Irene was silent for a moment before she replied, "I'll leave if he doesn't love me.""Could you do so without tears? Without regrets?" Zachary pressed. Irene was silent. She had no idea, and the answer was probably not.After all, once a person falls in love, any parting would break their heart."Don't worry. I hear you—I'll let her go for the sake of her happiness." Zachary pursed his lips in a smile. "Do you know why two people in love still have to part?" "External factors," Irene replied.It was certainly the case for Zachary and Lulu. So much had happened between them that they were driven apart. In fact, even if Lulu turned around and accepted him again, things might not return to the way they had been for them.A relationship is a fragile object. Once shattered, it would never be the way it was, no matter what is done."Did you watch Garfield?" Zachary suddenly asked.Irene shook her head—she did not have the luxury of watching cartoons as a child.As such, Zach
Marie quickly asked, "What did you see?" Thomas promptly barked at her to stop! "This is a vineyard, that's all! What would he have seen? Just bunches of ripe grapes!"However, Isaac sharply caught the point from what Marie blurted.She was concerned about what he saw, and that meant there was something here that must never be seen.It was likely that this vineyard was just a front, but the couple were not bad people—he would be dead if they were."I'm grateful that you saved me," Isaac said. "If you need my help, I won't be stingy."However, Marie did not dare to speak anymore and only gingerly tugged at Thomas' sleeve, as if tacitly telling him that they could take a chance on Isaac.Even so, Thomas was not as trusting as she was, and he was considerably more prudent.He shot her look that told her to be as much, and he picked up his basket. "Come with me."He was not worried about Isaac escaping—one being that this place was too isolated and difficult to leave, the other
The clear, familiar voice left Irene's face falling.She felt delight, excitement, and an indescribable urgency all at once. "Isaac?!"Still, her voice soon became careful, "Isaac, is that you?""Yeah," he replied. "I'm fine over here."Irene felt as if she was drained right then, and she had to lean limply against the wall beside her as she smiled with tears in her eyes.Still, working hard to keep herself calm, she asked, "Where are you? I'll come to you right now."Beside her, Zachary and Stan had leaned closer to listen to the conversation.Isaac paused for a moment before saying, "I'm a little busy here. I just called so that you won't worry."Irene frowned, but Isaac hung up before she could say anything else.Irene became flustered and quickly dialed the number!The call got through, but it was hung up from the other end. She was going to try again when Zachary caught her wrist. "Don't.""Why?" Irene asked."It's obvious Isaac is constrained at the moment," he said
However, Isaac stayed calm and composed so that he did not appear to be in a hurry to leave, even if he felt that way inside."You can ask me for anything," he told Thomas, knowing that Thomas still had his doubts about him.There was a flash in Thomas's eyes even as he looked at Isaac, but he still refrained from asking Isaac to save his son Michael.This was very serious, and Thomas was concerned that Isaac would fail. If they were exposed, his family would be hurt instead.That was why he did not want to take the risk.He was helping Isaac escape because he felt that Isaac was not a bad person, and that alone. "I would rather you forget everything here," the man said. That would be far better for either of them.Isaac stayed silent.-The terrain around the vineyard was bad, and trying to leave would take at least a couple days, though driving would be much quicker.Thomas had Marie prepare him some food and water.Once that was done, Marie handed him the backpack cont
Thomas became wary immediately. "Really?""Yeah," Isaac replied assuredly. "How does it benefit me if I lie to you?"Isaac could tell that Thomas was scared of those people and that they were no angels.That was why he warned Thomas, so that Thomas would be more careful.Moreover, he understood that he would be in worse danger if they were found.Thomas stayed silent and listened, but he could not hear anything aside from the breeze, the rustling trees, and the occasional bird's cry.However, it was said that those who could not see would hear better, and Thomas believed Isaac."Should we stop?" he suggested, thinking those men would probably drive away soon. It was why he had picked this moment to leave with Isaac—his employers would not be coming back after they had just left, making right now the safest window of opportunity. "Sure," Isaac said. However, there were only tall weeds everywhere, and they did not have a place to sit."There's a river up ahead," Thomas said
Thomas could not care less if Isaac could actually help him just then, and he told Isaac everything."They have my son Michael," Thomas explained. "My wife and I were forced to work for them, and they'll find the bodies soon. I need to go back and save my wife, so you contact your family and ask them to save you."Thomas was quite sharp too—worried that Isaac could not see and tap on the right numbers, he redialed the number Isaac called the last time."Be safe," he said and left with the gun.As soon as he was gone, Irene was calling out urgently from the other end, "Isaac? Isaac?"Isaac raised the phone to his ear and spoke with composure, "Calm down and listen to me, Irene. Ask James to track the location of this phone before coming. Don't come alone—things might get dangerous around here, so be very prepared.""There's no need to worry, though. I'm fine," he added to assure Irene.-Irene grabbed Stan, who was sitting right next to her, and relayed Isaac's message."Hurry!
