Ellie, Daniel and Richard were all at Daniel’s mansion, celebrating their victory. After Sophia’s arrest at the hall, they had dismissed the guests and they all had headed to Daniel’s house to celebrate their accomplishment. They were seated in his gigantic living room, toasting to their success and just then, a male figure walked in. The figure staggered and was walking as if he would drop dead anytime soon. He looked disheveled and his hair was rough. The more he walked closer to them, the more the smell of alcohol filled their noses, evidence that the figure had drowned himself in alcohol for quite some hours. The sight of him made them halt in their celebration and confusion was hitched on their faces. There were strains of dried tears of the figure’s cheeks which showed that he had been shedding tears. When the figure finally got to where they were seated, he halted in his steps and turned to face Daniel.
“Edward, what’s wrong? Why are you like this?” Daniel asked, as concern laced his voice. When Edward almost lost his life in the car accident he had five years ago, Daniel had realized how much he loved Edward and that he had been ignorant of his feelings for him. Seeing him on the brink of death, made Daniel realize he had wronged Edward a lot and had never cared for him like he should have. He was filled with regrets and sorrow. His conscience pricked him as he knew he was the cause of his mother’s death and now, he was about sending his son to his early grave all because of his selfishness.
When Edward had miraculously survived that day 5 years ago, he made a promise to himself. A promise to never let go of Edward’s hands and to protect him until his last breath. He began to care for Edward although secretly, as he didn’t want Allison’s eyes to be on Edward. He had secretly done his research on Allison and found out that all Allison told him about her reason for hiding her identity after they reunited was all false. He further found out that her suppose foster parents, whom she had said adopted her, weren’t even aware that she wasn’t their real child and that their real daughter had died in her hands, all because she wanted to claim her identity. He realized how dangerous Allison was and so, made up his mind to pretend not be aware of her atrocities and play her games with her, according to her rules.
Five years back, when he had found out through his friend and partner, Williams, that Ellie, whom they all assumed to be dead was alive and that in actuality, she was Williams’ daughter, Daniel made a resolution to support Ellie in getting her revenge on Sophia, as he had thought that was his only way of atoning for his sins against Catherine and Edward. Fully aware that Austin was Edward and Ellie’s child, Daniel nourished him with all the love he never showed Edward as a child, hoping Catherine would find it in her heart to forgive him wherever she was. Hence, the reason behind the closeness between him and Austin and why he loved him so much. Seeing the son he had promised himself to protect until his last breath standing in front of him looking sad, broke Daniel’s heart. Instead of Edward to give a response to his father’s question, he got on his kneels which came as a shock to everyone.
“Dad, you know I have always done whatsoever you asked of me all my life. My life was tailored to meet with your needs. Even when you asked me to marry Sophia whom I didn’t love, I still heeded to your words but today, I want to rewrite history. Just this once dad, I want to plead for something and I would be grateful if you grant my request” Edward, who was still on his knees in his drunken state said, with his eyes filled with tears. Hearing this, Richard burst into laughter, one that showed he was making jest of Edward.
“You think your tears will move us? If your request is about making Dad have a change of heart about his decision of stripping you off your title as the Vice-President of the company, that won’t be possible. So, don’t bother asking and save your saliva. Just get up and get the hell out of here!!!!” Richard blurted out, with a smirk on his face and hatred evident in his voice.
“Let’s hear him out first, Richard” Daniel cut in calmly, trying to shut Richard up.
“Go ahead. I am all ears” Daniel said, his eyes fixed on Edward.
“I don’t have interest in the position at the company, you can take it for all I care. I want neither your wealth nor your property. I just want one thing from you; one person that means the whole world to me. The one who filled the vacuum of my mum’s absence in my heart. I want her dad. I want her to be mine” Edward voiced out, pointing in the direction of where Ellie was seated, with the tears that had laced his eyes earlier, running down his cheeks. With their mouths agape, they all stared shockingly at Edward. Edward had not attended the event earlier that day as he had locked himself up in his room after regaining his memory, drinking and crying himself to stupor. He was heartbroken and devastated and couldn’t bring himself to face Ellie as he knew she would be present at the event. While in his state of devastation seated on the floor in his room, his father’s announcements and Sophia’s arrest had been reported on the news. Hearing one of the announcements brought him to his feet and made him make his way to his father’s house, to claim what originally belonged to him.
“What? You want my fiancee? My woman? Are you nuts?” Richard yelled angrily, got up from his seat and rushed in the direction of where Edward had knelt, ready to engage in a fight with him but was stopped by their father.
“Stop it, Richard!!!! Let’s settle this amicably” Daniel instructed sternly.
“You want your brother’s fiancee? Do you know what you are asking for or have you forgotten they are engaged?” Daniel queried Edward, who seemed not to be shaken by Richard’s threat.
“I know she is his fiancee but she was mine to begin with. I just want to claim what belongs to me!!!!!” Edward voiced out. His words brought about tension in the room and the air became stiff.
“What do you mean by that?” Richard asked, looking confused.
“I remember who she is now. I can remember everything now!!!! How you betrayed me with Sophia, how I met her at Cheetahs, the special moments we shared together and what actually happened the night I had the accident. I fucking remember everything now and I know she is Ellie!!!!” Edward yelled out in frustration, as he staggered to his feet, with tears streaming from his eyes, down his cheeks. Everywhere fell silent as no one could utter a word and all they did was to stare at Edward blankly, devoid of any emotion.