Everyone was astonished to see the super large box carried by several men behind Herbert’s wheelchair. After getting directions, they simultaneously lowered the heavy box in the corner of the room.
“What do you bring here, Dad? That looks really heavy,” Max sighed. He forgot to say hello because of being too amazed.
“That’s something I should have returned a long time ago,” the old man said with a meaningful curve of his lips.
Receiving such a hint, the woman’s eyes suddenly widened. “Is that my piano?”
A second later, Herbert shrugged. “Open it! You’ll know.”
With a pounding heart, Gabriella drew closer to the prize. When the blue package was finished being removed, a gasp of disbelief automatically sounded.
“This is indeed my piano,” she sighed with tears in her eyes.
After smiling at Max, the woman turned to her father-in-law. “Thank you very much, Dad.”
“No need to thank me, Gaby. It’s yours. Instead, I should be the one apologizing for being presumptuous of taking it from you.” After a moment of excitement, Herbert suddenly spread his arms. “May I hug my daughter-in-law?”
After a nod, Gabriella welcomed the old man’s embrace.
“Happy birthday, Gaby,” Herbert said with a heavy sigh. Regret still dominated the air in his lungs.
“Thank you, Dad,” the woman whispered with an open heart. There was no longer a burden that crushed her heart. All the pressure had been lifted from the chest.
As soon as the daughter-in-law let go of the hug, Herbert’s eyes turned to his youngest son. Folding the lips, he reached into his pocket.
“I think it’s not only Gaby who should get hers back, but you too,” the old man said as he handed Max a necklace.
Seeing the thing his mother gave him, Max’s eyes instantly widened. With a sigh of disbelief, he accepted what he had given up. “I never thought I’d be able to hold this necklace again,” he muttered in a thin voice.
After checking the still intact photo inside, the man looked at his father with sparkling eyes. “Thank you, Dad.”
“Sorry for taking it from you,” Herbert said with deeper furrowed brows.
After getting a nod from Max, the old eyes shifted to the slightly downcast man. After taking a deep breath, Herbert’s feet dropped to the floor. Then, gritting his teeth, he mustered up the strength to get out of the wheelchair.
“Dad,” Max sighed, trying to help his father.
However, the old man raised his hand, declaring that he could be independent.
Realizing his father was walking towards him, Julian’s hands clenched tighter. The fear that welled up in his eyes, nearly fell from his eyelids.
“I have kept your mother’s last wish for too long. Now, it’s time for me to hand over this item to you,” Herbert said after he stopped walking.
Accompanied by a frown, Julian returned his father’s gaze. After swallowing hard, the man took a necklace from the palm that he had not dared to hold for a long time.
“Open it,” Herbert pleaded in a trembling voice.
With a quick blink, Julian complied. His breath had been held, preparing to welcome the curse. However, as soon as he saw Herbert’s photo inside, surprise wafted from his mouth. “This …?”
“I didn’t throw away the photo of your biological father, just covered it with my photo,” the old man explained, successfully publishing emotion.
Tears were then running down the son’s cheeks. “Sorry. I should have done this a long time ago, so you shouldn’t have to be afraid and make up lies that were a big burden to you.”
Unexpectedly, Julian dropped both of his knees on the floor. While keeping the necklace in grip, the man broke the regret.
“I’m really a coward. Just out of fear, I had the heart to steal Max’s position, take your love away from him. I really don’t know myself,” he wailed between sobs. “I don’t deserve to be your son. Forgive me, Mister Evans.”
Regardless of how many ears were listening, Julian hit his head repeatedly. “I’m really sorry. Really regret ….”
Despite feeling pity, Herbert tried to hold back tears. With quivering lips, he blocked Julian’s foolish actions. “It’s not entirely your fault. You’re too young to face all that. So, stop hurting yourself.”
“But I’ve caused Max a life of misery. I’ve made your son tormented,” Julian confessed in a hoarse voice.
“Yes, and Max has forgiven you,” Herbert said, examining the look on the real son’s face.
