesdropping?"

"I'm sorry." Adam apologised.

"Well, as you heard, your father is worried. Of everything you learned, what are you least confident about?"

"...Conversing."

"What is it about conversing that you're not confident about?"

"I don't know what rich kids do for fun. How am I going to converse when I can't fit in?"

"That's fine. As our son, I'd never have sent you to a school for the elite. Just be you. You don't have to fit in; try to have fun."

"Anything else you're not confident about?"

"No."

"You heard him. He's not confident conversing. Go on, practise with him." Aurora said, looking down at Logan.

"Why wouldn't you have sent him to an elite school?"

"Despite the advantages of a smaller, more advanced, and enriched learning environment, children in elite schools are exposed to drugs, sex, and alcohol easier. They have warped personalities and no regard for rules."

"Are you speaking from personal experience?"

"Yes."

"Seriously?"

"How else can I mingle with your little club of associates? Go, converse with your son."

"He's not my son," Logan said, getting up. "Adam, come."

"Stay right here! Adam is our son. Treat him like it!"