Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 214 Smiles on the Face, Tears in the Heart

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?

about to cry, and soon enough, she did. Hunter followed suit-they were always in

them with a loving

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

chimed in

his way of showing love,

to the inheritance, Martin didn't mention Victor or Richard.

left without staying for dinner. We spent the night and took off the

his health.

suggested Martin live with him. But Martin refused, loving the

we left, Martin reached through the car window to touch the kids' faces. Though he smiled, I felt a deep

his old-fashioned white shirt, stood tall and strong despite his age. This unmoving figure brought

was scarce in my memory. As an adult, Martin was the only one who showed

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

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

first time I had seen her since

drove me to the

gently blowing, carrying a

from Jason that you were on a business trip

tried to break the slightly

went out of town," she said

along the beach for a while

After all, they were about to get married, and I didn't want her to have any lingering

know you must have been really

need to

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.

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

you're getting married in a

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

not, or ended up happy, no one could say. I couldn't tell her to stick

know?" I

my decision. That's his character, and it's what

about your dad? He only has you," I

and looked out

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

choice was

and entering a marriage with no future isn't fair to

"Lacey, no matter what, I wish you the

look at me, the sea breeze messing up her

tear stains hadn't dried,

don't believe God will always be so harsh on

Benjamin's address, hoping I would visit