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?

started squirming in my arms, about to cry, and soon enough,

at them with

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

chimed in

Martin, this was his way of showing love, and accepting it made

Martin didn't mention Victor or Richard. Linda looked upset but kept her

Linda left without staying for dinner. We spent the

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

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

touch the kids' faces.

I looked back. Martin, in his old-fashioned white shirt, stood tall and strong despite his age. This unmoving figure

memory. As an adult, Martin was the only one who showed me

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

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

seen her since she caught Jason

drove me to

the sea breeze gently blowing, carrying a moist, salty scent, ruffling our hair

were on a business trip over

to break

town," she

the beach for a while and

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

must have been really angry that night, but Jason and

need to explain,

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

wiped them away haphazardly, but the tears kept coming as if all her suppressed grievances had suddenly erupted. From her tone,

you're getting married in a few

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

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

know?"

he respects my decision. That's his character, and it's what I admire

dad? He only has

and looked out at the

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

was

doesn't love her and entering a marriage

"Lacey, no matter what, I wish you the best. I hope you

me, the sea breeze

hadn't dried, but her smile was

I will. I don't believe God

me Benjamin's address, hoping I would