After driving for a few minutes, Clarence said indifferently, “I’ve heard what you said on the balcony.”

Channing said calmly, “Well, it is the first time I know someone who is so proud of his eavesdropping.”

Clarence was also composed, “It’s my home. It was not eavesdropping anyway.”

Channing didn’t reply.

Clarence continued, “I understand what you said. And I know why you would make those choices. But what you fail to realize is that we are born independent. The emotions are endowed by those around us. You may think they are strangers simply because you have never talked to them.”

Channing was silent.

Clarence added, “For example, your nephew was a stranger to you before you met him. You try to make friends with him just because in your mind, he is your family.”

“That’s different.”

“There is no difference. You feel he is a stranger to you simply because in the past two decades William failed to shoulder his responsibility as a father,” Clarence continued, “Likewise, in your mind, it is because Stella doesn’t want to see her child that I don’t let her meet her child, isn’t it?”

Channing frowned and his hand gradually clenched into fists on his knees.

Clarence said, “I’m not giving you a lesson. What happened has happened. You may well try to accept the situation rather than resist it. It won’t cost you anything. But you can have what you failed to have in the past.”

Channing said, “I don’t need those.”

“Do you know what I said when Stella was pregnant?” Clarence said calmly, “I said I thought the kid was a burden and I didn’t want him. But when I actually sensed his existence, a different feeling welled up in my mind.”

“In your life, you only have Jeffrey as your father, who brought you all your agony and sad memories. You are afraid that you would become someone like him in future, right? But why aren’t you afraid you would become a father like him?”

“I won’t.”

Clarence laughed. Channing had no idea what he was laughing at.

Clarence said, “I used to think I wouldn't either.”

Channing was made speechless by his words.

Clarence tapped the wheel with his finger gently and said, “I said those to you only because Stella is upset by what happened. I just want you to understand that you need to know what you want. If you still prefer leading a lonely life, you can well forget what I said. I think you may end up finding what you need is a real family.”

After a while, Channing took a look at the road in front of him and said, “We are not on the way to my place.”

Clarence said, “I am heading to Winnie’s place.copy right hot novel pub