Chapter 240: Dominic’s childhood

Butler James didn’t object. After all, he knew he wasn’t probably exaggerating, but he also knew his madam had a habit of coming up with requests he simply couldn’t refuse.

"What is it you wanted to ask me, Madam?" he finally asked.

Clara relaxed slightly.

If someone had told her that she could look terrifying at times like this, especially with that innocent smile on her face, she probably would have pouted and acted cute.

But deep down, she wouldn’t deny it.

In fact, she would probably agree with them while wearing the exact same smile.

Clara cleared her thoughts and turned toward James.

"Butler James, do you think I should get to know my husband better?"

The question left the old butler completely speechless.

How was he supposed to answer that?

They were married. Surely Clara already knew Dominic better than he did.

"How am I supposed to answer that?" he asked awkwardly.

Clara clicked her tongue.

"Right. How would you know that?"

But before James could relax, she continued.

"But I’m sure you know your master very well."

That made Butler James pause.

He suddenly had a very bad feeling about where this conversation was going.

"So tell me, Butler James," Clara asked, leaning forward slightly. "What was Dominic like as a child?"

James blinked.

"As a child?"

"Yes."

She tilted her head curiously.

"Was he always this scary and cold? Or was he actually a normal child like everyone else?"

For a moment, Butler James simply stared at her.

Then he looked away, as though trying to decide how much of his master’s childhood he was actually allowed to reveal.

"Madam..."

"Yes?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

Clara’s eyes immediately lit up.

"Of course!"

James sighed.

He had a feeling that once he started talking, there would be no going back.

"Well..." he began cautiously. "Young Master Dominic wasn’t exactly what you would call an ordinary child."

Clara’s smile widened.

"I knew it!"

"But I never said he was scary."

"You didn’t have to. Your hesitation said everything."

James fell silent.

For the first time, he wondered whether he should have simply brought her another plate of snacks and left.

"Ahem."

Butler James cleared his throat before continuing.

"He was a quiet child. He preferred spending time by himself, either studying or reading books. But most of all, he loved spending time with his mother."

Clara listened carefully, her expression softening.

She already knew about Laila Sterling, Jonathan Sterling’s first wife and Dominic’s mother. Laila had passed away from an incurable illness when Dominic was only four years old.

"His mother was very important to him, wasn’t she?" Clara asked softly.

James nodded.

"Very much so. Young Master Dominic was especially attached to her. Wherever Madam Laila went, he wanted to be around her."

A faint sadness crossed Clara’s eyes. "Then losing her at such a young age must have been difficult for him."

"It was," James replied quietly. "He was too young to understand death properly, but he understood that his mother wasn’t coming back."

Clara lowered her gaze.

Perhaps that explained something about the man Dominic had become.

James sighed before adding, "After that, he changed. He became quieter and stopped expressing himself as openly as before."

Clara remained silent, absorbing every word.

For the first time, she wondered how much of the cold and distant Dominic she knew today had been shaped by the little boy who had lost his mother far too soon.

After all, Clara understood that pain better than anyone.

She, too, had struggled to accept her mother’s death. Her mother had been the only family she had, and watching her suddenly fall ill had left Clara terrified and helpless.

Perhaps that was why she understood how deeply Dominic’s loss must have affected him.

"But then Lady Grace came into their lives," Butler James continued. "She loved Young Master Dominic as if he were her own son."

Clara looked at him attentively.

"She made sure he never felt like he had lost his mother completely. She gave him all the love and attention she could."

James smiled faintly at the memory.

"In fact, that’s why Lady Grace and Master Jonathan decided not to have another child. They were afraid Young Master Dominic might feel neglected if they had a baby of their own."

Clara’s brows lifted slightly.

"But they changed their minds?"

"Not exactly," James replied with a small chuckle. "It was Young Master Dominic who changed theirs."

"What do you mean?"

"One day, out of nowhere, he announced that he wanted a sibling."

Clara blinked.

"Dominic?"

"Yes, Madam."

James laughed softly.

"He apparently told them he was tired of having no one his age to play with."

Clara couldn’t help but smile.

"That’s... unexpectedly adorable."

"It certainly surprised everyone," James agreed. "After that, Master and Lady Grace began seriously considering the idea."

And perhaps that was how their family became even more chaotic.

With an extremely quiet son and a rather mischievous daughter, Jonathan and Grace couldn’t help but become fiercely protective of both their children.

Clara knew Grace was not Dominic’s biological mother, but the way she had protected him until her final breath showed just how deeply she had loved him.

Guilt suddenly washed over Clara. She had played a part in the downfall of the Sterling family, and knowing that made her heart ache.

"I can sense a serious discussion going on here."

Dominic’s voice suddenly broke the silence. The moment Clara looked up, he stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened when he saw the tears on her cheeks.

[What the hell? Why is my wife crying?]

Concern immediately replaced the confusion in his eyes, but the moment he shot Julter James a sharp look, the man froze.

Master, please don’t look at me like that. I was only talking about your childhood. Who would’ve thought Madam would get so emotional?

Julter smiled awkwardly, trying his best to avoid Dominic’s intimidating gaze.

"I swear, Master, I didn’t mean to make Madam cry," he quickly added, but it was too late as Clara had already hugged him, leaving Bulter James in tight spot.

"..."