Chapter 97: The Lovers' Stories.
It was late at night, the streets outside humming with the steady sound of cars heading home.
Beauty was at Roy's place. He had only just been discharged from the hospital, and of course, she'd followed him home, making sure he settled in like a patient still recovering from the doctor's strict warnings.
She moved quietly around his room, smoothing out the sheets with care, making the bed neat enough for him to rest. But instead of lying down, Roy sat at the edge of the bed, his eyes fixed on her every move.
"I think I'm just going to lie down and rest," he murmured.
Beauty turned to him. "Alright then. I just want to wash this, and I'll come back. What would you like to eat? Or should I wait until you wake up?" Her tone carried the soft fussiness of someone nursing a stubborn patient.
"I'm not hungry for now," he exhaled slowly.
She frowned. "Why would you say that? The doctor said you need to stick to your meals at the right time." Folding her arms briefly, she let the moment hang before softening her tone. "Let me get you something to eat-like the soup I made this morning, with vegetables."
Before he could protest, she had already turned toward the door, disappearing down the hall to the kitchen.
Roy almost called her back. The words were there, heavy on his tongue, pressing against his chest. But he didn't know how to say them-how to beg her, how to explain. Beauty might have already decided in her heart that they were over. But to Roy, it wasn't over. Not for a second. He wanted every moment, every breath, to prove to her that he had never cheated, that she was still everything to him.
Minutes later, Beauty returned, carrying a tray of steaming hot soup.
"This is the soup I made this morning," she said lightly. "I just warmed the rest, but it's still as delicious as ever." She set the tray down on a small stool and moved it closer to him.
"Okay, you can start drinking. Just take it slowly," she instructed. "I'll be on my way now-I need to quickly get something at the office. Your maids are here. If you need anything, just tell them."
She was already stepping toward the door when Roy stood up abruptly.
"No, Beauty... don't go. Don't do this to me." His voice cracked as he took a step closer, desperation spilling out with every word. "I really, really love you so much."
Beauty froze at the door, her hand resting on the handle. The silence between them was heavy, almost alive, wrapping around the space like smoke. The words he'd just spoken seemed to hang there-raw, trembling, refusing to fade.
She turned slowly, her eyes finding his. There was something in them that made her chest tighten-not just sadness, but a kind of ache that seemed to bleed straight through him.
"Roy..." she began, her voice low but steady, each syllable pulled from somewhere deep. "This stopped being about love a long time ago. Now... it's about trust."
"I know," he cut in quickly, almost stumbling over the words. There was no defense in his tone, only desperation. "I know I messed everything up. But I didn't cheat, Beauty. I swear-on everything I have, on everything I am. Please... don't shut me out like this. I can't breathe without you."
She held his gaze, searching, as though trying to peel away every layer and find the truth hidden inside. For a long, quiet moment, she stood there-unmoving, unreadable. The hurt was still there, buried deep like a wound that refused to close.
Without a word, she stepped back into the room. The soft thud of the door against the frame followed her. She placed the tray down on the bed, fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary, as if grounding herself.
"Eat before it gets cold," she murmured, not meeting his eyes. "We'll talk... someday."
She had barely turned to leave when his hand caught her wrist-not harsh, but firm enough to stop her. In a heartbeat, she was pulled toward him, and then his mouth was on hers.
The kiss wasn't tentative. It was urgent, unspoken, aching. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, her body frozen yet burning all at once. She should have stepped back, should have turned away... but she didn't.
Their lips pressed together-heavy with everything they couldn't say, every moment they had lost, every wound they had left open.
Beauty froze as Roy's lips claimed hers. It wasn't the kind of kiss you could mistake-it was the kind that carried a storm. His hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her against him, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. The tray on the bed rattled faintly as her fingers gripped the sheets instead.
She should have pushed him away. She should have told him to stop. But instead, she melted-slowly, reluctantly-into him, as if every wall she had built was suddenly made of glass. His scent wrapped around her, warm and intoxicating, his heartbeat drumming against her chest.
