“I… I… but, what did Mom mean by what she said?” I was thoroughly confused. It seemed like more than just a simple disagreement between Mom and Dad. Mom had gone as far as taking someone’s side against Dad. Whom should I side with?
Dad treated me well and to be honest, Mom did not really treat me so well. At this moment, in my heart, my feelings were more inclined to side with Dad. Nevertheless, a voice inside me kept telling me to listen to Mom. It seemed as if I could remember Mom holding me in the garden admiring the flowers. Mom was gentle and loving as she told me she loved me the most and no matter what happened, I could depend on her.
“When this is over, I shall explain to you. I love you the most. These days together, you must have come to realize that. Be a good girl, listen to me.”
My mind was in confusion as I watched Mark and Isabelle each speaking to me in turn. Mom pushed me gently, but I was not standing properly so I stumbled back a couple of steps toward the window. At that moment, I suddenly remembered that Christopher had spoken to me before I came. He wanted me to listen to Mom. Did he know about this, too?
I still remember when Christopher came back, he kept talking to me even though I was lying in the hospital with a fever. It was as if there was too much he wanted to tell me and not enough time. Finally, he said something very strange, “There is no such thing as a perfect mother in this world. Perhaps, not everything you see is what it seems, so as long as you firmly believe that your mother loves you, then that is enough.”
I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I was looking directly into Mark’s eyes which were full of expectation. I turned away, not wanting to look at him, and said in a low voice, “My vote is given to… I’m voting for Lucas!”
When Isabelle heard what I said, to my surprise, she wept aloud and hugged me tight as she wept. “Eve, I know you are a good girl. Eve, I love you. I’ve always loved you. You are my good daughter.”
“Yvonne Tanner, you slut!” Mark began to howl. I did not know if I had done anything wrong. However, when I looked at my mom’s weeping eyes, my wavering emotions settled down into certainty, and I became firm.
After Mark had used the most venomous terms to berate mom, he turned on me. For the first time, I found out that Dad had such a malicious side. Suddenly he broke out in a laugh that can only be described as hair-raising, and he muttered softly, “Do you think that you can take away something that belongs to me like this? Let me tell you. It’s impossible! It’s impossible!”
“President Goldstein, no, Director Goldstein. We already have the results of the voting. It’s better that you calm down and make things easy for everyone,” Director Zabriskie spoke in a neutral voice.
“Uncle Mark, the business arena is akin to a battlefield. Don’t be a sore loser. Didn’t you come in the same way, years ago? Why do this now?” Lucas smiled and watched coldly as Mark went on ranting.
Mark turned around and took out some documents which he threw onto the table. Then, he snorted, “I believe it’s better each of you takes a look at these documents. Then, consider your decision again. Don’t do something you will regret. When the time comes, even if you cry and beg me, I will show no mercy.”
“I think we will not be changing our decisions. Nor will we look at your documents.”
The door of the office was suddenly pushed open again and Christopher walked in. He was not wearing a suit, but a military uniform that I had never seen before. Behind him were a few heavily armed army personnel, including Zachary and Sean, whom I knew.
“Chris! Zachary! You guys…” I thought what happened was beyond the scope of my understanding. I was only abducted by a woman named Flora and missing for two days, suffering from a high fever for one day and one night. After that, everything seemed to have changed.
“Christopher Lane, what do you think you’re doing?” Mark’s face turned black as thunder.
Christopher gave me an assuring look and then said to Mark, “Mr. Goldstein, someone has revealed that you are running an illegal business and involved with the drug case across the border. You have killed people with guns and smuggled arms as well. We are arresting you now. Please come with us. If you have anything to say, you can tell it to the court.”
“You are arresting your father-in-law… Don’t you want to be with Eve anymore? Christopher Lane, I have really misjudged you.” Mark roared.
“Eve is my daughter. I have the final say of whom she wants to marry. Mark Goldstein, don’t think that you can fool everyone by making up a big lie. I, Isabelle Anderson, am still alive. I know exactly what you did to the Anderson family back then. As long as I live, I won’t let you get away with it!”
