Waking up the next day, I feel a little lighter than I was last night. All the horror that I learned was now placed at the back of my mind. I'm trying to move on from it, learning and letting it be just fall in our past. We cannot be stuck in the same problem over and over.

So what, we have bad people along the way. As long as Lucas and I got to leave in peace after this.

We won't let anything happen again that will tear us apart.

My eyes opended and I slightly winced from the sunlight that flashes through the window. I had my back on Lucas while his arms circled my waist as if he is afraid to let me go. I faced him so gently and both of his eyes are closed, breathing softly but his lips are slightly pouted. He looks so cute.

I don't know how long I've been staring at him until he opened his eyes. His weakening smile forms and I was smitten once again.

"'Morning." I wrinkled my nose and chuckled.

"Good morning." He whispered back and placed a kiss on my forehead. "I wish we already accomplished some twins last night."

I rolled my eyes and turn my body towards him this time, wrapping my arms around his torso and leaning my whole head on his chest. The action made my husband laugh which causes for his chest to vibrate beneath me.

" Someone wants to cuddle." Lucas chanted while he traces his fingertips slowly on my bare back and arm.

"Well, I'm certain that I'm not the only one." I teases back, purring in pleasure. I love the feel of his fingertips. They are a bit tough but that just adds into the satisfaction. "Lucas?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't leave me."

"What?" Lucas lifted me up to look at him in the eyes. "Baby, what are you saying? Of course I won't leave you."

"I know..." I paused for a few seconds. "I just want to be sure. You know my life isn't the perfect one. It was actually horrible. I just don't want it to happen again when we decided to form our own family. Let's do our best to maintain it whole and happy."

Relief flooded in his eyes yet, he eyes me with earnest and comfort. "You no longer have to fear such thing. There is no perfect family and we don't need a perfect one. But I can assure you that I will do whatever it takes to give you the best and so it to our child." He leans closer to place a kiss, sealing his promise by that.

I don't need a big family, just a happy one is enough. Because that's what I haven't experienced.

Lucas experienced happiness from his parents but it is just sad that they didn't got the chance to stay with him longer. They dead too early.

"Come on, I will prepare breakfast." Lucas pulls away and stands up, in all his naked glory, walks to get some new boxers. And damn, those cheeks are so cute.

I bit my lower lip as I let out a giggle. "You're still confident walking around without anything on, huh."

Lucas shrugged his shoulders and made his way out of my room. I drop my body back in the sheets, stretching my body to feel better. It took me a while before following my husband in the kitchen.

The sexiest thing I ever see in my whole life is not a naked Lucas, actually. I find what's in front of me the best.

My husband wearing nothing but boxers, an apron on and flipping some fluffy pancakes. I fight back not to laugh out loud but I really can't help it. Snaking my arms around his waist and touched the top of my nose on his nape, smelling his boyish scent.

I really love his scent, recently. More like I'm addicted to it actually. I keep on kissing him around his neck or smelling it every night. It gives me this weird satisfaction, which is really unusual. It is like, I can no longer go to sleep without inhaling his smell.

"Do you like a pancake big or small?" I teased, biting his nape which causes him to wiggle slightly. And the way I say it is kind of seducing him. I just want to play a little dirty.

Lucas smirked and turns his face to me. "Small. Because yours are not big."

I playfully slaps the back of his head, causing for him to laugh.

"Ouch, I said small, right? I didn't say I want a big one." Lucas continously laugh at my reaction. I rolled my eyes and unwraps my arms around him, then the smell of pancakes fills my nostrils and it smells awful to me.

"I don't want pancakes, it smells awful." I told him, pouting and sitting down on the stool.

Lucas glares at me. "Are you kidding me? You said the exact same thing yesterday morning. That the bacon tastes awful while they really taste heavenly."

"That's because bacon makes me want to hurl and I don't want them."

Lucas faked a horrified look. "Oh, you take that back, baby. Bacon are the best."

"For me, not anymore." I complained and rolled my eyes then withdraws because my stomach is grumbling. "Fine, I will eat the pancake. I'm really hungry."

"Great, now eat up. I need to go to the office today. Logan said he needs my help at something and he only trusts me when it comes to wedding decisions."

"Why? He doesn't trust his own taste?" I wrinkled my forehead as I frown.

"Nope." He turns around and drops a plate full of fluffy pancakes in front of me. "Eat up."

As soon as the smell of the delicious pancakes comes into my nose, I'm all gone. My feet rushes me to my bathroom, leaned on the toilet and releases half of my system.

I THINK I'm pregnant. This awful smells I've been smelling these past few days and this addiction to my man's scent is kinda suspicious. And because I threw up also, it can be a sign that I have a child inside me.

This is how I behave while I was pregnant with Ezekiel. Any smell of breakfast makes me angry and feel so disgusted with them. I can't even eat a bread in the morning without vomiting. And the longing for Lucas is really bad though, I missed him terribly and now it feels like it is happening again.

