Chapter 555 - Doll's past

"You are just making sure that she doesn't have a choice to leave you by the time you tell her."

Arlo knew what he meant, "She has because I never let our relationship to reach that stage as she doesn't know my identity."

The old master's expression changed slightly. Arlo continued for him. "Sky knows I have been hiding a few things and I won't cross my line until she gets to know."

Old master paused and looked at Arlo who didn't show any changes on his face and replied calmly throughout the time without a flinch.

There was no doubt for the old master Barton to know that what Sky said was the truth that 'Arlo loves her a lot.'

He internally sighed before saying sternly. "You will be preparing lunch for us tomorrow. You can leave now."

When Sky mentioned cooking skills, he expected he would have to cook. Arlo didn't leave. "Grandfather! May I ask you something?"

The old master nodded for his request. Arlo asked, "If I'm not wrong, you knew who was Sky from the time she moved here. Why is she so special to you? Is it because you didn't have a daughter or granddaughter?"

He had seen all of Sky's childhood pictures and had a doubt that Old Master Barton didn't like Sky when she was a kid but Arlo didn't frame it that way.

Old master looked at him for a few seconds before answering, "Doll loves every one of us selflessly. But I wasn't and I'm not like her. We have to pay a hefty price to love someone selflessly. I allowed George to foster her but I was not particularly fond of Doll. Until one day..."

Arlo noticed moist in Old master's eyes as he continued. "Loran probably would have died if Doll didn't save him."

Old master recollected past events as he briefed, "I was on the first floor in a resort and my useless grandsons were playing with Doll near the pool. Doll was just eight years old then.

When Loran slipped and fell into the pool while running around. Jai ran out to call for help whereas I was panicking and running towards downstairs. But Doll jumped into the water holding a tube remembering what Jai taught her and pushed Loran up. She had managed to save him but she had used all her energy by that time. Her hands slipped from the tube before she could climb up. When I entered the ground floor, I saw her smile looking at Loran despite knowing she was drowning. By the time I saved her, she was drowned and unconscious. Doctors almost gave up but thankfully she was back in her life..."

"Is Sky Aquaphobic from that time?" Arlo wasn't surprised by the story as that's what she would do all the time.

He had understood that a long back hence he had added security for the Barton family so that she doesn't have to worry about anybody later. He never cared about anybody except Olivia and Ryan. But after marrying Sky he considered her family as his own.

Old master hummed. "She doesn't have any recollection of that day. Doctors said her mind is subconsciously avoiding it so we never told her. Those days she was even scared to enter her bathtub. Jai was at the age to understand what was the difference between him and Doll to save Loran. So he took care of Doll better than he used to. He made her understand and helped her for a long time until she could analyze herself. So she is quite fine now."

He shook his head resignedly before saying, "My only regret in life is not treating Doll better until that time."

Arlo passed a glass of water to Old master. The latter drank before saying, "Don't even think that I have accepted you just because I told you about Doll's past."

Arlo smiled faintly, even if he becomes excellent in everything, he knew Old master Barton would still call him 'Doll's useless husband'.

He nodded as a response, "Grandfather! If nothing else, you should go to bed. I will see you tomorrow."

The old master refused Arlo's help and used his cane to go near the bed. "You can leave now."

Arlo left and went to the room. Even though Old master said he didn't accept him, Arlo was sure he trusted him and he was also testing him to know whether he tells anything to Sky or not about the incident.

Arlo wasn't a fool to tell her about it.

Sky was sleeping when he went to bed. He gently flipped her and was pulling her into his arms, Sky's groggy voice sounded as she rubbed her eyes, "Arlo!"

He stopped her hand from rubbing, "Sleep! We will talk tomorrow." Sky hummed hearing his pleasant voice and snuggled into a comfortable position after receiving a forehead kiss before falling into a deep slumber.

He too fell asleep soon holding Sky in his arms.

--

Sky woke up first and teased Arlo until he woke up.

"Good morning" Arlo held her hand on her back which was tickling on his face. He effortlessly pulled her on top of him. "Sleep!"

"Arlo!" Sky couldn't move on him, "Let's go out!" Hearing no response, Sky continued, "Tired? But Grampy said he won't eat you."

Arlo's brows twitched. He flipped her down and looked at her, "Who taught you all these?"

Sky continued to giggle under him, "Companion error: You."

How can he back down when getting teased by his wife? He asked, "Oh! Why didn't you learn other things?"

"Other?" Sky asked confusedly.

"This!" Arlo nibbled on her neck. It might be due to the sensitivity of waking up, it sent shivers to Sky. She pushed him aside and ran inside the bathroom hearing him chuckle.

After they changed, they went out for a jog before breakfast with the complete family.

Then Old master took Arlo with him leaving Sky with the rest of the family. Arlo had to choose and bring every vegetable himself from the farm under Old master's orders.

Sky wasn't allowed to go with them. Arlo did everything from plucking vegetables and greens, washing them and cooking.

Old master particularly gave Arlo a hard time. He almost made him pluck lots of root vegetables and asked him to wash by continuing to ask weird questions.