Holding Daisy's hands lovingly, Cynthia explained it to her. She knew Daisy was a nice girl; and she felt so sorry for her at the same time. Although Cynthia had helped her and Edward a few years ago, she didn't expect she would hurt her by doing that. She had been guilty ever since. Luckily, Daisy and Edward finally overcame all the obstacles and fell in love with each other, which made her feel much better. 'A good happy ending, ' she thought.
"Mom, please don't say that. We're family, remember? I'm happy to shop with you whenever you like. But I have a question, do you and Dad have some misunderstandings with Edward? I feel things are a little weird between Edward and his father." In fact, Daisy had asked Edward about this before. But Edward simply shook his head and said nothing. Daisy knew he didn't want to talk, so she didn't force him. She knew everyone had some wounds that were better kept private. It had nothing to do with trust. Edward had kept his pain in his heart for so many years. He didn't want to talk to anyone about this when he was little; and as time went by, it became harder to say it out loud. He couldn't because he didn't even know where to start. The only thing he could do was to run away when anyone stirred things up.
"It's a long story. You've probably noticed how much Jonathan loves me. He sees no one but me, and everything else in the world is meaningless to him. That is why he didn't want me to have children back then. But I wanted a child so badly; he eventually agreed. Only one child, and I mustn't love him any less even if I have the baby. This was his requirement I had to agree to if I wanted to get pregnant. He said he had to remain the most important person in my life."
Cynthia paused and sighed heavily. Biting her lip while gazing into space, Cynthia was lost in thought for a while. Then she forced a bitter smile at Daisy, had a small sip of her coffee before continuing, "Back then, I wanted a baby more than anything; so I agreed without thinking too much. The truth is, we didn't pay enough attention to Edward when he was little and needed our love. Later on, considering his safety, we had to send him abroad. He grew up without us by his side, so there isn't much love and care we could ask from him, since it's all our fault. That's why he doesn't want us around. He keeps rejecting us reflexively, maybe he still hates us for abandoning him."
Cynthia had no intention to keep it a secret from Daisy, and she told her the whole story. Daisy was Edward's wife, her daughter-in-law; they were families. Even if she didn't say anything, Daisy would find out on her own. But if she told Daisy, maybe she could talk to Edward as his wife, someone he would actually listen to. Maybe things wouldn't get worse if they could heal Edward's wound in his heart.
Cynthia's words bruised Daisy's heart. She felt sorry for Edward. She had always thought Edward had a happy childhood since he was born into a wealthy family with nothing to concern him. But he didn't; his childhood was almost as miserable as hers in some ways. But Edward didn't get desperate; instead of being cynical and depraved, he was now a brilliant and successful businessman. Daisy suddenly thought of the way he changed his girlfriends frequently and loved none of them, maybe he was too painful and he needed an outlet; he craved love, yet he was scared of being loved. he didn't love anyone before because he didn't even know how to. Daisy knew it because she was the one who lived day and night with Edward. She believed Edward wasn't the playboy they had pictured on the entertainment news.
"Doesn't Dad like Edward?" Daisy asked hesitantly with a frown. Was it possible that a father didn't like his own son? Even though Jonathan didn't want to have a child at first, how could he still be indifferent when he saw the new life crying in his arms and growing up beside him? However, she was in no position to judge that. She knew that there really were some fathers who just didn't like their own children. Take Leo for an example. Her own father didn't like her, and he even doubted whether she was his real daughter. It pierced Daisy's heart to think of that. She wondered whether she and Leo would someday make peace with each other, and he would love her like he once did. Sadly, Daisy had grown disappointed in her own father. After years of struggling, she had given up the idea of going back to him.
"It's not like that. He loves Edward; he just doesn't know how to tell him. Also, he doesn't know how to get along with his son. Jonathan loves me, and he loves his son; I guess it's just a little confusing for him. And as time goes by, there is nothing he could do but remain silent. Even though Edward think his father doesn't like him, Jonathan doesn't know how to explain. That's why they are acting like this now."
Cynthia sighed heavily again. If Jonathan was the love of her life, then Edward was the pain of her life. She had always been regretting that she wasn't there for him when he needed her. She never felt sorry for anyone or anything for her entire life, except for her own son. Cynthia wished she could have been a better mother, but it was all too late now. Whatever she tried to do now, it wouldn't be enough to make it up to Edward since he couldn't have his childhood back.
"I think I know how Edward feels. Although he hasn't said it, I know he doesn't hate you. He's just confused. He was hurt, but he still loves you. No children in the world will hate their parents, nor will they give their parents cold shoulders. He just needs some time to think it through."
Daisy had been there, so she knew clearly how Edward felt at this moment. She spent many years hating her father while hoping he would accept her again as his beloved daughter. She knew how painful it was. Thinking of that, Daisy felt sorry for Edward. He was not as strong as she thought, he could be hurt as well. And she realized that she was not the only miserable person in the world, since everyone had their own crosses to bear.
"I hope so. Sorry, Daisy. I need to go to the bathroom." Daisy noticed Cynthia's reddened eyes. Given the fact she loved Edward very much, it must have been painful for her to admit how much she owed her son. Daisy thought maybe Cynthia needed to be left alone and cry for a while.
"Okay. Do you want me to come with you?" But Daisy was a little worried about Cynthia. She looked devastated. Daisy couldn't help but think whether she had said something inappropriate or not. Although Daisy didn't approve of how they treated Edward when he was little, it wasn't her place to judge. She could only say something less blunt from the view of a bystander, and she really hoped she could help improve the relationship between Edward and his parents.
"It's fine. I'm not a 3-year-old child. You don't have to keep me company. I'll be back soon." Cynthia gave Daisy a tender smile. She felt much better to see Daisy being considerate. She pulled herself together and stopped thinking about Edward. She believed what Daisy had said, and she knew things would work out between Edward and them as long as she kept trying and never gave up.