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

at them

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

chimed in too,

got it. For Martin, this was his way of showing love, and accepting it

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

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

his health. But he was stubborn, preferring his freedom

loving the peaceful countryside life. With not much time left, we should

the kids' faces. Though he smiled, I felt a deep

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

As an adult, Martin was the only one who showed me elder love. Aurora was kind too, but her love

kids would be running around, laughing, with Martin watching lovingly, telling them to slow down. Just thinking about it warmed my heart.

usual professional attire,

the first time I had seen her since she caught

drove me to the

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

heard from Jason that you were on a business trip

to break

went out of town," she said with

a while and then sat down on the

should explain it to her. After all, they were about to get married, and I didn't want

must have been really angry that

don't need to explain,

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

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

you're getting married

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

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

know?"

him. Of course, he respects my decision. That's his character, and

He only has

wiped away her tears and looked

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

choice was the

thought, 'After all, marrying someone who doesn't love her and entering a marriage

what, I wish you the best. I hope you find

turned to look at me, the sea breeze messing

hadn't dried, but her smile was

God will always be so

I would