Franklin looked down at Sylvia in his arms. The enchanting woman instantly ignited a fire in his eyes.
He felt his blood boil, almost unable to resist. He leaned down for a kiss, and she met him with her lips.
The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom, and it was unclear how much time had passed before it finally stopped. Sylvia opened her hazy eyes, filled with confusion and desire. “You’re so bad.”
He had bullied her again. They had planned to take a bath, but it ended up being his celebration.
Before Franklin could reach the bed with her in his arms, she had already fallen into a deep sleep. His affectionate gaze swept over her. How could she fall asleep after just two times?
It seemed that not spending every day together recently had affected her stamina. He gently placed Sylvia on the bed and lay down beside her. As soon as he did, she instinctively snuggled into his embrace, even in her sleep, finding the perfect spot to nestle against him.
Franklin felt a burst of joy in his heart, like fireworks exploding. He couldn’t help but plant another gentle kiss on her lips before turning off the light and closing his eyes.
In the morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains into the spacious bedroom. Sylvia was awakened by the sunlight.
She slowly opened her eyes and heard the melodious sound of a piano nearby. She was surprised to see a white piano in one corner of the room, with a man sitting at it, his hands dancing over the keys, playing beautiful music.
Sylvia was stunned to see Franklin’s familiar, upright back. Could Franklin play the piano?
She slowly got up and walked towards him. Their eyes met, and Franklin smiled at her, though there was a hint of sadness in his smile. “You’re awake? Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful.” She recognized that Franklin was playing “Fur Elise,” a classic piece.
“My mother taught me to play the piano. She was very good at it.” Franklin’s handsome face carried a smile, but there was a shadow in his eyes, making his smile seem forced. “Go freshen up and have breakfast.”
Sylvia wrapped her arms around Franklin’s neck, wanting to comfort him. She knew he must be thinking of his ill-fated mother.
Although Franklin hadn’t said anything, she wanted to do this. “It’s okay. We can visit your mother when we have time… Didn’t you say she was…”
Franklin held her hands and gazed at her for a while before saying, “Sylvia, today is my mother’s death anniversary. Will you come with me?”
Sylvia reached out and hugged him. “Yes.”
It was a simple word, but it conveyed all her love and concern for Franklin, leaving no room for doubt.
She picked out a black coat from the wardrobe, paired it with black jeans, and chose black shoes as well.
Franklin wore a black trench coat, and after breakfast, they headed straight to the cemetery.
The location was remote but very quiet.
The cemetery was on a secluded mountain with rugged paths that were difficult to navigate; cars couldn’t enter.
Sylvia stayed close to Franklin as they made their way to the graveyard, surrounded by lush trees and dense shrubs.
“My mother died of depression. I watched her wither like a flower before my eyes. When she passed away, I was the only one by her side. My father was probably with some other woman or somewhere else. He was very unfaithful and didn’t treat my mother well despite marrying her.”
“At that time, he wasn’t yet the president but already held significant power and wealth, attracting many women.”
Sylvia looked at the man beside her with heartache and took his cold hand in hers, offering silent support. “If it’s too painful, you don’t have to talk about it.”
Franklin felt warmth in his heart. They were husband and wife, which was why he wanted her to accompany him today. He wanted his mother to see that he now had a beautiful and loving wife.
Although they couldn’t be together every day, he believed they would be in the future.
Franklin held onto her to prevent her from falling as they continued walking.
His eyes were filled with tenderness.
It seemed that all his sorrow and fatigue vanished instantly, leaving only love for her and memories of his mother. “How are you? Do you need to rest?”
Sylvia shook her head and said lightly, “It’s just climbing a mountain; I can handle it.”
His mother, as the president’s wife, had been buried in such a remote cemetery. She must have suffered greatly in life and didn’t receive the respect she deserved after death.
At that time, Franklin had been expelled from home by the president and couldn’t provide a proper resting place for his mother.
So… he must be very sad inside?
Thinking about this made Sylvia’s heart ache inexplicably.
They finally reached the grave. They cleaned up the area, and Franklin placed a bouquet of fresh flowers on his mother’s grave, feeling deeply pained.
