Is this destiny?

Colin, Jason, and Marshall looked at Ron and Zula and smiled. They are happy to see that Ron came out of the hell Julia created for him, and they hope that one day they will also be able to find someone because at this point, they are still damaged. Ron told them that unless they put themselves out there, and find a partner, they will be stuck with only bad memories, and that is not a way to heal. Colin, Jason, and Marshall understand Ron's message, and they all heard Ron's story about Zula helping him create good experiences which overwrote what Julia did, but that is easier said than done.

The three of them are grateful for Ron who gave them a chance to get back at Julia, and to get a good education and jobs which are waiting for them. But they are most grateful to Ron for enabling them to find each other. Before Ron gathered them in the warehouse on the outskirts of Springfield, Colin, Jason, and Marshall suffered in silence on their own, ashamed of what Julia did to them. But now it's four of them. They shared the same horrid stories and revenge, and that created an unbreakable bond between them. A bond that will last a lifetime.

Sarah and Aiden got their turn to congratulate Ron and Zula.

Ron looked at Sarah and Aiden with sadness in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Sarah asked.

"Now that we reached this point, it's difficult to let go and proceed on our own." Ron admitted.

Sarah made a face. A second later, she reached and pinched Ron's cheeks. "What are you saying? What letting go? What on your own? Do you hear yourself? What does that even mean?"

Ron squirmed out of Sarah's cheek-pinching attack and pouted. "Now I'm an adult, and engaged, with a job and a home… I need to be responsible and do the right thing and I can't stay with you guys."

Aiden chuckled and hugged Sarah, to prevent her from pinching Ron again. Or maybe she would smack him this time. "Ron. You are an adult, and engaged, with a job and the house, but the Cliffside Villa will always be your home. You are a director at the White corp. and most of your work will be done either remotely or from Los Angeles. Unless you have a very good reason to move out, we expect that you will stay in your current apartment whenever you are in Los Angeles."

Ron's eyes widened and his face broke into a smile. It's not that he wants to leave, but he felt that he would be leeching off from Sarah and Aiden. They have so many kids to care about, and technically, he is not a kid anymore.

Sarah nodded in agreement with Aiden and added: "And even if you move out, we will always have space for you. This is not you replacing what you have with new, this is only adding things. And we need our general, you are not dismissed."

Aiden remembered one more point: "You are more than welcome to stay with us, but you are a grownup so if you want to leave, we will not hold you. However, Zula is still a minor, and going to school. She can't leave. Did you plan to move out and leave her behind?"

Ron smiled when Zula hugged him. They spoke about this, and Zula threw a fit when he mentioned moving out. She understands Ron's points, but she does not want to leave. She told him that if he feels guilty, he can give to Sarah and Aiden a portion of his salary. It would be similar to paying rent and food anywhere else.

Ron was happy to hear confirmation that he can stay. "Sarah, Aiden… For me, the two of you are parents whom I lost a long time ago. You gave me a family and a place I can call home. Thank you."

The four of them ended up in a group hug.

Mr. Heine observed the scene from the side. He could not hear what they are talking about, but he can see their warm gazes and smiles, and he knew that the mood is good.

Part of him was jealous. Jealous about him not being there. He would give Ron fatherly advice and ask when the wedding will be and when can he expect a grandchild. He wondered, if his wife didn't pass, would that be him and Elaine instead of Sarah and Aiden? He shook his head dejectedly. There is no point in thinking about possibilities. He had his chances and he blew them. When Elaine died, both he and Ron were hurting, but instead of sticking together, he buried himself in work while showing Ron in the hands of Julia. At that time, he saw Julia as Ron's replacement for Elaine, but he didn't realize that every time he left to work, he left Ron in hell. And to make things worse, whenever Ron tried to tell him about it, he would dismiss him because it was easier to believe that Ron is acting out, a rebellious teenager, than to believe that he married a despicable woman. And now… it's too late.

Mr. Heine sighed and took another longing look at Ron before turning and walking out.

Sarah saw with Eve-vision that Mr. Heine walked out of the villa. She is keeping an eye on him, for personal reasons.

"Ron, we are glad that you think of us as parents, but I hope that you didn't forget that you have a father." Sarah saw that Ron frowned and added: "I know that you have a grudge against him. He was wrong, and you were right, and because of that, he lost everything. But he is still your father."

"What are you trying to say?" Ron asked cautiously.

Aiden responded: "You don't need to pretend like all is well but try to forgive him. Removing him completely from your life will not be beneficial for anyone. And you will probably regret it later, when it's too late. Don't allow yourself to have regrets about missed opportunities."

Sarah nodded in agreement and added: "We all have disputes with our parents. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but in the end, we are still a family and we give each other second chances. Now he knows the truth, and you should give him a chance to do something about it."

Ron pressed his lips into a line. "I will think about it…" He took Zula's hand in his and walked out in the garden.

"You don't want to give your father a chance?" Zula asked Ron when they walked out.

"You think that I should?" He responded with a question.

Zula knows that this is a sensitive topic for Ron, but she agrees with Sarah and Aiden. Zula would give anything if her real parents are alive and if they could be here to see her shining on that stage from happiness, and how well she is doing in school, and she would tell them how wonderful Ron is, and about all her friends, but Zula can't do that because for her, it's too late. However, for Ron is different. His father is right there, and the only thing Ron needs to do is to crack the door open for the possibility of mending their relationship.

"I think that you are in a position where you are holding all the cards. He can't harm you. You have nothing to lose, and you might gain something."

Ron shook his head, rejecting the idea. "He will never be a father to me. I tried to talk to him over and over again, and he trusted a stranger over me."

"Ron, Julia was a stranger to you, but your father didn't see her as such. For him, she was kind and thoughtful. Just like anyone who didn't suffer in her hands, your father was deceived, and because of that, he lost his son, his wife, his home, and his work. Tonight, I saw him looking at you in the same way he always does whenever we visit the factory. He has so many things he would like to tell you, but he has no courage to approach you. You let go of your revenge against Julia, can't you do something similar for your father?"

"I don't want to be the bad guy, but I don't know what to do. I can't pretend that he didn't hurt me and that I didn't suffer because of that."

"You should not pretend. Tell him everything that is on your mind. Or if you don't feel like talking, let him talk. At least give him a chance to mend your relationship. Because of what happened, everyone suffered, not just you. But don't forget that because of what happened, you left and met Sarah and Aiden… and me."

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