Matthew, spotting his son, asked: "Don't you want to bid Anna farewell? You two had such fun together, I bet you can't bear to see her go, right?"
To his surprise, Charlie shook his head: "No, Dad, I don't want to say goodbye to that liar." The boy lowered his head, his voice steady: "She said she would stay here with Paul and me, but then she just left without a word.
She really is a liar!"
The boy slowly walked back to his room.
Flora watched her son's retreating figure, unable to hold back a sigh: "He must be really upset."
"We can't do anything about it.
She's their child after all, we can't force her to stay.
I know you worry about our son being upset, but don't worry, our boy is strong." And, if the children truly cherish this hard-earned relationship, they can always reconnect when they grow up.
"You don't seem worried about him at all."
"What else can we do?
If it were Paul or our boy staying at someone else's home, I'd certainly rush to bring them back too, I wouldn't let them stay there for so long."
Such was the universal concern of parents.
Matthew understood it, and of course, so did Flora.
She just favored her son a little more, due to her motherly instincts.
Back in his room, Charlie clutched his pillow tightly, burying his face in it, sobbing quietly.
She had promised to stay together, to learn swimming together, to learn new things together, but now she had left, not even bothering to say goodbye.
"Leave then! Don't dare turn back! You fraudster!"
"But, Flora." Matthew suddenly addressed his wife: "there's something I meant to bring up with you several times but kept forgetting. I want to change our children's last names to mine. What do you think?"
"Why, of course. It's only proper that they take your last name after we're married, and their birth certificates should reflect that too." Flora agreed, nodding. Previously, the children's birth certificates had been left blank in the father's name field. Now that she was back with Matthew, it was only fitting to change it. The hectic pace of recent events had caused her to forget.
Relieved, Matthew smiled and nodded: "I'm glad you agree. I was worried you might object, especially considering how I didn't fulfill my responsibilities as a father before, not being there for the kids during their early years."
Just then, a man burst in front of Flora and Matthew, exclaiming: "Boss, there's a huge problem!"
"What is it?" Matthew furrowed his brow: "Calm down, then tell me!"
"I can't calm down, boss. That guy, he overdosed on sleeping pills, he's unconscious!" The newcomer was frantic, speaking rapidly. Flora recognized the 'guy' as the one who had betrayed Matthew and supplied information to Selena.
Matthew's frown deepened. He told Flora: "Wait here for me, I need to check on the situation. This fool, causing trouble right before our wedding." Despite the guy's past wrongdoings, he was, after all, a comrade, and as Flora's father said, he never really made any major mistakes except for that time at the old tomb. Hence, Matthew decided to temporarily let it go. It was unexpected that the guy would choose death this way.
As Matthew left, someone tugged at Flora's dress and whispered that her mother was waiting for her on the second floor. A little suspicious, she still nodded and went upstairs, knocking on her mother's door.
Her mother, already dressed and made up meticulously for the wedding, immediately pulled her in upon seeing her at the door and closed it.
"Mother, something big has happened downstairs, I..."
"Hush." Her mother put a finger to her lips, indicating her to be silent: "Look who's here."
"Miss." a soft voice called. Flora froze, then looked in the direction of the voice: "Emma! I thought you wouldn't make it in time!"
"I just arrived." Emma smiled: "Your mother told me you hadn't told that uncle about the baby, so I didn't dare show myself. Come over here... I brought the baby..." Of course, the baby had to be part of the parents' wedding, for the event to be truly complete. Flora was taken aback that they'd brought her baby.
Over the past few months, the baby no longer needed to be kept in an incubator. Her facial features were well-defined and beautiful, resembling her siblings. Her soft skin was irresistible to touch.
"Your Aunt Eirlys told me the baby is very healthy now, she doesn't need the incubator anymore, she can be raised just like any other baby." her mother said leisurely, sipping her tea and smiling.
Flora carefully cradled the diaper-swathed baby in her arms. Seemingly sensing her mother's warmth, the baby opened her eyes wide and grinned. Flora cooed at her tiny daughter: "I'm sorry... We will never be apart again..."
"Ahem, Flora." her mother interrupted: "how are you planning to break the news to my son-in-law? Don't scare him to death on his wedding day!" Her mother was now the epitome of a mother-in-law who grows fonder of her son-in-law the more she sees him, favoring him even over her own daughter.
"I also think you can't keep this from him forever." Emma added: "He's the baby's father after all. It was understandable not to say anything when the baby was still weak, but now that she's healthy... her father should know about his daughter."