Once James answered, Stan told him everything and said, "We're heading there right now, but it might be dangerous, so bring more people if you can. I'm giving you the location now—hurry!""Got it," James replied.Once he hung up, Stan started to search the web for details about that location, but it turned out to be an isolated location without anyone around."Could Mr. Jefferson be captured by bandits?" he mused. Zachary rolled his eyes. "What year is it? Also, Dunesia is a safe country. There won't be any bandits.""Why don't you take a look?" Stan scoffed. "Mr. Jefferson was calling from up in the mountains, and the phone wasn't his either. Who do you think those people would be? Savages?'Zachary ignored him, realizing just then why Isaac kept James around while leaving Stan in Franconia for some time.The man's head was empty! Stan had no idea what Zachary was thinking, and he actually clapped Zachary on the shoulder, saying, "Why are you being quiet?"Zachary kept his
"Sh*t!" Stan cursed. "Let's get out of the car!"Their jeep was too conspicuous here, and they might be in trouble if they were noticed.As such, they alighted, and they quietly and slowly moved onward through the bushes.They did not make a sound in fear that there were others nearby. Irene grabbed Zachary's arm and asked softly, "The gunshots sounded very close. Do you think Isaac's alright?"Zachary patted the back of her hand. "Don't worry—we're already here. We'll be able to find him soon."Even so, Irene could not help worrying and had to repress her unease.However, the mountains were quiet after those gunshots, and it felt like there was no one else there at all.Stan got up and checked their surroundings, but there were only trees and more trees, with no one to be found.If they crouched, they would never be seen under the tall grass. Finding anyone here would be too difficult, and this was hardly the best way."I'll go alone, while you two maintain a distance fro
Soon after the wedding, Mr. Fowler proposed for Stan to work at his company to get used to the work over there.He was worried as he did not have much time left, and it would not do if he was gone before the proper arrangements were made.Still, Stan returned to Franconia with Isaac and his family, sorting out things at work and finishing every task he had on hand.While Isaac used to have a lot of free time with Stan around, he was just slightly busier after Stan left. After all, no company should operate in a way that losing a single person would stall all their operations.And after a week, Stan sorted out all the remaining tasks he had in Franconia and returned to Zidonia to start work at the Fowlers' family business.While Stan had property in Zidonia too, he moved into the Fowlers' mansion, but not as a live-in son-in-law. He was simply aware of Mr. Fowler's illness, and Rea wanted to spend more time with her parents.And as the son-in-law, he was obliged to do that much.
Despite feeling wistful, Mr. Fowler eventually passed Rea's hand to Stan. "I hope you will both cherish each other from now on."Rea told him, "We will."Thereafter, it was the usual proceedings of a wedding, with exchange of rings and vows, the wedding speech, and the luncheon!Though everything went smoothly, Mrs. Fowler could not help shedding tears.She was pleased that her daughter was finally getting married, especially since she was looking forward to this.But now that Rea really did marry, she was worried that her life might get difficult and unhappy.Such was the worrisome nature of mothers.-Later, Stan led Rea to Isaac's table.They were all acquainted, but Stan introduced everyone once again to reacquaint them with Rea.After all, she was no longer Zachary's friend's cousin now, but Stan's wife.Erin was grinning from ear to ear. "Congratulations.""Thank you." Rea smiled in return."Congrats," Baby said, imitating the adults.Rea reached out to stroke his c
Zachary said, "I heard you sealed the deal with Rea Fowler, and her family is preparing for your wedding."Stan smiled. "I'm the look of success—getting a girl couldn't be simpler. See? I'm getting married already.""Well, I guess we're all taken now," Erin said.Tommy poked his head up just then. "Congratulations, Uncle Stan.""Thank you." Stan chuckled, patting his head."Also, I heard that you're marrying into the Fowler family?" Zachary asked.Everyone turned to stare at Stan in shock, but it was understandable.Stan was not that modest that he would have to go that far—he had money and was successful enough to afford a wife.Still, Zachary—who knew the Fowlers—suggested, "To be fair, they do need someone to take care of the family business…"-Either way, it meant that Irene's family would be delaying their return trip to Franconia.After all, none of them had expected to attend Stan's wedding so soon after Zachary's.Stan himself did not expect that either, as he had
"What's the problem? We've already slept together," Rea said as she put her clothes on.She frowned as Stan was still on the bed and not moving. "What, are you going to stay in my bed forever?""What am I supposed to wear?" Stan shrugged. "You haven't brought my clothes here.""I'll get it for you."Rea remembered his suitcase then and hurried downstairs to bring it up."Wear whatever you like. I'll be waiting downstairs," she said and hurried away.Stan got out of bed and put on a suit—it was only right to dress formally when it came to discussing marriage.After cleaning up and heading downstairs, he found Rea sandwiched by her parents.Stan had no idea if she had already mentioned it, but both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were both staring at him, leaving him further tense.Clearing his throat, Stan began, "Excuse me, but—""Yes, we agree to you marrying our daughter.""You mean marrying into our family," Rea corrected them.Everyone else was staring at her before asking all at o
