"Josh, why did you badmouth Randy so?"
Venus was extremely shocked. After all, this was the first time Josh was angry with Randy.
"I know that you resent Great-grandpa because of Mommy. You've been criticizing him and causing him trouble here and there. Now that he's fainted, are you now happy?" Josh shouted angrily while clenching his fists tight.
"Yes! I'm the one who shocked Great-grandpa until he fainted, " Randy raised his head and glared calmly at Josh as he admitted, "If he dies, I'll pay for his life with mine!"
Upon hearing these words, Josh was momentarily stunned. His eyes widened and he dared not to say a word.
"Randy…" Naya was frightened at his outburst and hurriedly consoled him, "Don't say that. This is purely an accident. No one could blame you for it…"
"Yet, but…" Randy suddenly interrupted Naya, as he continued looking at Josh intently, "Shouldn't you hate him on Mommy's behalf?"
"I… I…" Josh was too taken aback to mount a reply.
"Forget it. You know nothing, Josh." Randy muttered with a bitter smile. However, he could understand Josh's sense of attachment and thoughts. After all, Great-grandpa was really good to all of them. He was also the only one who witnessed the whole scene where Mommy was forced away.
Josh and Venus had no idea of the whole thing.
Moreover, after the incident, Great-grandpa and Daddy unanimously agreed to tell the lie that Mommy passed away unexpectedly due to her illness.
Sadly, they had all believed the concocted lie.
Only Randy knew the truth.
"Randy, what do you mean by that?" Josh anxiously asked, vaguely feeling something was amiss. "Are you hiding any secret from me?"
"Nothing, " Randy replied coldly before sarcastically retorting, "Just continue to be the naive kid that you are!"
With that, he turned and left…
"Randy…" Josh chased after him and pestered, "I don't understand why you have to hide everything from us every time. It is understandable to keep things away from Venus since she's a girl and we need to protect her as brothers. But I'm a boy just like you and I want to share the burden with you. If you never tell me things, yet you said that I know nothing…"
Upon this outburst, Josh felt wronged and started to sob…
Turning to face Josh, Randy felt slightly guilty. After all, the seemingly naive Josh had now grown up…
"I know I'm not as smart as you, nor as capable, " Josh uttered in a choking manner as he wiped away his tears, "But I'm also a member in this family. The search for Mommy is my responsibility too. After all, she's our Mommy, not yours alone…"
"Shush! Shut up!" Randy quickly cupped his hand over Josh's mouth as he warned in a low voice, "This is a secret. No one shall know."
Josh's tear-filled eyes widened as he nodded vigorously.
"Don't ever speak of this anymore, " Randy warned in a serious tone as he removed his hand.
"I'm sorry. I was too caught up just now, " Josh apologized as he bowed his head. "However, Great- grandpa has been good to us. I still hope that he'll get better. In the future, don't be angry with him, okay?"
"Understood…" Randy nodded his head as well. Turning to face Venus who was standing awkwardly at the door looking at them with tears in her eyes, Randy immediately scolded Josh, "Look, you've scared Venus. Now she's the one crying."
"Don't forget Dori!" came in indignant squawk.
Dori was curled up like a little green ball in Venus's arms shivering.
"Venus, Dori, I'm sorry." Josh walked over and gave Venus a hug with his small arms. "I must've scared you!"
"Boohoo…" Venus started sobbing.
Randy hurriedly walked over and hugged them both. "Don't cry. Don't be afraid. With me around, nothing will happen…"
The three siblings were in a group hug. The two brothers tried to console their little sister. There were tears in Josh's eyes, but he held them back with all his effort.
Randy meanwhile had a look of courage and firmness in his eyes. His little shoulders were now shouldering the responsibility to protect his younger siblings – as a true big brother would.
At the corner of the promenade outside, Carla stood there and peeked at the unfolding scene quietly. Her heart was trembling and tears started to stream down inexplicably as she lowered her head…
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