Chereads / REVIVE: AMERICA 1995 / Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: I Have a Disease

Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: I Have a Disease

While the core members of the Blackburn family were still discussing the potential consequences, Milo, having already bid farewell to his encouraging uncle, was walking back towards the house.He had a very good impression of his uncle. This uncle was someone who loved his family and was willing to take care of them. When he and his brother Paladin were young, whenever they visited Texas, their uncles would always make sure they had a wonderful time.As a reborn individual, Milo was well aware of his uncle's future greatness.Without any major incidents, this uncle, considered a bit of a fool by the inner circle, would ascend to the highest office in five years, ushering in the Bush dynasty in America...My uncle will be the President of the United States! What's there to be afraid of then?Thinking about this, he felt much less pressure about pouring a drink on Craig Bayard, the rising star of the Bayard family, the political rival of the Blackburns.After returning home, he inquired with the servants.The servants told him that his mother, Robin, was with his sister-in-law, Hayley.Hearing this, Milo walked towards Paladin's room.In the room, his mother, Robin, and his sister-in-law, Hayley, were sorting through Paladin's belongings.Seeing her brother-in-law enter, Hayley's sorrowful eyes showed a complex emotion. She spoke softly, "Thank you, Milo. Thank you for protecting me..."Milo immediately relaxed, "I... I don't want Paladin to be unhappy. Hayley, I hope you understand...""I understand," Hayley smiled. "I love Paladin, and now I'm Hayley Blackburn.""Oh, Hayley."Robin, her eyes still red, heard her daughter-in-law's statement and hugged her. "You're a good child. It's Paladin's fault, he should have left you with us..."As she spoke, the old woman started to cry again, and tears welled up in Hayley's eyes.Milo quickly comforted both his sister-in-law and his mother, easing the tense atmosphere.After a dozen minutes, his sister-in-law and mother had calmed down.Milo left his brother's room. As he walked down the corridor, he saw his father and grandfather looking at him. The advisors and other family members seemed to have left.Milo walked over to his grandfather and father. "Hayley said she's Hayley Blackburn now."Joseph immediately showed a relieved expression.But old John smiled and said, "Good boy. Let's have a chat, shall we?"Milo hesitated for a moment, then followed his grandfather.Massachusetts has a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons, short summers, and long winters.It was June, and it had rained yesterday. Today was a bit chilly.At four in the afternoon, the temperature was only around 16 degrees Celsius.The Blackburn estate was located on a high hill overlooking the Atlantic coast in Plymouth. The garden overlooked the Atlantic coast, dotted with sea erosion and glacial moraine.The garden was simple, just a beautiful lawn.The grandfather and grandson walked along the path, the sea breeze a bit cold.Milo stepped forward and helped his grandfather adjust the coat that Kim Arris had put on him, preventing him from catching a chill."Did you do that on purpose?" Milo hesitated before nodding slightly. "Yes, but I really don't like Craig being around Hayley. Paladin hated him, and so do I.""You did the right thing," John said with a touch of arrogance. "The Blackburns are not to be trifled with! Our ancestors were pirates. We've always been the ones doing the bullying, not the ones being bullied!"Well, the ancestors were pirates, which wasn't exactly something to brag about.Just like the upper class in America today, almost 99% of their ancestors had owned slaves, enslaved black people.But look, who dares to bring that up now?At most, the media might mention it briefly, but it would soon die down."But now..."The old man changed his tone, his voice softening. "But Paladin is gone. Do you know what that means?"Milo didn't answer, just following his grandfather.John sighed, "It means that in a few years, when I meet my Maker, and then after some more years, when Joseph also meets his Maker, the Blackburns will depend on you, my dear Milo. Do you know what that means?"The old man had made his point quite clearly.Milo had to speak, "Grandfather, I don't know if you've seen the diagnosis from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center?""Ah?"This time it was the old man's turn to be puzzled. John didn't know about this.After all, before this, Paladin had been the apple of his eye and the focus of the family.As for Milo, as long as he didn't cause any major trouble, didn't die in some accident,Only his brother Paladin and his mother, Robin, would truly care about him."Cedars-Sinai Medical Center diagnosed me with sex addiction..." Milo said softly."Ah? Sex addiction? What is that?"The old man frowned, confused. "Is that a disease?""Yes, it's classified as a disease in the DSM-III-R of 1987. So, it's indeed a disease."Milo explained gently, "I have this problem, which means I'm not suitable to follow Paladin's path. From both a cost and benefit perspective, I'm not the right fit."John Blackburn had expected Milo to reject the family's arrangements.The old man had considered many reasons for Milo's refusal.But he hadn't expected this reason."And Hayley is Paladin's wife,"Milo continued to persuade, "She's now the Chief Judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and she's a Harrison. She can reach even higher positions. We should focus our resources on her.""But she's not a true Blackburn," the old man objected."As long as she carries the Blackburn name, she can represent us to some extent. At least that's how the outside world will see it.""And my father is still young. He's not even sixty yet, and he's not even a senator.""After Paladin's death, I think our resources should be focused on my father.""And also, about that incident six years ago... it's also a stain on my reputation."The old man frowned and chose to avoid that topic.He was somewhat relieved to see Milo."Although I'm still a little disappointed, but child, after Paladin's death, you've started to care about family matters. That makes me very happy."John said, "The question is, if you don't want to enter politics, what do you want to do in the future? Don't tell me you still want to stay in Los Angeles, just because it's easier to deal with your... your sex addiction?"This was indeed a question.Three days ago, before his rebirth, Milo wouldn't have known how to answer this question.But now, after three days of constant reflection, Milo could confidently answer his grandfather's question.Robin Bush had passed away in this parallel world, so she was still alive and married.