Flora had missed several opportune moments to tell Matthew about this, so she hesitated now: "I'm not sure... I haven't thought it through..." But at her mother's stern look, she assured: "Don't worry, mother. I will find the right moment to tell the truth to your son-in-law." Indeed, she had to, but she also needed to find the right time and place. She certainly couldn't just suddenly present him the baby and say: "This is our child."
Matthew was deeply troubled by his comrade's actions. He stood silently by himself for an hour, oblivious to the presence of others around him. Flora sighed, prodded his back and asked: "Matthew... why are you standing alone here? How's he doing?"
Matthew shook his head, looking quite drained: "Thanks to Andrey's team, he's temporarily out of danger. But... I don't know how to deal with this situation... He betrayed us, trying to use death to atone for his mistakes. I won't let him take the easy way out." Death is the end; to atone, he must live.
But Flora interpreted differently: "You don't wish for his death... do you? He is your brother..." She hinted that if Ethelbert, an adversary, found mercy in his heart multiple times, then how could he wish ill for a sibling who had stood by his side through thick and thin.
"You still have a soft spot for him, using such words... just to deceive yourself.
You understand better than anyone that his mistake was a moment of folly... You don't want him to die, I am certain."
"That's not true." Matthew immediately refuted: "I only want him to live and face the consequences, you're overthinking!"
"You're being dishonest, deceiving yourself and others!" Flora grasped his hand: "With me, you don't need to keep up a facade or pretend to be stronger than you are.
You just need to be yourself, with all your emotions and the vulnerability of a normal human being.
I love you because you are you, not the strong shell you've built around yourself."
"There's one more person who wants to meet you." She smiled faintly.
"Not meeting." It seemed Matthew knew exactly who she referred to, he shook his head: "Only when he apologizes to me, will I see him.
Do you think it's easy to meet your husband?"
"Oh, but you haven't had to be my husband yet." Flora laughed heartily.
The wedding hadn't been organized yet, and this man had already accepted the role of her husband, a bit too early perhaps.
"Sooner or later, you'll be my wife anyway.
I just like calling you that... wife... wife... my dear wife..." Matthew playfully teased his wife.
Deep down, he had long considered Flora as his only wife, so he never felt awkward calling her that. In fact, he took great pleasure in seeing her blush from his teasing.
Flora felt the conversation was straying far from the topic, so she brought it back: "What did he do wrong? What did he do to offend you? How come you guys, all over thirty, are still acting like bickering children?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Who's acting like a child?" Matthew looked stern, then remembered Flora was still unaware of the whole story, he then conceded and shared: "He was your father's spy, planted by my side.
How could I possibly forgive him easily?
Given that he hasn't done anything too severe, an apology from him will suffice."
Matthew was indeed a persistent adversary, but not unreasonable or devoid of morals.
He could discern between friends and foes.
Misjudgments were usually due to blurred rationality caused by emotional interference.
Just like the times he had doubted Flora.
He had paid heavily for his past mistakes..
After some thought, he continued: "He doesn't need to apologize... If he agrees to help our son in the future, I'll reluctantly forgive him." He had only one prodigal son, Charlie, who was already destined to be his sole heir. Naturally, he had to help the boy establish influence and pave the path right from now.
Flora eyed him suspiciously: "You sure know how to play your cards! Always finding a way to justify things!"
"You dare to talk about your husband like that?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Flora pouted: "I even say that you're cunning and sly.
You're a cold, ruthless, cunning, sly person, devoid of empathy... But these were all rumors I heard before meeting you.
Only later did I find out that you're the gentlest and most affectionate man in the world."
Just then, Matthew's phone in his pocket buzzed.
He pulled it out, looked at the number flashing on the screen, and smirked: "How's everything going?"
Unknown what was spoken from the other side, but Matthew's face brightened even more.
He hurriedly said: "Okay, bring it here." His voice laced with anticipation.
Soon after, two people carrying a large suitcase appeared before Matthew and Flora.
They swiftly opened the case, revealing a stunningly beautiful white wedding dress, embellished with numerous pearls.
Matthew gazed at the dress, seemingly very pleased, even more so by seeing the radiance on Flora's face.
"Do you like it?" He extended his hand, gently touching the soft cascading fabric of the dress: "I promised you, I would turn you into the most dazzling and beautiful bride." The previous dress he had chosen was a unique piece, meticulously designed and adorned with crystals on every flower, all by a renowned designer.
But ultimately, he chose this dress to present to Flora, due to its hidden meaning, and of course, because it was incredibly beautiful.
"This is the wedding dress you were talking about? It's finished?" Flora couldn't believe her eyes.
She was almost overwhelmed by the beauty and grandeur of the dress in front of her.
Just by looking at it, she could imagine herself wearing it, walking down the aisle amidst the melodious wedding music, alongside the man she deeply loved.