Daisy, please don't be mad at me or dad. You see, dad is much older now. I was unable to say no to him." Daisy and Leo were both Brian's family. He didn't want to see either of them get hurt. Brian knew he was not qualified to express his opinion. After all, his own mother was the one at fault. After everything Brian had been through, he treasured his family even more.
Daisy raised her head to take a peek at Leo. When she saw Leo's grey hair, she couldn't help but gasp inwardly. It hadn't been a long time, but Leo looked like he was dying!
"Daisy, I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I just hope I can meet you from time to time for the rest of my life." Leo knew that he had been so sinful that Daisy would never forgive him.
You don't need to do that. We won't be happy if we see each other. I don't think that's necessary at all," Daisy stated coldly, going against her conscience. If she forgave Leo, she would feel like she wasn't doing justice to her mother. Her mother died because of Leo and Yakira. Daisy could never forget that.
"Daisy, I know you hate me. I know you wish you were not my daughter. I've been confessing my sins to the Almighty God and I've visited your mother's grave many times to ask for her forgiveness. I know our relationship has been damaged terribly. If you hate to see me so much, I'd rather die now."
Leo wiped the tears that streamed down his cheeks. He was too ashamed of himself to look Daisy in the eye. He had done her wrong and must pay the price for it.
"Hah! Do you think it will all be good after your death? Will my mother come back to life after you die? Don't crack jokes like that. You didn't kill her with your own hands, but she died because of you! In my eyes, you are a murderer!"
Daisy raised her head high as she threw him a scornful look. Despite her cruel words, deep down she felt bad for him. However, she wouldn't admit to it. She didn't blame Leo for having been so indifferent to her all these years. But she couldn't accept the fact that her mother died because of him.
Darling, calm down. Have some water first." Edward poured a glass of water for Daisy and handed it to her. His gaze was affectionate. He knew Daisy disliked her father, but he didn't expect her to harbor such deep resentment toward him. Daisy was a generous and open-minded lady, but she lost her cool when it came to Leo.
"I know I'm a murderer. I know you will never forgive me. I just hope I can see you sometimes," Leo murmured, lowering his head.
Daisy, could you please be a little nicer to him?" Brian didn't feel comfortable when he saw Leo's pitiful face. He knew he shouldn't be taking sides, but he just couldn't resist interceding for his father's sake.
How can I be nice to someone who killed my mother? If you want to call me selfish, you can do that. My mother would not forgive me if I agree to his demand." Daisy was too stubborn and reluctant to admit that her heart was breaking as well. After all, blood was thicker than water. She was upset to see her father behave like this.
Brian, don't say that. I'm the one who should take the blame. I did something wrong and I have to pay for it. Daisy isn't wrong." Leo scolded Brian in an attempt to defend Daisy. He only wanted to make up for how he had treated her all these years. Everyone made mistakes, but one must correct them as soon as they realized they had made them.
"Darling, you must be hungry. You haven't eaten breakfast. Mr. Ouyang, just calm down and take it slow. Don't push her so hard. She was not prepared to meet you." Edward grabbed Daisy's hand under the table, smiling at her warmly. No matter what decision she made, he would have her back.
Sure. Let's have lunch first. I'm too old to remember to do that," Leo said and asked the waitress to serve the meal. Daisy sat still and didn't say anything further. Leo was much relieved to see that Daisy wasn't leaving. The dishes were served soon. The waitress poured out wine for everyone.
"Daisy, I heard you've been promoted to Senior Colonel. Congratulations!" Brian cheered with a sincere smile on his face as he raised his glass toward Daisy. He seemed genuinely pleased about the news.
"You told him that too?" Daisy rolled her eyes at Edward, thinking to herself, 'Why can't you shut your big mouth?'
What? No, you're wrong! I didn't tell him! Don't look at me like that." Edward pretended to be upset, pouting exaggeratedly. He was trying to cheer her up.
"Daisy, sorry. It was me who told Brian that you got promoted. I wanted to celebrate it with you, so I asked Brian to invite you out," Leo said carefully. He didn't want her to be upset.
How did you know that? Were you spying on me?" Upon hearing Leo's words, Daisy narrowed her eyes. She couldn't help but doubt his every single move. After all, Leo was hardly a good man!
"I wasn't! Justin told me that," Leo explained immediately when he saw her cold gaze. He didn't want to worsen their precarious relationship.
Justin? You've been contacting him all this time?" Daisy asked with a frown. It never occurred to her that Justin had been talking to Leo. He never said a word about it to her.
"I apologize. I know you don't want me to be in touch with him," Leo replied nervously as Daisy furrowed her eyebrows. It wasn't Justin who had taken the initiative to contact Leo. Leo had talked to him to try and keep up to date with Daisy's life.
That's between you and Justin. I won't raise a finger to stop him, even though I'm his mother." Daisy was broad-minded enough. She would not make Justin's choices for him, nor would she try to instill a feeling of hatred in him. She didn't want him to live in resentment.
"Thank you, Daisy." Leo was much relieved as he didn't want Justin to be punished because of him. His grandson was an adorable little boy whom he loved very much.
Dad, eat some more food. You look much thinner than you used to." Brian was indeed ashamed of what his parents had done, but Leo was the closet to him in this world. Brian felt bad whenever he saw him in low spirits these days.
Brian is right. Mr. Ouyang, health is the most important thing. You should take good care of youself," Edward said. Daisy never called Leo father, so Edward did not dare to do it either. Daisy would get pissed off by that.
Do not try to ask for my forgiveness while you hurt yourself. You owe me a lot and I will take everything back. You better be alive before I decide to forgive you." Daisy meant to ask Leo to take care of his health, but couldn't bring herself to say anything sweet.
"I get your point. I will live alive and well." Upon hearing Daisy's words, Leo did not feel sad anymore and beamed at her. He knew Daisy's heart had softened, otherwise she would not even be in the mood to talk to him.
Edward was amused by Daisy's threatening tone as she said the words. He thought it was sweet. He knew Daisy was a gentle woman. No matter how much she hated Leo, deep down she cared for him. She expressed her love for her father in her own way.
Brian, however, was shocked by Daisy's attitude. He had lost all hope that Daisy would ever forgive Leo. He didn't expect her to go soft on him. If things carried on like this, it was just a matter of time that Daisy decided to forgive Leo.
They had a dull lunch together, but Leo was thrilled because Daisy had changed her mind. After the lunch, Leo left the room, smiling in contentment.
"Daisy, thank you so much!" After Leo was gone, Brian returned to Daisy's side and gave her a grateful smile. He was sure that she would forgive her father sooner or later. He was full of hope for tomorrow.