Seeing Max nodding with sad eyes, the old man continued to speak. “Now, stand up. Don’t think of me as someone else. I’m still your father. About yesterday’s mistakes … we will use them as lessons so they don’t repeat themselves.”
Julian shook his head spontaneously. “My sin is too big for Max and you. There’s no way my apology could be accepted this easily. What should I do to make amends?”
Understanding the regret, Herbert clenched his jaw. “Are you willing to hand the Quebracha into Max’s hands? Maybe, that’s all you can do to pay for your wrongdoing to him,” the old man asked in a cold tone.
In just an instant, Julian nodded quickly. “Yes, I’m ready. That’s his right.”
“No, Dad,” Max exclaimed unexpectedly. “I don’t want to hold Quebracha anymore. I already have other plans with Gaby.”
With a furrowed brow, Herbert sighed, “Why? I have prepared it for you since long ago.”
Keeping his lips curled, Max grabbed his wife’s hand. “I’ve been planning a new life with Gaby. We want to start a completely clean new life.”
“Do you guys hate Quebracha?” Herbert asked with wide eyes. Disappointment was evident on his face.
“No, Dad. It’s just, I already have another dream. Quebracha is not my dream anymore,” Max said before walking towards his brother. After forcing the man to stand up, he patted the drooping shoulder while raising the corners of his lips.
“If you need punishment to continue living, take Quebracha in a better direction. I believe you can do it. If you fail, I won’t hesitate to cancel the apology I gave you.”
With quivering eyes, Julian looked at his little brother. “But I’m not good enough,” he sighed, shaking his head faintly.
“You are not incompetent, but insane. All this time, you were being chased by guilt like crazy. Now that you’ve admitted your guilt, you don’t have to run away anymore. Live life with common sense and courage,” Max said, sounding wise. All listening ears were amazed by his words.
“So, now, Quebracha is completely in your hands,” the younger brother concluded before lowering his hand from Julian’s shoulder.
“Then, how about you?” Herbert asked worriedly.
Smiling, Max returned to his wife’s side. “I’ve been trained to face all odds,” he said, causing Sebastian to snort.
“He’s started again,” his former secretary chimed in, dispelling the tension.
“I’m serious. Just wait. In a few years, I’ll be the CEO of a company worthy of working with Quebracha. When that time comes, Julian should have made Quebracha more developed because I don’t want to sign a contract with a stagnant company.”
Seeing his younger brother’s confidence, Julian finally erased the sadness. “Thanks, Max,” he said in a low voice.
“I should be the one thanking you. You make me strong,” Max said confidently.
Realizing that his little brother had not wavered, Julian began to nod and straighten up. After clearing his mind, the man turned to his secretary.
“I just remembered that I had to return Dad’s phone,” he said in a low voice.
Without waiting for a clearer order, Mia handed a black object into Julian’s hand.
“This is the cell phone that you left, Dad. It had run out of power, but I’ve charged it again,” the man with a downcast face explained.
With a straight face, Herbert looked at the mysterious object in his hand. “I left this phone?” he muttered, tilting his head.
“Yes,” Julian nodded, furrowing his brows. “What’s the matter, Dad?”
Suddenly, Herbert let out a laugh. “I do not remember. To be honest, these days, I often forget a lot of things,” the old man admitted.
“It’s all right, Sir. That’s natural,” Mia said without the slightest bit of hesitation. “Doctor said your illness can indeed cause confusion.”
Once again, Herbert looked at the cell phone in his hand. After a moment of contemplation, he pursed his lower lip and nodded. “From now on, I can’t be confused anymore,” he muttered as he handed the phone to the servant behind the wheelchair.
“Now, how about we continue the party?” the old man asked, brightening his face.
“Right. Birthday cake is waiting,” Minnie said in a light tone.
In just an instant, the joy was back in the air. Everyone was excited to see Gabriella say a wish and blow out the candles, except for Herbert who was secretly uneasy. The black phone had planted a bad feeling in his heart.