Chapter 295
Alex and Lyra stepped into a quaint café tucked behind an unassuming flower shop, distant from the bustling street.
The air was fragrant with roses and coffee beans, peaceful yet oddly charged. Lyra cast a skeptical glance around. “Alex, seriously, why are we here p>
Alex smirked as he flipped open the menu. “Trust me, Lyra. If my hunch is right, we’re in for quite the spectacle p>
She raised a teasing eyebrow. “If you’re paying, this might actually qualify as a date p>
He chuckled dryly. “Order whatever you want. Though, I’m still puzzled by your eagerness to spend money when you spend your days piling it up p>
Lyra grinned playfully. “Money’s nice, but it doesn’t beat watching you squirm when the check arrives p>
They exchanged laughter, enjoying the brief respite until Lyra suddenly leaned forward, eyes wide. “Wait-isn’t that David p>
Their corner seat shielded them from view, but offered a perfect line of sight.
David strode in, scanning the small café urgently until his gaze landed on an older woman carefully arranging flowers.
He approached slowly, each step heavy with hesitation.
The woman glanced up, startled. “Can I help—” Her voice faltered abruptly as recognition flashed in her eyes.
For an excruciating moment, silence hung thick between them.
David finally spoke, his voice edged with tension. “Why didn’t you ever tell me p>
“Tell you what, David?” Her tone quivered defensively.
“Dammit, Priscilla, enough with the lies!” His voice rose sharply, filled with years of pent-up frustration.
She turned away, trembling. “I don’t know what you mean p>
David grasped her wrist urgently. “Brian! He’s mine, isn’t he? Why keep this from me p>
Priscilla’s eyes flashed angrily, tears brimming.
“How many times did I warn you? Rose was dangerous—she killed our first child, and you never believed me! I had to save my second son from that monster p>
David’s face paled as realization crashed over him, memories he once dismissed now hauntingly clear.
“God, Priscilla,” he whispered, shaken. “You warned me decades ago, and I-I didn’t listen. I thought you were just jealous, throwing a tantrum. But you were right. Rose is dangerous p>
“Still, what good is it now? It’s already too late, David. Far too late. Brian grew up without a father p>
Priscilla’s tears flowed freely now, raw with pain.
“I’m sorry p>
“It’s not fair. Brian worshipped you, David. You were everything to him. He even took a bullet for you, for God’s sake.” Her voice cracked bitterly.
“Now, Brian is my everything too.” David swore.
“Fine. He’s yours now. He’s grown-do whatever you wish p>
She pulled away sharply, but David clutched her hand tighter. “Priscilla, please. Come back with me p>
She shook her head fiercely. “I will never set foot anywhere near Rose again. Never p>
“I’ve divorced her,” David admitted quietly, desperation softening his voice. “It’s over between us p>
Priscilla regarded him skeptically, bitterness etched deep into her face.
“Another divorce, David? And who’s the lucky number four p>
“No one,” he said earnestly. “It’s only you, from here to the end p>
Priscilla stared at him, sorrowful yet resolute. “No, David. The wounds you
inflicted haven’t healed, even after all these decades p>
“I’m begging you, Priscilla,” David pleaded softly. “Please forgive me p>
She paused, swallowing back pain.
“For Brian’s sake, I’ll forgive you but mark my words, David: a woman might forgive, but she’ll never forget p>
She turned away, leaving David standing alone, regret weighing heavily on his shoulders as Alex and Lyra watched silently from their hidden corner.
Lyra leaned close to Alex, her voice sharp yet hushed.
“Priscilla’s absolutely right. How could she ever forget what that jerk David did? He left her alone, suffering, raising Brian on her own. She shouldn’t forgive that selfish fool p>
Alex sighed gently. “But David apologized. Can’t she find it in her heart to forgive him-for Brian’s sake at least p>
Lyra shot him a fierce glance, eyes blazing.
“Forgive? After the scars he left on her heart? No woman can simply brush away pain like that. David’s nothing but a selfish bastard p>
Across from them, Priscilla stepped decisively away from David, her back rigid with barely-contained hurt.
David inhaled deeply, the weight of guilt crushing his shoulders.
He hesitated, searching his soul until, with reluctant resolve, he called out desperately,
“Priscilla! Half of everything I own-all my money, my properties-it’s all yours. Can you please find it in your heart to forgive me? To move past my mistakes p>
Priscilla froze mid-step, emotions flickering across her face. Slowly, deliberately, she turned, eyeing David thoughtfully.
“The doctor said holding onto bitterness could destroy my health. Maybe it’s time I learned how to let go. To forgive and forget” Her eyes narrowed, studying him closely.
“What do you
think p>
“That’s fair,” David murmured, stepping forward cautiously and pulling her into a tentative, heartfelt embrace.
Lyra, watching from afar, brushed tears from her eyes.
“David truly is a gentleman. Priscilla’s doing the right thing-Brian needs his father p>
Alex raised a skeptical eyebrow. “And you’re sure this isn’t about the money p>
Lyra snapped around, her expression turning stormy.
“How dare you, Alex! Do you
honestly think we women only care
about money? Our hearts ache fort
.n
our children. We’ll endure anything-even breaking our own hearts-to keep our families whole. We sacrifice everything, even our príde, to ensure harmony p>
Alex almost responded with a snarky comment about money again, but wisely chose silence.
He swallowed hard, nodding thoughtfully. “You’re right. She’s strong p>
Some secrets, Alex decided, were best kept locked away, especially if one wanted peace and a longer life.
“Hey, Alex,” Lyra suddenly said, squinting into the distance. “Isn’t that Luther and Charles Kingston p>
“Charles?” Alex’s brow furrowed sharply as he turned.
Luther stormed up to David and Priscilla, eyes blazing with suspicion. “Dad, what
the hell are you doing? Cheating on mom now p>
David’s face twisted bitterly at Luther’s accusation, a son he’d once loved until
painful truths severed their bond.
“Why are you even here, Luther p>
“My best friend, Charles Kingston, and I are starting a business,” Luther demanded arrogantly.
“You promised me a hundred million to start up. Now deliver on your promise p>
David shook his head irritably. “This isn’t the time, Luther. We’ll talk later p>
But Luther’s impatience flared into rage. He shoved past David and roughly confronted Priscilla.
“Who do you think you are, clinging to my father? He’s married! Stay away from him, you old bitch, or I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget p>
His brutal shove sent Priscilla sprawling painfully to the ground, gasping from the shock and pain of the attack.
And David, with all his pent-up anger, suddenly slapped Luther-for the first time.