19%
“It’s everything. You, Kiara… and my father. I can’t bring myself to forgive any of you. Even if you compensate me, no matter how much–it doesn’t make me Happy. If anything, every apology you offer just drags me back to those memories of your betrayal. It hurts. Every time, it hurts.”
“If I had to look at this company every day, I’d be reminded of everything that broke me. To me, this place holds nothing but pain.” Winston froze where he stood. His eyes darkened, a flicker of self–mockery flashing through them.X
“You’re right. I didn’t think it through. I shouldn’t keep bothering you, making you relive all of it. But you have to take the company. Whether you sell it, burn it to the ground, or leave it to rot–that’s your choice. But I can’t keep it. I’d never forgive myself.”
He stubbornly placed the equity transfer agreement in front of me and handed me a pen.
Maybe his emotions had gotten the better of him, but the moment he leaned down, a violent coughing fit overtook him. His chest heaved so hard it seemed like he might break apart.
I frowned, watching him bend over coughing for what felt like minutes.”
“Are you sick?” I asked sharply. “If you’re not well, go see a doctor. Don’t force yourself”
Grabbing a tissue, he wiped at his mouth–and I glimpsed a smear of red. My heart skipped a beat
But he just smiled faintly and carelessly stuffed a bloodstained tissue into his pocket.
*Just a fever I caught the flu last week but it’s mostly over now. Probably just bleeding gums. I haven’t been drinking enough water lately” I didn’t push further. I picked up the pen and signed.
Winston finally exhaled in relief, his expression softening for the first time.!!
He hadn’t touched his coffee, but he stood up like he couldn’t stay a second longer.”
The moment he left, Denver came in
He looked into my eyes, reading my expression–and seemed relieved.
“So,” he said, “Winston gave you back the company?”
I nodded, though my brows stayed furrowed. “Something feels off. But whatever happens now has nothing to do with me. That company camies too much regret. I don’t want to live in the past anymore.”
Denver understood immediately and nodded. “Don’t worry. Leave the rest to me. I’ll take care of it.”
On the drive home, I handed him my pregnancy test results. He was so shocked that he slammed on the brakes and pulled over
His hands trembled as he held the paper?
“What is this? Blanca–what are you giving me?
I couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction.
“I’m pregnant. A little over seven weeks. From now on, we’ll stay here in San Francisco. Just the two of us, living a good life.” His eyes instantly reddened, his nose stung, and he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly.
At around two in the morning, Kiara called.
Her tone was sharp, bitter, and almost scolding
“Biancal is this how a daughter should act? Dad is still unconscious in the hospital, and you’re sleeping peacefully at home? You’re such an ungrateful brat
When I arrived, she was blocking the door to my father’s room, refusing to let me in. I glanced at her, already exhausted.
“You dragged me here in the middle of the night, only to stop me from seeing him? What do you want? If I’m not needed, just won’t come again. I won’t even pick up your call next time.”
say so–l
“Pay the hospital bill,” she snapped. “Because of you, we’re broke. Every cent we had went into that damned company of yours. My mom was right–you’re cursed. You brought death to your mother, and now you’re dragging down our father too. You ruin everyone around you.” Fury surged up in me. My hand flew before I could stop it. A hard slap landed across her face.
I trembled from anger. Denver pulled me back, trying to calm me, shielding me with his body!!
But I stepped around him and faced her head–on.X
“You brought this on yourself. Everything that has happened is your own doing. Il pay this one bill for the last time. From now on, whether you live or die, it’s none of my concern.”
Although my father regained consciousness, he was diagnosed with cerebral infarction and left completely immobile a speak–a stroke patient who needed round–the–clock care.
Klara stayed behind to look after him.
After paying the fees, I visited my mother’s grave
I knelt before her and whispered the
pain had received their retribution.”
and unable to
ws, “Romina had gone insane, and Dad was paralyzed. The two people who caused me the most
When I got home, I received a text from Winston for the first time in days.
7:13 AM c d
[Your father was forced by Kiara to divorce Romina. He was so upset he had another episode. Now, he’s barely holding on. If you can, come see him one last time.]
I rushed to the hospital
Standing alone outside the room was Winston.8
He looked gaunt afid pale, like someone who hadn’t eaten properly in a very long time.
I stared at him in shock.
“You look awful. Why haven’t you seen a doctor?”
“I’m fine,” he said quietly. “Just tired.”
I didn’t push, only nodded and went into the room.
My father lay under an IV drip, his breathing was shallow. As I entered, his eyes slowly fluttered open. Only then did I realize he was truly old.
A surge of emotion flooded my chest, and all my bitterness melted for a moment into soft, aching sorrow.
