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Sanford found it strange. He thought, ‘That’s Donald’s father, Jennifer’s father–in-law. Why is he staring at me like that?
He asked, “Sir, is there something on my face?”
Jolted by Sanford’s call, Werner realized he’d been staring at Sanford for too long and quickly looked away, a bit embarrassed.
At the restaurant’s entrance, Hayden called Sanford over.
After parking the car, Werner watched Sanford walk away, then quietly pulled Liora aside. Reaching into his pocket, he took out a bank card and handed it to her.
Liora’s face hardened. She asked, “What’s this about?”
Werner said, “I owe you and Sanford an apology. Donald’s wedding drained my savings, and I’m tight on cash right now. There’s 100 thousand on this card. Take it as compensation for you and Sanford.”
Liora scoffed inwardly, ‘100 thousand as compensation for all these years?‘ After weathering life’s harshest storms, she couldn’t care less about such a paltry sum.
She snapped, “Sanford and I don’t need your pathetic handout. Take it back. You’re not even Sanford’s father.”
Liora shoved Werner’s hand away angrily, but Werner seized her wrist. He insisted, “Sanford is my son. I’ve been looking at him up close for a long time, and he looks just like me. He is my son.”
Liora glared at Werner and said, “I did exactly what you told me. I said Sanford was Yorick’s son. A lie repeated often enough becomes the truth. Now, everyone believes Sanford is Yorick’s child, and you? You’re just his uncle.”
Werner clenched his fists tightly and yelled at Liora, “This is all because of you. I told you back then that you should never have given birth to him. Now you’re making everyone miserable.”
Liora said, “I never intended for Sanford to go back to Nareigh and acknowledge you as his father. I didn’t want things to turn out like this either.”
Before she could finish, a violent cough wracked her body. Blood splattered across the floor with each wrenching cough. The next second, she collapsed, unconscious. Werner’s frantic cries were the last thing she heard before darkness claimed her.
In the room, Hayden said to Sanford, “Have a seat.”
Sanford shook his head, maintaining a guarded distance. He said, “No need, I’ll stand. What did you want to talk about?”
Hayden stepped right up to Sanford. This was the first time he had ever seen Sanford in person, not through a screen, not in photos or videos, but the real man, in the flesh. He looked Sanford up and down, studying him from every angle.
Sanford felt his skin crawl under Hayden’s intense scrutiny. He wondered what Hayden wanted from him. He asked again, “Is there something you want
to talk about?”
Hayden said, “Strange, you don’t look like Yorick at all. If anything, you’re the spitting image of your uncle.”
Sanford asked, “My uncle?”
Hayden replied, “Yes, Yorick’s younger brother, Donald’s dad. Not sure if you know him.”
Sanford said indifferently, “I know him. Maybe nephews just take after their uncles.”
Hayden thought, ‘It is often said that a nephew takes after his maternal uncle, but I rarely hear that about a paternal uncle.‘ Still, he didn’t give it much
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thought. He raised his hand.
Sanford took a wary step back and asked, “What do you want?”
Hayden said, “Let me get a good look at you. I never imagined Yorick had another son besides Jonathan.”
Sanford pressed his lips together, then stopped retreating, allowing Hayden’s gnarled hand to rest on his cheek.
Hayden’s eyes welled up with tears as he lowered his hand. He said, “I’m sorry to Yorick. If only I’d supported his dream to study abroad instead of clinging to him out of fear, afraid I’d have no one to care for me.
“Maybe then he would’ve had a different life, maybe even a longer one.”
Sanford frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?” he asked.
Hayden sighed and turned away from Sanford. He said, “I had two sons. Back then, I favored Werner over Yorick. That’s why now, Jonathan is the one ! dote on the most.”
Sanford sneered, “Of course, he’s the richest one.”
Hayden huffed. He said, “This isn’t about money. Jonathan lost his father when he was just a boy. How could I not cherish him? If only I’d known sooner
that you were Yorick’s son, too.
“What a blessing it would’ve been for you and Jonathan to grow up together as brothers.”
Sanford said coldly, “That was never going to happen. We don’t share the same mother, after all.”
Hayden turned back around with a sigh. He said, “You’re right. You two poor boys lost your father so young. You’ve had it rough.”
Sanford’s eyes suddenly reddened. He clenched his fists and said, “I never should have been born. I am nothing but a damned bastard.”
Hayden said, “Don’t think that way. I don’t know exactly what happened between Yorick and Cherry all those years ago, but that was their affair. None of this is your fault; you’re blameless.”
“Cherry?” Sanford echoed, confused.
Hayden said, “Before your grandfather passed away, your mother’s name was Cherry. She changed it later. Your grandfather and I were classmates. We used to play chess together all the time.”
“Is that so?” Sanford said flatly. He didn’t press further. From as far back as he could remember, Liora had been the only family he’d ever known.
Suddenly, a thick envelope stuffed with cash was shoved into Sanford’s hand by Hayden. Sanford pushed it back and said, “I don’t want your money.”
Hayden said, “Take this. If you ever need anything, just tell me quietly. I’ll always be here to help you out.”
Sanford gave a bitter laugh. He sneered, “I was born a disgrace, and I still am. I have to live in the shadows, hiding for the rest of my life, is that it?”
Helpless against Sanford’s distress, Hayden murmured, “I’m sorry.” He thought, ‘Only the children are caught in the crossfire of the previous generation’s feuds.‘
Sanford said, “Guess this is my fate. I accept it. I don’t want to establish any ties with the Lynn family, least of all with Jonathan. From now on, I’ll keep my surname, Thomas. Maybe I’ll even change my name.” With that, he walked out.
Benny arrived in Shaville full of enthusiasm. Believing Jonathan was about to sue Sanford for defamation, Benny was ready to take the case pro bono, only to discover that Jonathan had already dropped the lawsuit.
When Jonathan saw Benny arrive, he invited, “Come keep me company for a drink.”
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Benny raised an eyebrow and said, “I thought that guy was still in lockup.”
“Just got out today,” Jonathan replied and downed another glass in one gulp.
Benny hadn’t seen Jonathan drink this hard and fast in ages. He shot him a look and asked, “What’s going on, man? Did you and Teresa have another fight?”
Jonathan paused mid–sip, a faint, tender smile flickering across his lips as he recalled how Teresa had defended him. Then he shook his head slightly and murmured, “It’s got nothing to do with her.”
He drained yet another glass, brows tightly furrowed. He was already
on
his sixth glass.
