Chapter 324

The Hale Residence. Julian had a day off today, so Madeleine was relaxing with him. "Tch, even came lugging a tagalong," Julian muttered while half-heartedly watering the plants in the courtyard, hose in hand. The second those words left his mouth, Chris flinched and slipped behind Beckett, clutching his father's hand tightly and peeking nervously at Julian. He'd heard that word before—too many times. His uncle had taken care of him once, and people wouldn't stop calling him a burden, saying he was the reason his uncle couldn't settle down or get a decent job. Beckett gently scooped Chris up, heart aching. Julian paused, turned off the water, and tried to explain. "I wasn't talking about him, I meant you—Beckett." See, in Julian's head, it wasn't about the kid—it was about how wherever Beckett went, Madeleine trailed along. Chris clung to Beckett's neck, his eyes welling up in a mix of sadness and defiance. "Daddy's not a burden. He's my superhero!" Beckett rubbed Chris's back, whisper