Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

They came to see Martin, which was no surprise. I had never seen them visit before, so I felt surprised. However, my presence didn't shock them.

I stepped aside, and they walked in with gifts.

Victor walked up to Martin and said, "Dad."

Martin, who had been happily chatting, suddenly lost his smile and responded coldly.

Linda didn't greet him either, probably knowing she wasn't welcome, just like I knew they didn't like me.

They showed up after mealtime, so they probably didn't plan to stay for dinner.

When Martin invited everyone to the living room on the second floor, the mood got heavy.

"If I hadn't called you, would you have never planned to see me again?" Martin asked Victor directly.

Victor stayed silent. No matter how proud he usually was, he always held back in front of Martin.

We all sat on the sofa while Martin sat alone in a rattan chair facing us.

"I'm very proud that my descendants are all so capable now. It brings me great honor. Some things come with neither birth nor death. So, while you're all here, I want to make some arrangements in advance."

I got what Martin was doing: he gathered us to make his final arrangements, worried he might not get another chance or that we might argue after he's gone.

My heart ached with sadness.

I said, "Grandpa, it's too early to talk about this. You'll live a long life."

Hearing this, Martin smiled at me.

"Emily, you always know how to make me happy. Who lives a long life? That would make me a monster."

Martin's tone was joking, but I couldn't bring myself to smile. Except for Martin, we all had serious looks on our faces.

"I don't think any of you care about the inheritance, so I plan to donate all my assets to impoverished areas, to those who need it more."

After a few more words, Martin seemed exhausted and took a long break. In the quiet living room, his wheezy breaths sounded like a bellows.

I realized his health had gotten a lot worse.

Ethan had told me Martin had at most two years to live, and now it had been exactly two years. The thought scared me.

God was so cruel. Martin was such a good, kind person. Why did he have to suffer like this?

Harper started squirming in my arms, about to cry, and soon enough, she did. Hunter followed suit-they were always in sync.

Martin looked at them with a loving smile.

"My two little ones have opinions. How about I set up a growth fund for each of them, and one for Jason's future child as well? The rest will be donated." Raising two kids wasn't a big deal for Ethan and me now. I wanted to say it wasn't necessary, but Ethan jumped in with a quick, "Thanks, Grandpa."

Jason chimed in too, "Thanks, Grandpa."

I got it. For Martin, this was his way of showing love, and accepting it made him happy.

When it came to the inheritance, Martin didn't mention Victor or Richard. Linda looked upset but kept her mouth shut.

Victor and Linda left without staying for dinner. We spent the night and took off the next day.

I suggested bringing Martin to Starlight City because of his health. But he was stubborn, preferring his freedom in the countryside.

Ethan later told me he had also suggested Martin live with him. But Martin refused, loving the peaceful countryside life. With not much time left, we should let him be happy.

As we left, Martin reached through the car window to touch the kids' faces. Though he smiled, I felt a deep sadness, and my nose tingled.

As the car started, I looked back. Martin, in his old-fashioned white shirt, stood tall and strong despite his age. This unmoving figure brought tears to my eyes.

Family love was scarce in my memory. As an adult, Martin was the only one who showed me elder love. Aurora was kind too, but her love was more about guidance.

I wished we could spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year with Martin. By then, the kids would be running around, laughing, with Martin watching lovingly, telling them to slow down. Just thinking about it warmed my heart. A few days later, Lacey showed up at my office.

She wore a beige dress instead of her usual professional attire, with her slightly curly hair down, revealing long and fair legs.

This was the first time I had seen her since she caught Jason losing control after drinking that night.

She drove me to the beach.

We strolled along the shore, the sea breeze gently blowing, carrying a moist, salty scent, ruffling our hair and skirts.

"I heard from Jason that you were on a business trip over the weekend?"

I tried to break the slightly awkward silence.

"Yeah, I went out of town," she said with a smile.

We walked along the beach for a while and then sat down on the sand.

I thought about it and decided I should explain it to her. After all, they were about to get married, and I didn't want her to have any lingering doubts.

"Lacey, I know you must have been really angry that night, but Jason and I..."

"You don't need to explain, I know."

Lacey ran her fingers through her hair, pushing it back. She gazed out at the sea and said softly, "I used to resent you. When you left, I felt relieved, thinking Jason would forget you. I used to be so proud, but with Jason, I've done things I never thought I would. He's like a stubborn rock. I'm tired and ready to give up. I've given it my all, but I just can't reach him."

