After spending a few moments in Beirut's arms, Bebe finally could no longer contain himself.
He raised his head, his little eyes fixed on Beirut, his lips moving slightly. The words reached his lips, but he hesitated for a moment. In the end, he asked, "Grandpa Beirut... I want to know, what happened to my parents?"
His gaze brimmed with hope, sparkling like dewdrops touched by the morning sun.
The air in the study seemed to still.
Beirut's hand stopped on Bebe's back.
Silence.
The silence was brief, yet Bebe's heart sank little by little. He had known long ago, really. He had guessed long ago. If his parents were still alive, why would they have left him alone in that dilapidated courtyard at the Baruch Clan's old manor? If his parents were still alive, why had there been not the slightest word of them all these years?
Yet after seeing this legendary Grandpa Beirut, he had still clung to a sliver of hope.
What if?
What if my parents were just trapped somewhere?
What if they were looking for me too?
What if...
"They... are dead."
Beirut's voice sank. His palm settled over Bebe's back again, its warmth passing through his sleek fur.
"Don't be sad."
Bebe's body trembled slightly. He did not cry aloud, but something seemed to block his throat, and his chest felt so tight he could not breathe. He had guessed long ago, but the moment he truly heard it confirmed, it still felt as though something had pierced straight through his heart.
Beirut softened his voice, as though afraid of shattering something. "They loved you more than anything."
Then he began to speak.
Word by word, he slowly unveiled this history. These were the scenes he had personally seen while searching Tilon's and Rudi's