"Roy..." she whispered against his lips, not as a warning, but as if saying his name grounded her. He didn't answer. His mouth trailed lower, brushing her jaw, her neck-every touch sparking heat under her skin.
She closed her eyes, her hands finding his shoulders, steadying herself as though the room had tilted. The cool evening air outside was nothing compared to the warmth flooding between them. It was dangerous, this closeness... and yet, neither of them moved to break it.
When his forehead rested against hers, their breaths mingled, uneven. For a moment, they simply stood there-caught between wanting to let go and knowing they couldn't.
The tray of food sat forgotten. The room seemed smaller, quieter, as if holding its breath. And then, without another word, Roy lifted her, his eyes locked on hers, carrying her toward the bed.
The door clicked shut behind them.
~~~~~
Beauty wasn't giving Roy that chance on purpose. No-far from it. But deep down, though she would never admit it to him, she missed him. She missed everything about Roy. His voice. His stubbornness. Even the way his presence filled a room.
During the days at the hospital with him, something happened-something that quietly cracked open the wall she'd built.
It was in the afternoon when she came. Beauty had been at the reception, speaking with one of the nurses about Roy's food.
"Will that be okay for now?" the nurse asked.
"Yes, yes... thank you so much, nurse," Beauty replied with a polite nod. She was about to leave when a voice called out from behind her.
"Hello? Miss Beauty?"
She turned, and her heart instantly tensed. Standing there was the young lady she'd seen with Roy that day-the very sight that had fueled her heartbreak. Anger rose inside her like a flash fire, but she swallowed it down.
"Oh... may I help you?" Beauty asked, her voice cool.
The girl shifted slightly, as though nervous. "I'm so sorry. I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes... maybe downstairs?"
Beauty didn't want to. Everything in her told her to walk away. But something-curiosity, maybe-made her agree. She followed the girl down the quiet hospital corridor.
"You said you wanted to see me," Beauty began once they stopped.
"Yes," the young lady said quickly. "I just wanted to explain-what you think about me and Brother Roy... it's not true. We are not dating. He's like an older brother to me. Our families have known each other for a long time. I've always been like a younger sister to him."
Beauty stayed quiet, listening.
"I'm so sorry for causing a misunderstanding between you two," the girl continued earnestly. "I really want you to be healthy again. Brother Roy always speaks of you-all the time."
The words, as reluctant as Beauty was to admit it, softened something in her.
"All right... thank you for the clarification. I appreciate it," Beauty said quietly.
"You're welcome, Miss Beauty." The girl's eyes brightened. "How is Brother Roy doing now? How's his health?"
"He's fine," Beauty replied.
The girl smiled warmly. "I'm sure you're taking good care of him. I'm happy he's in safe hands. Thank you, Miss Beauty... thank you once again. Have a nice day."
And just like that, she was gone-leaving Beauty standing there, the truth now lodged firmly in her heart.
Beauty wanted to let her go, but something in her heart told her to call the young lady back.
"Miss... wait," Beauty said.
The young woman turned and walked back toward her with a polite smile.
"Yes, Miss Beauty? I'm here. Is something wrong?"
Beauty hesitated, her fingers tightening on the strap of her bag. "I just wanted to ask... why were you and Roy in that hotel that night? Why did I find you there?"
The young woman's expression softened, a hint of sadness passing over her features.
"Oh... that," she sighed. "I'm sorry I didn't explain earlier. That night, I had gone out with my study group for dinner. I didn't know there was an ugly plan behind it - they intended to... hurt me." Her voice trembled slightly. "There was no one I could call but Brother Roy. He came to help me and get me out of there."
She lowered her gaze briefly before continuing, "I'm sorry if that caused you pain or misunderstanding. I never meant for that to happen."
Beauty felt her chest tighten, the last threads of suspicion beginning to loosen.
"It's... fine," she said quietly. "Thank you for telling me the truth."
~~~~~
Back to the present, at night.
Scott was still amazed by the reality that he was now a father. Soon, he would see his child-his own flesh and blood. No, not soon-the child already existed, growing within Flora. In nine months, he'd finally hold them.
