As he read the message, Jake’s eyes reddened once more as memories of his last time with David flashed through his mind. He recalled David’s last warm smile towards him before their relationship hit the rocks due to David’s unrecognized marriage. Jake’s heart ache once more. With trembling hands, he opened the medicine packet on the table and consumed it bitterly.
In that regretful moment, Jake’s tears could no longer be held back and fell down his cheeks. The sound of his sobs broke the silence of the room. A father’s regret for his son.
“I’m sorry, my poor son. If the message is true, I will make sure that the murderer gets the punishment he deserves,” Jake said in a trembling voice, accompanied by unstoppable sobs.
The words of apology that fell from Jake’s lips contained a huge burden of sadness and regret. With a facial expression filled with regret, Jake continued to cry bitterly, lamenting his mistakes and vowing to uphold justice for his son’s tragic death. The sound of his sobs continued to echo in the room, creating a tense aura of grief.
***
Meanwhile, on the other side, Daniel and Emily’s souls returned to their respective bodies as the clock struck seven in the evening.
Sophia felt trapped in a confusing situation when Emily and Daniel caught her with another man. A tense atmosphere surrounded them, and the enveloping silence further added to the tension in the air. Sophia could only remain silent, unable to utter a single word.
Suddenly, the man standing beside Sophia broke the silence with his calm voice. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
Sophia could only give a small nod in response before the man left. Her heart skipped a beat, and as the silence returned to the boutique, she spoke in a low voice, “Looks like I got caught,” she whispered almost inaudibly.
With a tense yet calm facial expression, Sophia continued with a sharp question. “Are you going to make fun of me? Or, report me to Dad?” Her tone remained steady, as if she was ready to accept any consequences of her actions.
Daniel sighed heavily before answering firmly, “I’m not interested in other people’s business. I don’t have the right to judge someone’s choices in life, even if it involves my aunt.”
As Sophia laughed in response to Daniel’s words, Emily felt her breath catch, taken aback by this tense encounter. Sophia continued in a voice that remained firm, “I also don’t care if you want to report me. I no longer care if my relationship with some other man is known by anyone, including Dad.”
In a moment of tension, Daniel said firmly, “You don’t have to worry because I won’t report it to anyone.”
“Why?” said Sophia in a tremulous tone, her expression reflecting deep confusion and sadness. Tears almost fell from her eyes, but Sophia quickly wiped them away, trying to contain her emotions.
“Why does your mother have to ruin my happiness?” Sophia asked in a voice filled with disappointment.
Emily was surprised when she heard the sharp question that came out of Sophia’s mouth.
“Your mother has ruined my household because of my husband, who still continues to love her, even though she is dead. You know everything, don’t you? But you pretend not to know. Isn’t that so?” asked Sophia in a sarcastic tone, looking sharply at Daniel.
Emily’s eyes widened in shock, her eyes glued to Daniel, who fell into a shackling silence. The dark expression in Daniel’s eyes suggested Sophia’s sharp words shook him.
“I’m sure the rumors about me being with some other men are known to you as well,” Sophia continued in a sharp and hateful tone.
“Why do you two have to destroy my home and family? If it wasn’t for your mother, my brother would never have made enemies with Dad, and if my husband never met your mother, my husband wouldn’t have become this stupid out of love and I would be happy. And if you hadn’t been born into this world, my son, Sean, would have become the leader of that company,” Sophia continued hatefully, exposing the layers of conflict that enveloped her life.
“Let’s not continue this conversation anymore. Let’s pretend our meeting today never happened,” Daniel said in a calm but firm voice, trying to avoid the never-ending family conflict.
“Let’s go,” Daniel invited Emily by his side. Emily just gave a small nod, obeying Daniel’s request.
“Maybe your mother can destroy my household, but I won’t let you enjoy the CEO position for too long,” Sophia said sharply, her eyes piercing at Daniel and Emily, who were about to leave.
With a sharp gaze full of firmness, Daniel stared back at Sophia. “If Auntie really wants Sean to replace me as CEO, then he should work harder to improve his attitude to be worthy of being a leader,” he retorted firmly and steadily.
“How arrogant,” Sophia said sarcastically.
“Sorry, Auntie. We have to continue our shopping plan,” Daniel said politely while giving a respectful greeting to Sophia, followed by Emily, who also gave a respectful greeting to him before leaving him.
After getting warm clothes as a birthday present for Jake, Daniel’s grandfather, Emily and Daniel returned to the car parked outside the boutique. The sound of the car engine running broke the silence between them. Emily occasionally glanced at Daniel, trying to read his expression.
“Are you worried about me?” asked Daniel, sensing the concern in Emily’s expression.
“Are you okay?” asked Emily seriously, looking at Daniel, who was focused on driving.
Daniel smiled slightly at Emily’s question. “Don’t worry. I’m fine,” he said, stroking Emily’s head gently.
Receiving such tender treatment from Daniel, Emily’s cheeks flushed and her smile broke out happily.
“Can you stroke my head one more time?” Emily asked gently.
Daniel happily complied with Emily’s request and stroked her head. For a moment, he looked at Emily with a thin, meaningful smile before refocusing his attention on the road ahead of them.
“Is it true what Aunt Sophia said before?” asked Emily.
Daniel nodded slowly before answering. “Mom was Sean’s father’s first love.”
“After marrying Dad, Mom never got involved with Sean’s father again. Sean’s father is just a part of her past,” Daniel continued, his eyes remaining focused on the road in front of them.
“It must have been very hard for you,” said Emily, her voice almost choked with unstoppable emotion, while her eyes were red from holding back the tears that wanted to spill over seeing Daniel’s struggle to deal with his family conflict.
“What happened to you?” asked Daniel with surprise when he saw Emily’s sudden change of attitude.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Daniel’s voice was full of concern when tears began to run down Emily’s cheeks until finally he stopped the car.
Daniel handed Emily some tissues, showing his concern for Emily’s hurt feelings. Gently, Daniel brought Emily’s face up to his, trying to provide support and comfort. “Hey, look at me,” he said in a soft voice, trying to distract Emily with the warmth radiating from his eyes.
“I’m fine. There’s no need to worry about me,” Daniel said, trying to reassure Emily.
Emily shook her head gently before replying, “I just… I just feel sorry for you. How have you survived all this time with your family, always blaming and cornering you like that? If I were you, I definitely wouldn’t have lasted this long,” Emily said with a voice full of empathy and worry.
Daniel felt a little guilty for the grudge he had been harboring against the kind woman in front of him. “I’m sorry,” he said in a voice full of regret while hugging Emily tightly in front of him, trying to convey his regret and apology.
“Why are you apologizing to me?” asked Emily, surprised and confused by Daniel’s sudden apology.
‘I’m sorry, because I already had the intention to avenge you for what your father did,’ Daniel thought.
“It’s okay,” Daniel replied.
While Emily was still in Daniel’s arms, the sound of Emily’s hungry stomach suddenly sounded.
“Rrrrrrr…” the sound of Emily’s stomach made them both startle for a moment before chuckling.
“Are you hungry?” asked Daniel.
Emily felt embarrassed, her cheeks turning red because she didn’t expect her stomach to make such a loud noise.
“Yes, I’m hungry,” Emily replied with an embarrassed smile.
“Alright, let’s eat,” Daniel invited as he started the car engine again.
‘I’m so happy with this marriage and I hope it will last forever,’ Emily thought as she smiled softly, feeling the warmth and love that surrounded them both.