At Starry Night Hotel
The boisterous banquet hall quieted down after Joshua exposed Shyla and Ethon's marriage to all the
guests. The low pink light gave a warm glow to the atmosphere.
Shyla stood on the stage as all eyes turned to focus on Ethon.
Monica tightened her grip on Ethon's hand, who remained stoic. He did not want to get engaged at all.
"I need to go to the toilet," Ethon excused himself, casting an icy glance at Monica.
Without a word, Monica loosened her grip on Ethon's hand. She leaned close and whispered in his ear,
"You had better come back soon."
With indifference on his face, Ethon gave her a look of arrogance. As he turned around to face the
guests, people could see how lonely he felt.
Malcolm put down the goblet that he was holding and stared at Monica in surprise. He had not realized
she was this crazy. She hadn't informed him that Joshua would create such a drama tonight.
Ethon entered the bathroom and was about to close the door when a force pushed it open. It was
Malcolm in his flashy black suit. He walked in with a calm expression on his face.
They locked the door from inside.
Malcolm patted his son's shoulder, a friendly smile on his face. "Ethon, are you okay?" he asked.
"Dad... Did you know about this?" A deep frown settled on Ethon's handsome face. There was a hint of
anger in his tone, too.
Malcolm shook his head, taking his hand off his son's shoulder. "I didn't know. If I had, I would have
stopped your mother."
Ethon's thin lips formed into a sneer. "Dad, I really love Nana. I don't want to break up with her."
Malcolm didn't say anything for a few seconds. They could feel tension and seriousness in the air
around them.
Malcolm understood how Ethon was feeling. Smiling, he said, "Ethon, no matter what you want to do,
just do it. You have my support."
"Father..." Ethon wanted to say something but did not know what. He was touched by his father's
words, almost unable to believe that he had his support.
Malcolm knew all of this too well. He had sacrificed his love for the greater good of his family. But, he
regretted not being able to marry the love of his life.
"Do you remember your Aunt Ivy?" Malcolm asked, taking out his cigarette packet and lighter. He lit
one of the cigarettes.
It burned at the end, and the smell of smoke filled the bathroom.
Ethon nodded. He stared at his father now, confused. Of course, he remembered that woman.
"The greatest regret of my life is not being able to have been with her. I wanted to be a general, so I
rejected her in favor of my future. She swallowed her pride and moved in with your brother." Malcolm
took a puff of the cigarette. "I made her suffer, and for that, I am a jerk." For a second, he stared into
space. Sadness and longing appeared on his face.
Ethon could see that his father felt trapped. He was wrapped in layers of smoke, unable to get out.
"Father, don't say that." Ethon's heart ached.
"I failed her, Ethon. People can fall in love many times, but there is only one person who is the love of
our lives." Malcolm looked at Ethon. "You understand your heart. Your body is telling me more than
your mouth. You like this girl, and when you like someone, you do everything in your power to be able
to hold her in your arms. I believe that you have already tasted love. You do not need me to teach you
what to do next." He took another puff of the cigarette, looking guilty.
After Ivy left, Malcolm had felt dead on the inside. He was simply a walking, talking corpse. Back when
Ivy had still been alive, they hadn't been in contact much. She was proud and did not want to be the
one to reach out first. She was also afraid of people bashing them once they found out about the
relationship she shared with Malcolm. So, she let herself become the bad guy instead. But, Malcolm
knew the truth.
"Dad, can I tell everyone that Fiona is the love of my life when I go out later?" Ethon shot his father a
meaningful look, his eyebrows raised. A crazy idea had started to form in his mind.
With a gentle smile on his face, Malcolm responded, "Ethon, I said that I will support whatever decision
you make."
Hearing Malcolm's reply moved Ethon to tears. He sniffed, finally understanding the man standing in
front of him. He had become a military hero, but he had lost the woman he loved. His heart broke for
his father.
Malcolm missed Ivy and regretted not being able to be with her. Therefore, he fully supported his son's
wishes.
Some people, once let go, would always be gone.
'From the cradle to the grave, life is too short, ' Malcolm thought. 'We are alone at the time of our birth,
and when we die. But, along the way, we meet a lot of people. We join hands with them and carry on
with our journey. The most important companion, however, is the person we love.'
"Dad, if you had a second chance, would you have married Aunt Ivy?"
Malcolm smiled. A hint of tenderness flashed across his handsome, yet cold face. He nodded. Of
course, he would.
"The desires us human beings have are endless. We have to be responsible. Each time you gain
something, there will always be something you lose. Weigh the pros and cons carefully, and then make
a choice. Once that choice is made, do not look back, and do not regret it. Even if you do become
regretful, keep it to yourself," Malcolm spoke slowly.
As far as Ethon remembered, his father had been a man of blood and iron. But, here he was, tender as
a child. Malcolm had never spoken to Ethon as much as he did today.
"Father, you must miss her very much." Ethon smiled lightly. He had met Ivy before. She had been a
great fan of playing the piano, and she was graceful.
Malcolm had once used three words to describe Ivy; gentle, dignified, and graceful.
"Of course, I miss her. I made the wrong choice. I hope you do not make the same mistakes that I did
when I was young. You are my son. Even if you do not marry into the Tang Family, your future will not
be ruined. Follow your heart. Be with the woman you love."
"Thank you, Father. I see."
"Okay, now you go out first. I want to have another cigarette." Being an addict, Malcolm flicked the butt
into the trash can and took out another cigarette.
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