If Rea asked her parents now, they would only get sad, and life would become difficult for everyoneWhat should she do to make them happy?Right, she could get married! Her parents would definitely be pleased. As for the choice of bridegroom, did she not have one readily available here?If Stan could pretend to be her boyfriend, he could definitely be her husband too.They could fake their marriage if they had to!Putting the medical file back where she found it, she wobbled up to her feet and left the room.Stan had yet to step out of the bathroom when she returned, so she sat on the bed and waited.After a while, Stan stepped out with a towel around his waist and paused when he saw Rea sitting there. "Where are my clothes?" He asked, presuming that Rea had forgotten since there was nothing on the bed or the table. "My suitcase is still in your car trunk."Rea turned toward him. "Let's get married."Stan was left speechless for a moment and soon chuckled, "Did you forge
Mrs. Fowler smacked her daughter, but while Rea thought she was angry, she said instead, "Just do your best."Rea's mind was blown—were her parents bewitched? They were completely different from before! A long time ago, her parents had used to tell her that she did not have to marry as long as she was happy.But later on, they had persistently sent her on blind dates… and now, they were telling her to seduce a man?Touching her mother's forehead, Rea asked, "Are you sick?"Mrs. Fowler slapped her hand off. "Your dad and I are leaving now.""Yeah." Mr. Fowler nodded. "The chauffeur is waiting."Rea walked them to the door and watched as their car left before returning inside.She did not go upstairs since Stan was asleep, and she would be bored—she was the type who just could not sit still.However, it was inappropriate if she left since that would leave nobody home.In her boredom, she thought of pranking Stan. She headed upstairs to find him asleep, and soundly at that.Ca
Unable to argue against her parents, Rea said, "Fine, fine. Whatever you say."Mrs. Fowler smiled. "Then help Stan upstairs to get some rest.""Which room?" Rea asked.Mrs. Fowler realized with a start and quickly said, "Oh, there's no bedding in the guest room… So let him stay in your room."Rea was left staring at her in shock. "When did you get so open-minded? Letting a man stay in your daughter's room?"Mrs. Fowler shrugged. "What can he do when he's drunk?""Haven't you heard of drunken fumbles?" Rea asked.Both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler shook their heads at the same time. "Nope."Rea was left totally speechless—this was just outrageous!She would think that Stan was actually their son, if it was not for the fact that they were not acquainted before.They were not like this before either—even if they were urging her to get married, they were not throwing her at a man like this!Mr. Fowler then said, "If anything happens, we'll demand that he takes responsibility and marries y
"I get it," Stan replied quietly. "I wouldn't have been upset even if you didn't explain yourself. But since you did, I forgive you."Rea's brow creased as she pursed her lips. "See? I knew it. We really shouldn't be too nice to you."While Stan was speechless, Mrs. Fowler was enthusiastically putting food on Stan's plate. "This is our family's favorite dish. Try it."Stan nodded after a bite. "It's good."Mrs. Fowler smiled, while Mr. Fowler poured him a glass of wine. "Can you hold your liquor?"Stan smiled. "More or less.""You're being humble now." Mr. Fowler smiled at him. "You're definitely a good drinker.""A little."Rea had enough right then. "Dad, Stan has work to do, and he has to return to Franconia tomorrow. You're going to make things difficult for him."Mr. Fowler smiled awkwardly. "Right…" "You think?" Rea huffed, snatching his wine away. "Everyone only gets to have one glass."Mr. Fowler glared at Rea. "Party pooper."Rea shrugged. "I'm doing this for your
Rea turned her head aside. "Then what's your hobby?"Stan did a double take and remembered his life… which was work and more work.It had been years since he took leave, and he would not get to goof off the last few days if it had not been for Zachary's wedding.Hobby? He certainly did not have anything like that.Now that he thought about it, his life was boring and monotonous, and he did not have anyone very close.That was why he wanted a kind, understanding wife to care and offer him company while he took care of her needs.When he looked up at Rea, he clearly felt that she was not for him—he needed someone to take care of him, but with her, he would be busy taking care of her instead."You're looking at me weirdly," Rea suddenly said."How so?" Stan asked.Rea moved closer, looking him in the eyes and asking solemnly, "Don't tell me—you've fallen for me?""You don't just suffer from a flawed personality—you're narcissistic too."Stan pursed his lips and checked the tim