It all felt like a dream he never thought he'd live. All his life, he had been a stiff, ruthless man. People often said he was kind to women, and while that was true, there had always been a wall around him. But the moment he laid eyes on Flora that first day, something in him shifted.
Now he had a family-a complete family.
A surge of happiness coursed through him, so intense it almost suffocated him. His heart pounded with gladness, overflowing until it felt too much, almost unbearable in its beauty.
He sat there, rubbing Flora's belly gently. She was asleep in his arms, her breathing steady, her smile faint but warm. That smile pulled him in, made him want to smile with her.
He was grateful-grateful for her, for the life they were building, for the love that had rooted itself deep in him.
This was the kind of love he would one day tell their children about-a love worth remembering.
~~~~~
The next day, early in the morning, the air was cold-biting cold. Frost clung to the edges of the windows, and a pale mist curled lazily along the streets. Today was the day Aria would bring Duncan to meet the Silver family. Grandfather had already decided: Duncan should come home, sit before the family, and make his intentions toward Aria clear.
After baby Jedha's sudden appearance and the truth that followed, Duncan had finally confessed his love to her. Like a young rose touched by the sun for the first time, she hadn't expected it-yet she had bloomed instantly, joyfully saying yes.
A sleek silver car pulled to a stop in front of the Silver mansion, its polished surface gleaming in the dim morning light. The gates opened, and the vehicle rolled silently into the garage. Duncan stepped out first, his black coat catching the chill of the air. He walked around to the other side and opened the door with quiet elegance.
Aria stepped out gracefully, her heels clicking lightly against the concrete. Her short gown-just brushing her knees-moved with the morning breeze. The gesture of him opening her door, especially here at her family's home, made her feel cherished. Without a word, he took her hand, their fingers locking together naturally, and they walked toward the waiting house.
Inside, the family was already assembled. Grandfather, Grandmother, and Aria's parents sat in quiet expectation. Duncan bowed slightly in greeting before taking his seat.
"Welcome, my grandson," Grandfather said warmly once the formalities were done. "You can sit."
His voice carried authority, but also a deep familiarity. "I will not sit here today and question you endlessly, because you are someone we know very well. Your grandfather is a man I am familiar with and respect. But..." He paused, eyes narrowing just slightly. "I want you to declare your intentions with my granddaughter. What exactly do you want with her?"
Duncan straightened slightly in his seat, his voice calm but firm.
"Grandfather," he began, his gaze sweeping respectfully over the family before settling on Aria, "thank you for allowing me this moment. Aria is someone I met dearly in recent months. I speak to you today with sincerity and humility. I care for her deeply-no, more than that-I love her. I want our relationship to grow beyond where it is now. I want to marry her."
The words fell into the room like a sudden drop of warm rain-unexpected, yet stirring something deep.
Aria's eyes widened. Marriage? She had known Duncan cared, but hearing it laid bare in front of her family stole her breath. Her cheeks burned, and a soft, shy smile tugged at her lips.
Her mother, caught completely off guard, inhaled sharply and choked on the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
~~~~~
After spending a few more minutes chatting with the family, Duncan finally rose to leave. Aria walked him to the door, the two exchanging a quiet smile before he stepped outside.
Once she returned indoors, her own family called her aside. They spoke gently but firmly-offering advice on the dos and don'ts of courtship, reminding her to tread carefully, and to guard her heart. They also touched on the matter of marriage preparations, making it clear that when the time was right, the news would be disclosed formally between the two families.
The rest of the afternoon passed in warmth as Aria sat with her mother, sharing laughter and light conversation. But later, a call from her brother changed the rhythm of her day-Scott's voice brimmed with excitement as he told her the news: Flora, her sister–in–law was pregnant.
Aria's heart soared. She was overjoyed-so much so that she could barely sit still. She decided she would go to Scott's place immediately, but she wouldn't tell anyone about the pregnancy just yet. It would be their little surprise.
Humming softly, she slipped into one of her favorite dresses, her smile refusing to fade as she imagined Flora's glowing face.