I am 87% feel that I'm pregnant.

My heart is beating too fast in excitement. I need to find out and tell it directly to Lucas later.

Unfortunately, I was just getting ready to go out and buy one when I received a call from Mom.

"Hello?"

"Hey honey. Just want to check on you since things didn't quite end well last night with Silvia." Mom's worried voice feels weak. She's tired, I'm sure. She's been with Dad 24/7 without shifting with someone.

"I'm good, Mom. I was just shock and angry...I can't believe that Dad is the major cause of my...our misery." I replied, taking my bag and made my way down the condo and into my car. "Mom, I'm actually already in my car. I am on my way there and you should go home and get some rest."

Mom didn't force herself anymore just like the other day to stay with Dad here. She immediately agrees that I will take charge this time in the hospital." I guess you are rest. I am actually still shock and angry about last night. I think I need to have a proper sleep."

"Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes. Where is Nate by the way?"

"He's at the hotel. Some major clients called him and he needs to be there for the whole day."

"Oh, I guess it's on me then." I dropped the call and drive to the hospital. The anger I had for my Father is still lingering deep inside my heart but, there is no question that I still love him so I will stay by his side. We are still a family even if it's been broken for a long time.

When I get there, I was not sure how to face my father. My anger is coming out but I have to control it. The way he causes us pain because of his own selfishness, I can't think of it as unforgivable for now. He causes me pain, my brother, Mom and so is Lucas.

He threatened us all because of his power.

Money in world is really what people thinks  that makes them powerful. And I resent that, no matter what happened, a soul and heath cannot be controlled by money.

They might win first but at the end, look what it caused us. Lucas and I still found each other, Nate can finally be free to express what he really is and Mom, she can finally be free from Dad's hatred and love for money.

Money will never win because love will stand through out the cycle. You just need to have the courage that is flaming inside you and find the key to break through the door of your heart. No matter what happens, even if you turn this world around, I'm still going to be Lucas's wife and nothing can change that. Even for money.

"You lose, Dad. You said before that you will always win but look at us now, who is laughing?" I chuckled, silently as I sit down next to his bed.

"You're right."

Are my ears deceiving me? Did Dad just spoke? My head jolted up to look at him and there he is, eyes half open and finding it difficult to breathe.

"Dad? I need to call the doctor." I was about to stand up but he placed a hand on top of mine that was resting on his bed.

"Just don't..." There is something wrong with his smile. I never seen him like this in my entire life. "Stay here."

"Is there anything you want? Water? Food?" I asked, trying to be composed.

He shakes his head. "Just sit down and stay for a while."

I did what he asked. He pats my hand and remained on top of it. "I caused you pain, didn't I?"

My eyebrows furrowed for a moment. Where is this getting at? "Dad, you shouldn't be speaking too much. You need to rest."

"I've been resting long enough." his voice is very weak as they come out like air. "Your mother couldn't stand seeing me anymore, huh?"

"What? No, I just told her to go home and rest. She's been here since you got the attack." I told him.

"I know, I can hear their voices. Your mother spoke to me and she was crying. She said that she can't handle me anymore because I gave her too pain and disappointment." there is something different in his voice. Not because they came out like pant but, I can feel the emotions he is trying to convey.

"Well, not just her Dad. You caused us a lot of disappointment." I said, matter of factly. Not actually helping the guy who is already finding it difficult to breathe. "But why, Dad? Why do you want to break this family? Starting from having Silvia. Wasn't Mom, enough?"

Something flicker in his eyes, hurt? I don't know. He looks like he doesn't know how to answer it. "It was my fault. Everything is. I got tempted and thought maybe for just once...I might make someone happy."

"And you chose Silvia? You did a great choice, Dad. Bravo." I sarcastically retorted, fighting not to roll my eyes. "I don't know if it is right to be by your side after what you did to us. You honestly deserve to be alone. To live alone and die alone. Call me harsh and a miserable daughter but I'm stating truth. I really want to respect you as my father but, it is really hard."

"I understand, honey." Dad smiles so weakly, his hands are shaking as it tries to reach for mine again. "I'm very sorry."

Wait, did I just hear it right? My dad is apologizing to me!

My eyes lifted to him again, trying not to cause more pain for him but I really felt something when he said that. A warm hand in my heart, melting the ice that I tried to shield from my father.

"I'm sorry for everything." A single tear escapes his eye. "Tell your mother and Nate, that I'm sorry for what caused for this family. As for Lucas, tell him..." he was unable to continue his words because he started coughing. I was going reach for a glass of water but he tightens his hold again. "Tell him...to love and protect his family unlike I did. Don't let him make the mistakes that I have done and you..."

His monitor starts to alarm, saying that his heart is beating slowly. My whole system starts to panic and I was just getting into the moment with my Father. For the first time, he talks to me with a heart.

"You, make me proud."

