Repairing A Broken Home With My Patriarch System

Ethan blinked in surprise. This was the first time he was seeing Nora like this.

’That’s right. I’ve never seen her get angry.’

She glared at him, letting her emotions spill through her eyes.

”Why did you make Mommy suffer like that? Why did you make her go through all that?! You’re just a jerk!”

Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but fell silent. He could understand her anger, but he didn’t know how to comfort her.

’A child as young as her had to watch her father abuse her mother. Ah... I must have been a fool for thinking being nice would be enough.’

Sighing, he asked, ”Nora. Do you hate me?”

Gritting her teeth, she stomped her feet and punched his forehead. A few people glanced their way, but only saw a little girl throwing a tantrum. They didn’t care and ignored the two.

”I do!”

Ethan winced slightly, not really hurt by the blow. Her words hurt much more.

”You’re a strong one.” He smiled bitterly. ”Then why have you been lying?”

Nora’s expression froze.

”You said you hate me. So everything has always been a lie. Why bother lying when you could have just told me how you felt?”

He shook his head and stood up. ”Let’s go home. Your mom should be done cooking by now.”

Nora didn’t move. She stared at his back, gritted her teeth, and said, ”You still haven’t answered me yet!”

Ethan stopped and turned back to her. ”It was all because your father was broken.”

”Broken...?” Nora stared at him in disbelief.

He shook his head and held out his hand. ”Enough of this. Let’s go home.”

She stared at his hand, snorted, then walked past him. Ethan sighed and followed her. They returned to the house in a solemn mood.

The moment they got close to the house, though, Nora’s smile reappeared again.

’A child who already knows how to fake a smile.’

Ethan couldn’t help but shake his head in pity. The girl really needed to be fixed. Though, he still didn’t know how.

From what he had seen, reassuring words wouldn’t be enough for her. Even his actions over the past few weeks hadn’t been enough.

If he was right, what she needed was time.

’Time to adjust and accept the truth. Besides, unlike Evelyn, who loves me, she doesn’t. It’ll probably be harder than making James accept me.’

He opened the door and stepped inside after Nora. The little girl ran to her mother, smiling.

”Right on time! I just finished dishing the meal.”

Evelyn smiled back at her and turned to Ethan. He managed to force a smile, though he wasn’t as proficient as his daughter.

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything about it.

’I’ll ask him privately later.’

Ethan sat beside her, and after a short prayer, they began to eat.

Not liking the uneasy silence, Evelyn turned to him and asked, ”How was the apartment and the shop? Are they almost done?”

Ethan paused and nodded. ”Yes. The house only needs some decorations, and the shop should be completed by tomorrow.”

Unable to hide her joy, Evelyn smiled happily. ”When are we moving in?”

Ethan raised two fingers. ”In two days.”

She blinked in surprise. ”Isn’t that... too fast? We’ll need to pack some things and I haven’t started preparing.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. ”What do you want to pack?”

”Um... the couches? Bed? Won’t we need them all?” She asked, sounding unsure.

Ethan chuckled and gently pinched her cheek. ”No, we won’t be needing all that. I made preparations for them already. The only things you might consider bringing along are your clothes. Though, we’re still going to get new clothes anyway...”

Evelyn pursed her lips and muttered. ”Somehow, I feel bad. I’m not doing anything at all...”

She was the kind of woman who found joy in supporting her partner in doing anything. Now, however, almost everything was being done by Ethan.

It made her feel... useless.

Ethan frowned and shook his head. ”Not doing anything right now doesn’t make you irrelevant. You already played your part.”

”I did?” She glanced at him, confused. When had she contributed?

Ethan smiled faintly and explained. ”Your part was the hardest. Enduring till it was all over. That’s the best thing you could have done.”

”Ah, that...” She shook her head. ”I was just being stubborn. It’s not—”

Ethan placed his hands on hers and said, ”That’s your perspective. From my perspective, you already did your best. Leave the rest to me. If I need your help, I’ll let you know.”

Evelyn sighed but didn’t argue. Still, his words made her feel a little proud of herself.

’Yes, I endured. And now, I’m being pampered.’

Remembering something, Ethan tapped his forehead.

”Ah, I forgot to tell you. I got you an assistant for your business.”

”Eh?!” Evelyn gasped in surprise, then lowered her voice. ”An assistant? Why would you do that? You’re the best assistant.”

Ethan smiled and patted her hand. ”Of course, I am. But just like today, I won’t be available all the time. Besides, you definitely need some days off too. You can’t be going to the shop every day.”

Evelyn sighed and agreed after considering it. ”So when will I meet this assistant?”

”When we move, you’ll get to know her. She’s quite likeable and I’m sure you two would get along well,” He answered with a smile.

Evelyn nodded and refocused on her food. Soon, everyone was done eating and Ethan stood up to pack the plates to the kitchen.

Evelyn turned to Nora and said, ”Do you want to go to bed now?”

The little girl, feeling internally conflicted and sleepy, nodded.

Her mother smiled and led her to the bedroom, tucking her under the covers.

”Goodnight, Mommy,” She said, already closing her eyes.

Evelyn brushed her cheek with a thumb and replied, ”Goodnight, sweetie.”

She stood up and went back into the living room where Ethan was busy using his phone.

She sat down beside him, her usual smile gone. Ethan noticed and turned to her. ”Is something wrong?”

She nodded slowly. ”It’s about Nora.”