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
Matthew took two steps back and turned to look at Heather, who was still holding onto the tombstone. She alternated between crying and laughing, her hair disheveled, and her black clothes were smeared with dirt.Just as Gale was about to walk toward her, Shawn held her back.He said, "Don't go over. Heather might genuinely be insane or pretending, and she might hurt you.""It's okay. You are here with me," Gale said."Gale..."Her trust in him deeply moved him, but he was still worried. Shawn could not guarantee that he could protect her if danger struck, although he would try his best.Gale r held his hand, giving it a light pat. Heather could not cause much trouble with him, Aurum, and Matthew present."I'm just going over to ask her a few questions. If you're worried, stand behind me," Gale said, looking into his eyes.Shawn still did not let go.Gale smiled at him, withdrew her hand, and walked briskly toward Heather.Heather completely ignored her, still focused on Natal
Gale looked at her with a soft yet determined gaze. "So, tell me, what really happened.""Gale, why have you always believed that Heather had anything to do with it?" Matthew asked. "You wandered off and got lost. The police investigated, and there was no evidence pointing to her abducting you!"Aurum stood on the side, feeling shocked. Was Gale's childhood disappearance somehow connected to Heather? It sounded unbelievable at first, but after giving it some thought, Aurum felt that Heather did have a motive. She was the biggest beneficiary.Heather must have taken Gale away, sent her to an orphanage, and sent Natalie to the Yarn family to be raised as a dignified young lady! That way, her daughter could enjoy everything that belonged to Gale, including the engagement. Was that the truth? The realization struck Aurum suddenly. He could not wait to hear Heather's answer."Over these years, I've tried to find the truth, but I never found anything," Aurum spoke up.Shawn glanced at h
Matthew's face turned crimson, then purple. For a moment, he could not accept this truth. Matthew felt the pain of being betrayed by the person he trusted and loved the most.Heather's hand rested on the tombstone. "I admit it. I've guarded this secret for so many years and never told anyone. I might as well speak my mind since things have come to this!""Heather! This was your plan from the start!" Matthew exclaimed."Yes." Matthew took a few short breaths in succession. "When you suggested that I should adopt Natalie, I thought it was an opportunistic idea. But, it turns out, it was a deliberately planned scheme!""Exactly. Everything was meticulously planned. Matthew, they're both your daughters. Why should only Mary's daughter enjoy wealth and prosperity?" Heather said, looking at him."I did it because you, Matthew, are incapable!"Heather pointed at him, her fingernail almost poking into his eyes."You lacked ability and strategy; you were scared to answer my calls whene