"D-Dad!" my eyes widen as I saw the crooked lines on the monitor slowly turns into just a straight line. And a deafening sound of beeping envelops the room making me shaking in horror. His eyes starts to close but the smile didn't disappear.

And that moment, the color in my Dad's face disappears.

"Dad? Dad?!" my own hands starts to move and shake him to wake him up. Tears started flowing down my eyes and at the same time, nurses bursted into the room followed by the doctor. One tried to pull me away from him as they examine him more but it was already too late.

My Dad is already gone.

.....

"It was hard to lose a father, isn't it? They should be the hero of every child but for me, it didn't start like that." I said. "We didn't start in a very heartwarming bond because I always thought of him as the bad guy in my dreams. He always controls me, tells me to take this, do this and marry this...I got so angry at him and loathe him more than anything."

I stare at everyone's eyes as I spoke in front of them, standing and wearing a formal black dress while the coffin of my father is lying just a few meters from me.

"But he became a hero to me just recently, when he was finding it very difficult to speak. And for the very first time, I felt the connection to my father. The warmth and the love that I've been trying to earn since I was born. That time before he died, that exact moment, he held my hand and looked at me in the eyes and said I'm very sorry. Three words that is enough to make me forgive him and take him back as my Dad. He said so many things before that but, those are enough, for me to say that he's a hero. Only a few people in this world can have the guts to apologize after all the shits he made."

Everyone laughed at my last sentence.

"But I just realized that, there is no cold heart with a sincere apology. That's what I learned from my Dad and all thinks to him. I became tough in this world." I ended my speech there because I really can't control my tears anymore.

Yep, today is the funeral of my Dad. I sat down next to Lucas and he quickly pulls me to his arms as comfort. The way he rubs my back is helping, making me feel that I have him. And I really am grateful for him honestly, he stood by me the whole time and didn't say anything against my Dad.

At first, I really thought that he wouldn't accept my Dad's apology and say something like He is only apologizing because he is gonna die or something like that but none. He was just full support to me and my family.

I appreciate the appearance of Stephan and Ariana, Zephyr and Eleina, Logan and finally Rune. They were present at the funeral.

By the time the coffin was already down on the ground, and we ready tossed the roses on top of it, I felt peace.

I know he's finally resting and this will answer to his silence.

Silvia didn't show up even a shadow but Lucas told me that he saw her in a distance, silently watching the funeral and I didn't want any more scene so I just let her be. Didn't bother to find her and tell her to get out. I want to respect my Mom as well and she deserved it all. After all, she is still the wife and the one suffered the most.

"Are you alright?" Lucas whispered near my ear as the funeral finally ended. Mom and Nate were thanking the people that came and shared their condolences to us.

I nodded at Lucas. "Yeah." fixing myself a bit, I adjusted my sunglasses.

At the corner of my eyes, Lucas's friends approached me and gave me some comforting hugs. Telling me that everything is going to be okay and more encouraging lines.

"Thank you guys for coming. I really appreciate it." I told them with a gentle smile.

"It's okay, besides you are our friend and you might need some gorgeous faces to keep you smiling." Logan joked making us laugh and he was the one who gave me the last but long hug.

After some chat with them, I went ahead to my Mom and Nate.

"Where are you planning to stay, Mom? I mean, don't you have plans to come back to the hotel?" I asked her.

"Yeah, why don't you just come back there, Mom. I don't want you living alone, what if something happens to you." Nate suggested, a little worried.

"Oh, don't worry about me. I have a good place to stay. I am still going to stay at our house at Sta. Domingo. The place is quiet and very safe." She said, she is talking aboht our old rest house there.

I wasn't convinced yet. "But you're alone. That still won't guarantee that you are safe there." I told her.

"I have maids there, Talia. I'm perfectly safe and I am tired of the busy and work life. It's time for me to stay out of it and I'm already happy that you two are starting your own lives." She replied, smiling gently. "Besides, I am already living there for almost a year now since I decided to leave your Dad. I already got used to it."

Nate and I looked at each other. Thinking that there is no more chance for Mom to change her mind. Well, she knows what she needs and I trust her.

Since Nate is the one who had his hands on the hotel, it is already on safe hands. I promise that I will help him out since I received many inheritance from my Dad as well so I'm cool with it.

Lucas and I went home after that. After all, we need to prepare for Logan's wedding the day after tomorrow and it's a three days trip  so we need to get ready as well.

The car ride was quiet, Lucas seems to be letting me read my own emotions. It is still hard to lose someone but just like what my husband said, we will get through this together. And I'm happy. My Dad will no longer suffer from his own pain. And I want to assure Lucas that nothing stands in our way now.

Crawling my hand to take his, he squeezed in return when our fingers intertwined. "Thank you...for being here with me."

Lucas gave me sideway glance and smiled. "Anything for you, my love." then he pressed the back of my hand to his lips. Letting it savour the feeling of my skin there for a moment.

And that really sends me into sweet ecstacy. Too much joy and thankfulness.

To be continued...