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, she did. Hunter followed suit-they

them

child as well? The rest will be donated." Raising two

in too, "Thanks,

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

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

staying for dinner. We spent the night and took off the next

Starlight City because of his health. But he was stubborn,

Martin live with him. But Martin refused, loving the peaceful countryside life. With not much time

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

looked back. Martin, in his old-fashioned white shirt, stood tall and

was scarce in my memory. As an adult, Martin was the only one who showed me elder love. Aurora was kind too,

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

attire, with her slightly curly hair down, revealing

the first time I had seen her since she caught Jason losing

me to

shore, the sea breeze gently blowing, carrying a moist, salty scent,

Jason that you were on a

tried to break the

I went out of town," she said with

beach for a while and then sat

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

I know you must have been really angry that night,

don't need to explain,

I used to be so proud, but with Jason, I've done things I never

silently streaming down her face. She wiped them away haphazardly, but the tears kept coming

married in a

"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

happy, no one could say. I couldn't tell

Jason know?" I

"I've already talked to him. Of course, he respects my decision. That's his

about your dad? He only has you,"

wiped away her tears and looked out

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

was the

marrying someone who doesn't love her and entering a

I wish you the best. I hope you find your

me, the sea breeze messing up her

stains hadn't dried, but her

I don't believe God will always

me Benjamin's address, hoping I would visit him when I had