Hearing the slight change in her voice, I looked over and saw tears silently streaming down her face. She wiped them away haphazardly, but the tears kept coming as if all her suppressed grievances had suddenly erupted. From her tone, I heard deep despair.

"But you're getting married in a few days."

Lacey shook her head. "Even though I want to be with him, this isn't the kind of marriage I want. I don't want to force him, and I don't want to force myself. I've already bought a ticket abroad for tomorrow."

I didn't know what to say. Whether they got married or not, or ended up happy, no one could say. I couldn't tell her to stick it out or give up.

"Does Jason know?" I asked.

Lacey nodded. "I've already talked to him. Of course, he respects my decision. That's his character, and it's what I admire about him."

"But what about your dad? He only has you," I said.

Lacey wiped away her tears and looked out at the endless sea, smiling.

"He is not alone; he's got a bunch of kids. He turned down a lot of promotions and chose to teach in a rural area six months ago. Everyone has their own choices, and I believe he has his reasons as long as he's happy. Leaving makes me feel guilty; I've let him down after all these years of raising me. But it's not all bad. It's not like I'm never coming back. Maybe one day I'll come to terms with everything, and when I see him again, it won't hurt anymore. Or maybe I'll find my true love and come back."

Maybe Lacey's choice was the right one.

I thought, 'After all, marrying someone who doesn't love her and entering a marriage with no future isn't fair to her.'

I nodded understandingly. "Lacey, no matter what, I wish you the best. I hope you find your happiness and joy."

Lacey turned to look at me, the sea breeze messing up her hair.

Her tear stains hadn't dried, but her smile was genuine.

"Maybe I will. I don't believe God will always be so harsh on me."

Lacey gave me Benjamin's address, hoping I would visit him when I had time.

The next day, Jason and I went to the airport to see her off.

Lacey was in a Bohemian dress and a sunhat, smiling brightly like she was going on vacation. She didn't look sad at all. The professional sharpness was gone, replaced by a playful and gentle look in her yellow dress.

After hugging us, she quickly walked to the boarding gate, waving goodbye with a smile. But I knew her sadness and tears were still there, hidden deep inside. I wouldn't forget how heartbroken she was yesterday. I had seen her cry twice before, both times after drinking. She usually seemed brave and generous. But yesterday was the first time I saw her cry so sadly while sober.

I understood why she used a smile to cover her sadness. Since it was an amicable leave, there was no need for more tears. She probably wanted to leave him with a beautiful and sunny image and didn't want him to feel guilty about her leaving in despair.

I believed that someone would appreciate her sensitivity and gentleness someday.

A few days later, on what was supposed to be Jason and Lacey's wedding day, it was also Nora's birthday. She invited us to the Blue Ocean Bar for her party.

After work, Ethan called to say Frank was treating us. I figured we were in for a gathering. But he said he had some things to finish up, so I went ahead with Dakota.

Walking into the Blue Ocean Bar, Nora and Frank greeted us. They led us to a booth, and I saw Jason was already there.

He smiled at us and said, "Looks like I'm the most eager one."

If Jason's wedding hadn't been called off, tonight would have been his night.

After we sat down, a few of Nora's friends arrived one after another, with Ethan being the last.

Once everyone was there, the birthday girl Nora suddenly stood up, cleared her throat, and shyly glanced at Frank.

"Let me introduce you all to my boyfriend, Frank Wilson, a not-so-remarkable name."

Hearing this, I laughed. Ethan and Jason seemed to be holding back their laughter too.

Frank looked quite embarrassed and quickly grabbed a bottle to pour drinks for everyone.

When he got to Jason, Jason said he wasn't drinking, which Frank didn't like.

"Jason, even the ladies are drinking. Why aren't you? Come on, let me pour you some."

Jason turned his glass upside down on the table and said calmly, "I'm not feeling well and don't want to drink. Give me a break."

Although Frank wasn't satisfied with his explanation, he didn't force him.

"Not feeling well and don't want to drink? If your wedding had gone as planned today, I bet you'd be drinking. You wouldn't be able to escape as the main character." He really knew how to hit a sore spot.

After he said that, the room fell silent. Frank probably realized he had said something wrong and awkwardly smiled.

"Fine, don't drink if you don't want to. Drink whatever you like. The most important thing is to have fun."

Midway through, I went to the restroom, and Dakota came with me.

"Faris, come on, have another drink!"

I turned my head at the sound and saw Faris sitting at a nearby booth.