"You seem a bit off? Did something happen during the time I went to pick up Nicole?" Gale asked."Nothing, everything's normal." Shawn replied, calming himself and opening his arms to Nicole, "Come on, Daddy's here."He desperately needed his daughter to comfort his fragile heart.Nicole was about to run toward him, and he was ready for that joyful satisfaction of his daughter rushing into his arms.However, Joshua intervened."Nicole, weren't you here to visit me in the hospital? How did you go to Daddy's side first? Don't you care about me anymore? Don't you love me anymore?"Nicole abruptly stopped. Then, she turned and ran straight to Joshua's bedside."Why would you think that, Joshua? Mommy told me you were injured, and I was so worried!" Nicole stood by the bedside, looking at him with concern. "It must hurt a lot. Why are you so careless?""It's not my fault. Someone else caused my injury.""But Mommy said it was because you fell."Joshua denied, "It's because of some
"I'm sincere." Nicole looked up at Gale and asked, "Right, Mommy? Daddy must be thinking the same!"Gale nodded and said, "Yes, we welcome Joshua back to the family. He's our bravest little man, and this family wouldn't be complete without him."Nicole's words almost brought Joshua to tears.Gale noticed that and thought she had messed up. Joshua's return to the family was significant. He, too, was a child longing for attention, love, and warmth!"When he is discharged, we'll have a party at home. You can invite your classmates, friends, anyone you like!" Gale said. Nicole was the first to respond. "Great! We need to buy a very, very big cake, taller than me!""No problem!""We also need balloons! Fireworks too! Prepare lots and lots of colorful lights, snacks, desserts, fruits, drinks..."Gale smiled and pinched her cheek. "Nicole, are you using the welcoming party as an excuse to prepare a feast for yourself?""No, no, it's mainly to welcome Joshua!"Joshua, in a cool tone
"But what I want most is for my godparents to attend and celebrate Joshua's return to our home."After pausing for a few seconds, Shawn beckoned, "Nicole, come here."Nicole walked over to him."You just mentioned inviting so many people, but you didn't mention me. It seems that Daddy isn't very important to Nicole."As soon as Nicole heard this, she quickly waved her hands. "Ah! No, Daddy, you're the host, not a guest. You don't need an invitation at all! You'll be there anyway!"Seeing that his plan had failed, Shawn immediately switched tactics."Well, you only asked Mommy's opinion just now, and you didn't ask me."With this, Nicole immediately started blaming herself. "I'm sorry, Daddy, I didn't think of you for a moment.""It's okay, you often overlook me, and I'm used to it.""No, no. Daddy, you're busy with work every day, dealing with many things. I thought these small things could be between Mommy and me so as not to disturb you..." Nicole hurriedly explained.She e
Shawn, despite having a head full of silver hair, still did not look his age. He was handsome with chiseled features and looked like someone who had dyed his hair silver. One could say he bore a striking resemblance to a Hollywood film star. "In my thirties. Unfortunately, there were four years of my life without you," Shawn replied in a low voice."Enough with the cheesy lines. I just wanted to say you're in your thirties and jealous of Joshua here. Isn't that childish? It's getting unbearable, and you're making it difficult for poor Nicole." Gale chuckled. How could she choose between her daddy and her brother? Gale could not bear it."Am I making things difficult for her?" Shawn glanced toward the hospital bed. "They seem to be having a good time chatting.""You've had your hugs and kisses. Aren't you satisfied? You've flaunted enough. It's time to share Nicole with others, right?"Shawn leaned in and whispered, "Okay, Nicole belongs to Joshua; you belong to me."It frighte
Aurum knew that. He would never be better than Shawn. However, he was the one who first proposed to Gale, even before Sam.Gale saw him and greeted, "Aurum, what a coincidence.""I was waiting for you," Aurum replied."Waiting for me?""The path to her grave is a little far. I was worried you and Mr. Wood might get lost, so I came to lead the way."The graveyard was large, and it was indeed easy to get lost. However, with Shawn around, Gale felt no fear whatsoever. She felt extremely secure with him there, no matter how dangerous it might be.Aurum turned around and started walking. "The burial spot was bought at the very last minute, and no good lots were left. Sorry to trouble Mr. Wood and Mrs. Wood."Gale glanced sideways at Shawn.Aurum seemed off. He was polite, distant, and calm.Shawn remained silent, squeezing Gale's hand tightly and leading her up the hill.Natalie's funeral was extremely simple. Only her parents and Aurum came to send her off on this final journey
They would not mourn her death.Matthew looked at Gale's empty hands. "No flowers? Gale, she's dead, and you didn't even bring a bouquet of flowers."Gale replied, "Maybe you misunderstood. I'm not here to mourn her.""Then...""I'm here for Heather. She seems, well, not quite normal," Gale said.Heather, completely disregarding who was around or what was happening, continued to hold onto the tombstone, caressing Natalie's memorial photo. She muttered to herself.Matthew explained, "Since Natalie's death, she's been murmuring about Natalie to herself.""She was a bad mother. What is there to regret?""Gale, she's gone. Can't we just let bygones be bygones?"Gale clarified, "No, we can't."Some things would not just disappear with death. Natalie's sins lingered forever. The harm caused would be everlasting. Must she forgive and let go just because she had died?Matthew wanted to say something, but Gale spoke first, "There is nothing to say. Natalie is only my blood sister. I
"I treated Natalie well because she had so little to begin with. Gale, you had things she could never get, no matter how hard she tried. So, I always thought about giving her a bit more because you already have plenty," Matthew said."You are Mary's daughter, and Natalie is Heather's. Your mother determined the difference between you and Natalie. You are a true young lady of a wealthy family, whereas she, although my daughter, doesn't have the same birthright as you.""Later, when you went missing, she had the chance to be adopted into the Yarn family and Mary. She could enjoy the status and treatment that you could have had. Then, when we found you, we realized you would be Mr. Wood's esteemed wife.""Yet, Natalie first lost her status in the Yarn family, then in the Lefting family. She lost everything. She only has me as her father." Matthew sighed repeatedly."She suddenly lost it all. I expected her not to handle the blow well. So, I thought of giving her as much support as pos
"Enough, I don't want to hear it anymore," Gale interrupted him.Matthew's reasons were so absurd. Why should the fatherly love meant for her be given to Natalie just because she was born out of an affair? Besides, Natalie was not that pitiful. At least she had food and shelter, health and even good looks. She already had a much better life than most people!Matthew stood alone, cautiously glancing at Gale, then retracting his gaze. He looked somewhat pitiful.He once was a prominent figure in Sea City, a respected chairman of a listed company and the head of the Yarn family. Now, he had nothing and had to bend to Gale."Fine, fine. I won't bother you anymore, Gale. I apologize to you and your mother. Now, things have come to this, and I just want..." Matthew sighed deeply.He paused. Gale asked, "What do you want? Do you think you have the right to choose?""I want to leave Sea City with Heather, and you will never see us again. You can consider us dead.""You still haven't