Episode 10

Uncertain of how to respond in the face of the awkward predicament before him, Daniel remained silent. He had no desire to wound his beloved; how could he possibly approach her, embrace her as though their reunion bore no hint of insult? Daniel resolved not to do so.

After a few seconds of stillness, he finally uttered a few sparse words:

"I think I need to be alone right now. I'll reach out when I've processed this," Daniel fired off, then abruptly ended the call. He cherished Juliana deeply and believed the emotion was mutual. Therefore, he trusted she would comprehend the need for distance, for the time being at least.

Just then, Jose appeared, blurting out unexpectedly:

"Instead of helping me soothe your mother's weeping, here you are staging an even bigger drama. You're so alike," he remarked, his smile edged with derision.

"I can never quite grasp your logic, Dad, just for the record, I'm not acting out—this just hurts, and I don't know any other way to handle it," Daniel replied.

"Understood. On a different note, have you met your wife's grandfather? Did he inquire about your union? What's he like?" Jose asked, his concern seemingly rooted in mere curiosity.

"I haven't the faintest idea who that person is, making it rather difficult to determine if I've encountered him or not," Daniel retorted with a nauseated expression and promptly exited the kitchen to seek out Lucy. She was in the midst of checking Consuelo's blood pressure, finding it alarmingly low. After issuing some directives, the elder was escorted to her room by Dayse.

"Come here, let me take your pressure as well," Lucy offered, her smile warm, but Daniel stood frozen, masking his discomfort. Lucy, who had come from the countryside, initially seemed awkward to him, but now he viewed her differently, with a sense of pride for having her by his side, a realization that had arrived far too late.

As time marched on, those outside the family circle gradually departed, the living room emptied until only Daniel remained by the casket, weeping, with Lucy offering solace. She embraced him, kissed his forehead and confided:

"I know how it feels to lose someone dear. My grandma raised me after my parents died when I was just two. She was everything to me, always striving to make me happy. I was devastated when she passed, it interfered with my schooling. It wasn't until I dreamt of her asking me to cease grieving, as she was at peace with her own parents, that I learned to carry her within my heart instead of mourning her departure."

His heart heavy with Lucy's words, Daniel wrapped his arms around her tightly, weeping silently. At that moment, a well-dressed man leaning on a gold-handled cane and flanked by bodyguards offered a smile and proclaimed:

"I've waited all night for an embrace from this distinguished lady. I wonder if this old gent has enough strength to contend with such a handsome young man, but I'll die trying."

"Grandpa, it's so good to see you," Lucy exclaimed, her voice breaking with emotion as she hugged him tightly. Overwhelmed with indescribable feelings, Lucy thought of the overwhelming prospect of her return home, tasked with fulfilling a promise that wasn't even her own, to face a heart shattered and devoid of hope in love. The unknown future truly was frightening.

Leonard's smile faded as he viewed his granddaughter appearing so vulnerable. Anger towards Daniel flashed in his eyes, but Lucy spoke first:

"I swear I tried, but persisting in this failed marriage is akin to applying hair lotion to an egg, hoping for hair growth. I love you tremendously, and you know this, but it simply wasn't feasible," Lucy whispered, aware of Jose drawing near and desiring to remain unheard.

Recalling his own essence and finding the entire scenario ludicrous, Leonard muttered through clenched teeth:

"Then let's leave…"

"The house is spacious; stay, you're welcome here," Jose interjected with a smile, eyes drifting towards Leonard's bodyguards and the striking young woman accompanying them. Carol found his gaze repulsive, tempted to assault his eyes with her high-heeled sandals.

Jose's attentiveness was unprecedented—spawned by the realization that Leonard was impeccably attired, perhaps a figure of significance. Business was always at the forefront of Jose's mind.

"Your hospitality holds no appeal. I've said my farewell to Isabel. She was a woman ahead of her time, a true source of pride. I am truly sorry for you, young man. Best of luck," Leonard commented, clapping Daniel's shoulder—who returned no look.

Leonard then cornered Lucy, demanding:

"I need the full account of the happenings here; I won't stand by while you're harmed."

"Let's drop it, Grandpa. We'll catch up later. Just make sure to let me know before you head back to the countryside—I'm coming with you," Lucy replied, kissing his cheek.

"I'm deeply sorry, but I'm here to stay. Old age beckons for the proximity of someone to care for me if need be," Leonard stated, prompting a feigned smile from Lucy. How could she possibly forget Daniel while living in the same city, stumbling upon his image in magazines and newspapers? The notion of coping with the news of Daniel's wedding to Juliana seemed unbearably painful.

After this exchange, Leonard signaled to his bodyguards and departed the mansion without bothering with goodbyes. "The only one worth mourning is now gone; the rest is mere residue," he thought, wiping his feet on the mat with an expression of disgust.

Lucy, witnessing her grandfather's actions, could only smile at his temperamental nature, unaware of his vindictive streak.

"Sooner than later, they'll transport her for cremation. Unclasp yourself from there," Jose spoke impatiently.

Daniel held his peace on the matter and approached Lucy. Their hands intertwined as they ascended the stairs—Daniel in a daze, Lucy too overwhelmed with confusion to press him for answers.

Entering one of the mansion's bedrooms, Lucy intended to ask whose room it had been but was met with photographs of Daniel throughout—clearly his pre-marital chamber.

"Do you genuinely love me? Or are you another playing with people's hearts?" Daniel demanded abruptly, leaving Lucy flabbergasted.

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