Day Eighty…
"Mom! I've heard from Aunt Hanabi that you haven't eaten anything yet. Here. You should take a bite. Mia will be sad if she finds out that you are starving yourself while watching over her." Ethan lectured Jane as he gave her a lunch box filled with delicious food. It was prepared by Hanabi.
Since it came from Ethan, Jane couldn't refuse him. She obediently sat down on the long bench and started to eat. Ethan watched her with a warm smile.
"Sigh. Only Ethan can convince her to eat. I'm jealous." Hanabi blurted out as she observed the two.
Tatsumi could only nod his head in agreement. "Jane is so fond of this child. To think about it, this young boy has a striking resemblance to Jane. Don't you think so?"
Hanabi paused for a moment, comparing Ethan's facial features to Jane's. "Hmm. I think you are right."
The two were interrupted when Mr. Hiroshi arrived.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Mr. Hiroshi uttered through his gritted teeth when he saw Nathan standing beside Jane.
Tatsumi and Hanabi weren't able to respond as Mr. Hiroshi swiftly strode in Nathan's direction.
"Oops! We are doomed! Our godfather is on a rampage mode," Tatsumi mumbled.
Hanabi could only elbow him, thus stopping him from talking. She even pushed Tatsumi, saying, "Go and stop our clan leader before he creates a scene."
"No way! I'm afraid of him. I'll just call my father!" Tatsumi immediately asked for his father's help to pacify Mr. Hiroshi's anger.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hiroshi reached Nathan's spot, staring at him with his bloodshot eyes.
"Why are you here?" Mr. Hiroshi asked. There was a hint of hostility in his voice.
Before Jane and Nathan could say a word, a little voice was heard. "Grandpa!!!" Ethan cheerfully called his name, jumping off his seat.
Mr. Hiroshi's attention shifted from Nathan to the young boy who was now hugging his waist. "Grandpa, I missed you!"
Mr. Hiroshi's angry expression softened when he met the charming boy's gaze. Ethan was truly happy to see Mr. Hiroshi.
"E-Ethan? What are you doing here?" Mr. Hiroshi's voice became gentle. His anger already dissipated into thin air because of Ethan's presence.
"Visiting you and my Mommy Jane!" Ethan promptly responded. "Gramps, can I stay here with Mommy Jane? I want to explore your country too once Mia recovers."
Mr. Hiroshi's gentle laughter filled the corridor as he playfully tousled Ethan's hair, eliciting a warm smile from the young boy.
"Of course, you can stay here. I can tour you around the city and to the beautiful spots of this country."
Jane and Nathan just watched the two in amusement, feeling relieved. Ethan's diversion tactic worked! It looked like the old man had already forgotten his initial plan of confronting Nathan.
Even Hanabi and Tatsumi were amazed at how Ethan changed Mr. Hiroshi's mood instantly. He totally ignored Nathan's presence. He was only talking to the young child while Jane finished and consumed all the food in the lunch box. On the other hand, Nathan just stayed silent, keeping Jane company.
"Nate, I think it's time for my father to learn the truth. We have to talk to him together," Jane whispered to him, grabbing Nathan's hand.
Nathan nodded in understanding. "I'll follow your lead. I'm just here for you."
Jane smiled faintly. "I was wrong. I should have told him sooner… including my past so that he wouldn't blame you. He vents his anger on the wrong person. I'm sorry, Nate, for my indecisiveness and fear."
"You don't have to apologize to me." Nathan squeezed her hand tenderly.
After mustering her courage, Jane spoke up, staring at her father. "Pa, we need to talk. There is something I want to tell you. Will you listen to me and Nathan?"
Mr. Hiroshi didn't respond right away. He just darted his gaze back and forth between Nathan and Jane. After careful consideration, Mr. Hiroshi nodded in agreement.
"Tatsumi, Hanabi, please take care and watch over Ethan." Mr. Hiroshi commanded them.
"Yes, sir!" Tatsumi responded. Both Hanabi and Tatsumi approached them.
Mr. Hiroshi gestured for Jane and Nathan to follow him to the rooftop of the hospital. He wanted to talk to them privately.
It did not take long before they reached the rooftop.
"For my daughter's sake, I will listen to what you are both going to say." Mr. Hiroshi gave them the cue to speak up. Novel Fire - novelfire.net
With a determined look on her face, Jane tightened her grip on Nathan's hand. Mr. Hiroshi automatically frowned upon seeing their entangled hands.
'Is my daughter still pretending? I thought she wanted revenge against Nathan Sparks. But why… Why do I see love and genuine concern in her eyes whenever she looks at him?'
"Pa, I will be honest with you now. I won't marry Tatsumi. My heart only belongs to Nathan. I was wrong for hiding the truth from you. Because of that, you misunderstood Nate," Jane started.
"Nathan and I were both victims of Vincent's schemes. Vincent is Nathan's half-brother. And his goal is to make him suffer. He wanted revenge because Nathan's father didn't acknowledge him before."
Mr. Hiroshi tried to maintain his cool as he listened to Jane. He believed in his daughter so there was no way she would make a story up.
"Go on," Mr. Hiroshi mumbled, his expression unfathomable.
"Nathan and I had known each other for so long. We were virtual friends. Not being able to meet each other, we lost contact. Vincent stole our identities together with Monica. Monica pretended to be me and approached Nathan while Vincent pretended to be Nathan as he approached me."
"That was the time I got pregnant with Mia." Jane's heart clenched at the mention of Mia's name. Even Mia was stolen from her by Vincent, making her believe that their baby died in her womb.
"But Vincent's evil scheme didn't end there. Several years later, he hired me to kill Monica. That's the driving force for Nathan to take action and target my assassin guild."
"Pa, can you understand now? They manipulated us in order to fight and hate each other. But truth prevails. Nathan and I learned the truth. Monica didn't die. She was alive."
"You don't have reason to hate Nathan, Pa. It was Vincent who made me suffer, not Nathan." Jane continued to defend Nathan in front of her father. There was a moment of silence after Jane finished her words. Nathan and Jane were waiting for Mr. Hiroshi's words.
"Ahem," Mr. Hiroshi cleared his throat as he slowly traced his steps toward them.
Mr. Hiroshi immediately hugged Jane and said, "I'm sorry, Jane. I wasn't there when you needed me. I'm sorry for making things difficult for you and Nathan. I didn't know this truth back then and I just assumed that Nathan was the one to blame."
"Please forgive this fool father of yours. Now, I understand everything." After saying that, Mr. Hiroshi released her from his embrace and he turned to Nathan.
"I'm sorry, Nate. I misjudged you." Mr. Hiroshi admitted his mistake. "Do you really like my daughter, Jane?"
"Yes. I do. And I want to marry her." Nathan replied without a second thought.
Jane: "..."
Mr. Hiroshi: "..."
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter