Augustine visited Denis at the hospital. Today, Denis looked much better than before. The bruises on his face had faded, his complexion was not as pale as before, and he even seed a little energetic.
The sight eased Augustine’s heart with relief.
As soon as Denis noticed him, a grin tugged at his lips. He set the newspaper aside. "You don’t need to co every day. I’m fine now. Haris is here with . You should be with Anne."
Augustine chuckled, pulling a chair closer to the bed. "Funny, because that grin of yours says the opposite. Looks to like you’ve been waiting for ."
Denis shifted uncomfortably, self-conscious. He had missed Augustine and had been waiting for him, but admitting it outright felt too awkward. Instead, he muttered, "I don’t want to trouble you. You are a family man now. Your wife is expecting, and you are running the business. Yet you still make ti to visit . It makes feel guilty."
"Stop overthinking," Augustine scolded lightly. "No matter how busy I am, I’ll always co to see you."
The words struck Denis deeply, though he only whispered, "Thanks."
"I’m not here for your thanks," Augustine muttered. "Anyway... Gabriel has been taken to prison. He is going to face life imprisonnt."
At the ntion of Gabriel, Denis’s face hardened. His good mood vanished instantly. "I don’t want to hear about him. I don’t care what becos of him."
"But he asked to see you," Augustine pressed gently. "He wants to talk to you. Maybe you should et him one last ti."
"There is no need," Denis cut in coldly. "I don’t want to waste a single thought on the man who murdered my parents, let alone eting him again."
Augustine could understand Denis’s resentnt, yet he also knew Gabriel was already living his punishnt. Once a proud, domineering man, he was now nothing more than a paralyzed prisoner, crushed beneath the weight of his own regret and guilt.
"You should think it over," Augustine said calmly. "You called him father all your life. And now look at him—paralyzed, behind bars."
"This is his karma," Denis snapped, cutting him off sharply. "After everything he has done, did you really expect his life to end well? I feel nothing for him. No sympathy. None."
Augustine realized no words would soften Denis’s anger right now. Perhaps only ti would dull that bitterness, and maybe one day Denis would reconsider. For now, Augustine chose not to push further.
"Alright, I won’t force you. It’s your decision, and I’ll respect it. But... there is sothing else I need to tell you. The model city project has been restarted."
That news brought a spark of joy back to Denis’s face.
"The Sphere Group is investing more funds into it," Augustine continued. "I approved it."
Denis’s expression froze, the smile draining away. "You approved it?" he echoed in disbelief. "What’s that supposed to an?"
"I’m the president of the Sphere Group," Augustine said evenly. "Augustine Bennet."
Augustine Bennet?
The na struck a chord in Denis’s mind. He had always known the president of the Sphere Group as Mr. Bennet but had never bothered to learn his first na. Now, discovering it was Augustine left him utterly shaken.
"You... you are the president?" Denis stamred, stunned. The man he had believed to be distant and untouchable, the powerful figure everyone tried to et, was none other than his own brother.
"But your last na is Beaumont, not Bennet," Denis said in bewildernt.
"I was never truly a Beaumont," Augustine replied evenly. "The Beaumonts never accepted my parents or . When I went abroad, I abandoned that na. Bennet is my mother’s surna, so I took it instead."
Denis knew well how cruelly the Beaumonts had treated Gervis and his family. Worse, he himself had insulted and rejected them in ignorance, never realizing they were his blood. Regret pressed down on his chest.
"I wronged you, too," he admitted hoarsely. "I treated you terribly. You must hate for it." He lowered his head, unable to et Augustine’s gaze.
"I did hate you," Augustine admitted. "But in the end, you are still my brother. That truth changes everything. The past is behind us. The pain won’t vanish overnight, but we need to move forward. I’ve already left everything here in your hands. Take care of it. I’ll be leaving for abroad."
"Why leave? Stay here. Together, we will run the business." Denis cast him a hopeful look.
"The overseas branch needs ," Augustine said gently. "But don’t worry. Distance won’t keep us apart. Whether I’m here or abroad, we’ll work side by side."
Denis wished he could convince him to stay, but he knew he had no such authority. All he could do was nod. "When will you be leaving?" he asked quietly.
"This weekend," Augustine replied.
"Alright then... have dinner with before you go," Denis requested.
"Consider it done. But for now, focus on getting better," Augustine said as he stood. "I’ll head out now. See you tomorrow."
Seven years later...
Denis waited outside the kindergarten, eagerly looking at the gate. After so ti, the children started coming out. But Denis was looking for one familiar face. When he finally saw it, he raised his hand high and waved eagerly, grinning from ear to ear.
The boy’s eyes widened in surprise before breaking into a joyous smile. He paused only for a second before sprinting straight toward Denis.
"Uncle Denis," he shouted gleefully.
Denis crouched and scooped the boy into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Ah, Aaron, my boy—you’ve gotten heavier since the last ti I saw you."
Aaron giggled. "When did you co?"
"Shh..." Denis placed a finger to his lips with a playful gesture. "That’s a secret. I ca to surprise you. Do you like it?"
Aaron’s eyes sparkled. "I love surprises."
"Good. Then how about we go to the amusent park?"
"Yes..." Aaron bounced with excitent. "I love the amusent park."
"Then let’s go." Denis chuckled, carrying him away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several hours later...
After spending the day hopping from ride to ride, both of them were worn out. They finally settled onto an empty bench, ice creams in hand.
"I loved all the rides," Aaron said between bites, though his earlier excitent had dimd. His clear eyes drooped with fatigue, but a faint smile still lingered on his lips.
"Feeling tired?" Denis asked gently, brushing the sweat off the boy’s forehead.
Aaron quickly shook his head, stubborn even in his exhaustion. "Not at all. We can still play so more."
"But it’s already getting late," Denis reminded him, nodding at the setting sun. "We should head back, or else your father might send a whole army looking for you."
Aaron barely reacted, still focused on his ice cream. "I don’t care," he said carelessly. "The bodyguards are always around the house. They even follow when I go out. Maybe they are even watching us right now."
Denis chuckled at that. "So you don’t like having them trail you everywhere?"
Aaron shrugged, his small shoulders slumping. "Sotis I don’t mind, but sotis I hate it. My friends tease about it, and I don’t like that."
Then his face brightened as he added with a mischievous smile, "But there is one girl in my class who never teases . I like her, and I want her to be my girlfriend. Will you help ?"
"?" Denis arched a brow, half-amused. "And what exactly do you expect to do?"
Aaron looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "You must have a girlfriend, right? I want you to teach how to ask her to be mine."
Denis nearly laughed. "You are only seven years old and already thinking about girlfriends. If your father hears this, he’ll scold you. And your mother—well, I don’t even know how she’d react."
"But this will stay between us, right? You won’t tell them. Promise ."
Denis chuckled but nodded. "Alright, I promise. Your secret’s safe with ."
"Then give so tips," Aaron pressed eagerly.
Denis scratched his chin, pretending to think. "Let tell you sothing. Truth is, I don’t have a girlfriend. But... there is soone I like."
Aaron’s eyes widened with curiosity. "Really? Then why isn’t she your girlfriend?"
The smile slipped from Denis’s face, a shadow of sadness crossing his expression. He had lost the one woman who had loved him all her heart. He had lost her through his own foolishness. However, it was a relief that she was happy with the man she had chosen.
Forcing his smile back, he ruffled Aaron’s hair. "Because she likes soone else."
"Oh?" Aaron’s face fell. "That must make you sad."
"No," Denis said promptly. "I’m not. She is happy – that’s what matters."
Aaron frowned, trying to puzzle it out. "I think I’d be sad if the girl I like didn’t like back."
"You are still too young to understand," Denis said gently. "But rember this—love isn’t about possession. It’s about sacrifice. One day you’ll understand. For now, don’t worry about it. Enjoy being a kid."
"What are you two doing there? Aaron, co here."
The familiar voice behind them made both Denis and Aaron turn. Augustine and Anne were standing a few feet away.
Aaron’s face broke into a wide grin. "Mommy... Daddy..." He leapt off the bench and ran into their arms.
"You little rascal," Augustine scolded lightly. "You didn’t co ho after school."
"Uncle Denis brought here," Aaron said, beaming. "I love the rides." Then, glancing at his mother, his smile faltered. "Sorry, Mommy. I made you worried."
Anne gave him a small smile. Denis had already ntioned he was taking Aaron out, so she wasn’t truly worried. "You must be tired," she said. "Let’s go ho."
"Uncle Denis," Aaron called back. "Co on, let’s go."
"Yes, I’m coming." Denis rose from the bench and walked toward them. Stopping in front of Anne, his eyes dropped briefly to her baby bump. "How are you feeling? And the babies?"
"I’m doing well," Anne answered with a cheerful grin. "The babies are fine, too. Augustine takes such good care of ."
"Of course, I do," Augustine added warmly. "It’s my duty to look after my wife and our children." He slipped his arm around Anne’s shoulders, his eyes filled with affection. "You are carrying twins this ti. You shouldn’t be on your feet too long. Let take you to the car."
Anne nodded softly. "Let’s go ho."
Together, the family began walking toward the car.
Denis lingered for a mont, watching the three of them walk ahead. A faint smile tugged at his lips, though his chest swelled with unspoken emotions.
’Anne... the woman I love. I’ve learned to find my happiness in hers.’
"What are you waiting for?" Augustine called back, glancing over his shoulder. "Co on, let’s go ho."
Ho. That’s what Augustine and his family had beco for him.
"Coming," Denis replied with a broad smile, quickening his steps to follow.
The end...
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