Emily’s shout made everyone in the room turn to her. Her face was flushed, her eyes filled with confusion. “Sorry,” Emily muttered, her voice barely audible.
Daniel watched her for a moment before continuing his interrupted conversation. “I will be responsible for all your son’s treatment costs,” he said firmly. Hearing Daniel’s words made Emily gasp, her heart pounding loudly in utter confusion.
The boy’s mother stared at Daniel with a piercing gaze. “Who are you?” she asked suspiciously, her voice piercing.
Grace stepped slowly towards Daniel, then gently took Daniel’s hand and looked at him warmly. “He is my Dad,” she said in a voice full of conviction.
Then Grace took Emily’s hand again. “And this is my Mom. So, I still have parents unlike what people say,” Grace said as she gave Emily and Daniel a sweet smile.
Emily fell silent in surprise, her eyes meeting Daniel’s gaze. Both of them stared at each other with mixed feelings. But what Grace said was true, because Daniel was actually her biological father, although Grace herself did not realize this.
Finally, the whole matter was resolved with an amicable agreement and a guarantee of compensation from Daniel. Grace still held Daniel and Emily’s hands as they left the room.
“Uncle, thank you for helping me to pretend to be my Dad,” Grace said as she looked at Daniel, her eyes filled with gratitude and emotion.
Emily bit her lip and swallowed when she heard her daughter’s words, who did not realize that Daniel in front of her was actually her biological father. Her heart felt broken and swayed in a wave of uncontrollable emotions.
“Grace, get in the car,” Emily ordered in a trembling voice, trying to mask her confusion.
“Uncle, when I said you were my Dad earlier, I meant it. I really hope you can marry my Mom,” Grace told Daniel in a sincere and anxious voice.
“Grace,” Emily said in a slightly raised tone, trying to reprimand her daughter.
“Get in the car,” Emily ordered, her voice a mixture of confusion and sadness.
“All right, Mom. I just want to talk to Uncle for a minute,” Grace replied as she got into the car.
After Grace got in, Emily gave Daniel a sharp look before asking. “Why are you doing this?”
Daniel didn’t answer the question, but simply handed her the cell phone and some money Emily had given him earlier. “Take these back,” he said before leaving Emily.
“I… I don’t…” before Emily could finish her sentence, Daniel had already left her.
Emily chased after Daniel, who walked quickly because of his long legs. “Wait, Daniel!” she shouted, but that didn’t make Daniel turn to her. Without a word, Daniel immediately got into his car and left Emily just like that.
“Wait! Daniel!” Emily tried to chase Daniel’s car that was getting away. Her feet stepped quickly, but her efforts were in vain. The car had driven so fast and left her at such a long distance.
Emily finally gave up and stepped into her car, her heart filled with disappointment and confusion.
“Mom, what’s wrong? Why are you chasing Uncle like that?” asked Grace in an innocent tone, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“None of these would have happened if it weren’t for you,” Emily said, realizing that she wouldn’t have crashed Daniel’s car and wouldn’t have used Daniel’s money to pay compesation to the boy’s mother if it wasn’t for Grace’s situation at school.
“What does Mom think of Uncle?” asked Grace, her eyes shining, as if she had discovered a great secret. “He’s very handsome, isn’t he? It would be perfect to be my new father.”
“Grace, stop trying to set me up with any man. You’re still young and should focus on your studies. I’d also be very grateful if you stopped causing trouble at school,” Emily said.
“All right, Mom. But I really hope Uncle is your soul mate,” Grace said with a big smile.
“Grace,” Emily said with wide eyes, looking at her daughter as if giving a warning.
“All right, all right. I’ll keep my mouth shut,” Grace replied.
Not long after, they arrived home. Fred, who had noticed Emily and Grace’s arrival, immediately opened the door with a warm smile on his face.
“Grandpa,” cried little Grace happily as she ran up to Fred and hugged him tightly. Fred returned the hug affectionately, feeling warm in his heart at the sight of his granddaughter’s happiness.
When they went inside, little Grace was eating with gusto in the dining room. Her innocent and eager face made Emily smile to see her. Fred sat next to Grace, occasionally giving her a proud smile as he watched his granddaughter enjoy her meal.
“Are you starving?” asked Fred as he smiled gently at Grace.
Little Grace nodded quickly, her eyes shining brightly. Fred put another side dish on her plate. “Eat plenty.”
“Thank you, Grandpa,” Grace said with a sweet smile.
After eating and putting Grace to bed, Emily came out of her room and saw Fred busy washing dishes in the kitchen. Saying nothing, Emily immediately took on washing the remaining dishes and started helping Fred with a light smile on her face.
“Is she asleep?” asked Fred, trying to make sure that his granddaughter was sound asleep.
Emily nodded her head lightly before answering. “Yes, she is.”
“I’ve always felt bad for you for keeping the secret about your real father. I’m sorry,” Fred said suddenly, his voice full of regret.
Emily looked at her father with a warm gaze. “Forget it, Dad. Let’s not bring it up again,” Emily replied.
“Em, aren’t you thinking about getting married again? You’re still young and I hope you can be happy and forget about that bastard,” Fred said.
All this time, Fred had always realized that Emily still hadn’t really gotten over Daniel. However, when news began to circulate about the death of Daniel’s parents caused by his friend, who was Emily’s biological father, Fred was very surprised. Especially when he heard Daniel intended to divorce Emily. His feelings were hurt and devastated to see his daughter fall and get hurt like that.
“I’m not interested in getting married again. I already have you and Grace. That’s enough for me,” Emily replied firmly.
“What about Sean? I know he’s the cousin of that bastard. I hated him at first, but I could see that he was sincere with you,” Fred said.
Emily recalled Sean, who sincerely expressed his feelings for her that he wanted to be serious and marry her. Sean also promised that he would never hurt Emily like Daniel did. Although Sean gave her time to think about it, until now Emily still hadn’t found a definite answer.
“I don’t intend to date and get married again. I’m not interested, Dad. So please don’t force me anymore,” Emily answered with confidence, trying to emphasize her decision to her father.
Fred felt sad to see his daughter, who was still hurt and not ready to open her heart again. He nodded in understanding, feeling Emily’s pain even though he didn’t fully understand how deep the wound left by Daniel was for his daughter.
“Dad, don’t worry. I’m already happy to have you and Grace,” Emily said as she continued to help Fred wash the dishes. Although the wounds of the past still lingered in her heart, Emily felt grateful for her father and daughter, whom she loved.
“Dad, can you look after Grace for me tonight?” asked Emily.
“Of course I can. Where are you going?” asked Fred.
“There’s something I need to take care of,” Emily replied steadily, giving no further details.
Fred was silent for a moment, feeling a little anxious, but he chose not to ask further. “Alright then. How’s the job application at the company going? Has there been any news?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“Not yet,” Emily replied briefly.
Suddenly Emily’s cell phone rang, interrupting their conversation.
“Just a minute, Dad,” Emily said as she dried her hands quickly and picked up the phone.
Emily listened intently to the conversation on the phone. Her eyes widened in surprise when she heard the news. She hung up the phone shakily, unable to believe what she had just heard.
“What’s wrong, Em?” asked Fred.