Sylvia looked at the photo of the young woman on the tombstone-a gentle and beautiful woman with captivating almond-shaped eyes that seemed familiar. For some reason, Olivia’s eyes suddenly flashed in Sylvia’s mind.
Could it be… that Olivia’s eyes resembled Franklin’s mother’s? And Franklin’s eyes also bore some resemblance?
This…
As she was lost in thought, Franklin pulled her down to kneel before the grave. “Mother, I’m here to see you.”
He reached out with trembling fingers to touch the photo on the tombstone. “Mother, I’m doing well now. Let me introduce you to your daughter-in-law, Sylvia. She’s wonderful.”
Sylvia quickly snapped out of her thoughts and said to the tombstone, “Mom, I’m Sylvia. I promise to stay with Franklin forever and take good care of him.”
“Mom, we’ll be fine from now on. It’s just a pity… you can’t see it.” Franklin couldn’t help but hug Sylvia tightly. “You must be relieved in heaven.”
On the way home, Sylvia drove while occasionally glancing at the silent Franklin beside her, still worried.
“Are you okay?”
Franklin reached out and patted her head. “Do you think I’m that weak? Seeing my mother only gave me more courage and strength to move forward.”
For many years, he rarely visited his mother because Tyrell and his wife were too vicious.
So he had always been cautious and careful.
Now he could finally visit his mother openly, which brought him some comfort.
Sylvia drove them to a supermarket where they bought fresh fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients before heading back to the Presidential Palace.
She carried the groceries to the kitchen while Franklin followed to help.
“Why don’t you rest?” Sylvia asked with concern.
“No need. It’s more fun together, isn’t it?” Franklin planted a light kiss on her forehead.
Sylvia prepared a table full of dishes, all of Franklin’s favorites.
But neither of them expected that the president would show up with his assistant again.
Franklin’s face darkened as soon as he saw him. “What are you doing here? Do you know what day it is?”
The president looked puzzled. He was always busy and couldn’t remember what day it was unless reminded by his assistant.
So he asked his assistant, “What day is it today?”
The assistant racked his brain but couldn’t think of any birthdays or anniversaries. He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
The president scolded him, “What’s the use of you?”
Franklin’s face was full of sarcasm. “Today is my mother’s death anniversary. So I suggest you leave.”
The president was momentarily stunned. “Today is Nina’s… death anniversary?”
His chest felt like it had been hit by a heavy hammer-painful, awkward, and more than anything else, furious with embarrassment. “What’s wrong with you? Why didn’t you tell me about your mother’s death anniversary? You’re too much!”
“Who’s really too much?” Franklin found it laughable. “You forgot about your first wife entirely and still have the nerve to question me? Whether you remember her or not doesn’t matter anymore.”
He had long given up on this cold-hearted father.
If not for their blood relation, he would consider the president a stranger.
Sylvia couldn’t believe how shameless and disgusting the president was for blaming Franklin for not informing him.
She tugged at Franklin’s sleeve. “Let’s eat.”
She didn’t want to lose her appetite because of him.
Franklin wasn’t really hungry anymore but didn’t want Sylvia’s hard work to go to waste. He picked up his chopsticks.
The president shamelessly sat down too, followed by his assistant.
As soon as the president reached out with his chopsticks, Franklin blocked him with his own. “Don’t think about freeloading here. Please leave; I don’t want to see you.”
“I’m your father! Without me, there wouldn’t be you!” The president roared angrily. Many people wanted to dine with him! He had lowered himself to come here to bond with his son! This ungrateful son!
“So what? Should I thank you?” Franklin stared coldly at him. “Today is my mother’s death anniversary; you’re not worthy of being here.”
The president slammed his chopsticks on the table in anger. “Fine! Suit yourself!”
He turned and left while the assistant looked helplessly at Franklin-another lose-lose situation. Awkward! He had wanted to taste Sylvia’s cooking!
Tonight she hadn’t made scallion oil rice but had prepared crispy small pancakes instead.
Those pancakes were delicious too.
Feeling frustrated about missing out on Sylvia’s cooking, the assistant followed behind the president and whispered, “Isaac invited you for dinner earlier today; you declined… How about…”