Bab 10: Chapter 10- silent fury
Dave and Laurent entered the house, one after the other. In the luxurious and opulent living room, Lilian stood at the side with a look that was on the verge of tears. Tiffany stood by her suitcase, her expression flat, while Daniel Washington was holding her arm, trying to stop her from leaving, his face full of distress.
"Tiffany, we're both getting old, why take this step? Can't we talk things through?" he pleaded.
When Tiffany saw Dave and Laurent enter, she glanced at them, then stepped back a little, pulling herself out of Daniel's grasp.
She surveyed the room for a moment before speaking coldly, "Since the children are all here, it's perfect. Let's settle this once and for all."
"Tiffany—"
Daniel Washington didn't want Tiffany to continue, but Tiffany, seemingly determined, pressed on.
"When I found out that you had been secretly supporting that mother and child abroad, all I felt was disgust."
Her opening words made Daniel's face turn pale. Tiffany looked at him with a calm tone, yet her words cut deeply.
"Afterward, I tried to tell myself that they were your past, that you had a child with her, and that it was your responsibility to support them. I didn't mind. However, when you decided to make Dave give up the girl he liked for their son, that was the moment I gave up on you."
Tiffany's voice remained gentle, but her words were sharp enough to pierce Daniel's heart.
"It's not an exaggeration to say that the divorce between Dave and Laurent is entirely your doing. You married me, a woman you didn't love—you should know how that feels. So why force your son to marry a woman he doesn't love?"
It is often said that women are weak by nature, but become strong when it comes to their children. It was only when Tiffany spoke about her son's failed marriage that a hint of bitterness seeped into her voice.
"Is this how you enjoy torturing my son?"
Daniel quickly denied, his voice filled with urgency.
"No, no, I never wanted to hurt Dave. He's my son too!"
He paused for a moment, then looked at Tiffany seriously, continuing,
"My experience tells me that love can be cultivated. Over time, feelings can develop. That's why I forced Dave to marry Laurent. I thought that after a while, he would come to love her."
Logically, Daniel's words indirectly acknowledged that, over the years, he had come to love Tiffany, almost like a confession. However, when Tiffany heard this, there was no joy in her expression. Instead, she gave a somewhat mocking smile.
"Are you saying that after all these years, you've fallen in love with me?"
Daniel pressed his lips together and stood there, not denying it.
Suddenly, Tiffany's tears began to fall.
"Unfortunately, your confession comes too late. I have no feelings left for you."
Through her tears, Tiffany spoke each word clearly, her voice steady but heavy with finality.
"Washington, if you die, I would gladly be buried with you, but as long as you're alive, I have no desire to live with you."
With that, she turned and picked up her suitcase, preparing to leave.
Daniel was stunned by Tiffany's last, resolute words. His vision blurred, and he staggered, grabbing hold of a nearby table to steady himself. Seeing this, Lilian quickly rushed to her father's side to support him.
Laurent, who hadn't had the chance to speak since entering, was equally shocked by Tiffany's resolute words. Hearing them in person, along with Tiffany's unwavering expression, she truly believed what Lilian had said on the phone about Tiffany wanting a divorce.
To be honest, while Laurent herself had wanted a divorce, she had never expected that her decision would affect another couple's marriage, especially not a couple of their age.
For a moment, guilt filled her heart, and she quickly stepped forward to stop Tiffany, who was about to leave with her suitcase.
"Mom, you—"
However, as soon as she spoke, she realized that she was the least qualified to stop Tiffany because she, too, was resolutely pursuing a divorce.
Feeling helpless, she turned to Dave, hoping he would intervene and stop Tiffany. To her surprise, he shot her a sharp look, then turned to Lilian, giving her instructions.
"Lilian, take Mom to your place!"
Dave, too, was stunned by his mother's final words. Tiffany's resoluteness made it clear to him that, at this juncture, it would be best for his parents to temporarily separate and cool off.
Lilian had her own place, and as the daughter, it would be more suitable for their mother to stay there for now. Although Dave wanted to take his mother in, he thought better of it, considering the ongoing chaos with Laurent, and so refrained.
Lilian, after hearing her brother's instructions, settled Daniel on the couch and then went over to help her mother with the suitcase. Although Daniel was reluctant, he had no choice but to accept the situation.
Before long, the large living room was left with just Laurent, Dave, and Daniel.
The atmosphere was heavy and tense. The relationship between Dave and Daniel had always been strained, and now, with Tiffany insisting on divorcing Daniel, Dave's mood was even darker, his displeasure toward Daniel more pronounced than ever.
Laurent thought for a moment, then decided to break the silence. But she directed her words to Daniel.
" I'm sorry."
The divorce issue had, after all, been triggered by her.
Daniel, sitting dejectedly on the sofa, seemed suddenly much older. After hearing her words, he gave a dry smile and shook his head.
"The one who should apologize is me. You're a good girl, and it's I who have hurt you."
Daniel looked at her, wanting to say something, but after opening his mouth, he let out a helpless sigh instead.
"Forget it. I can't even take care of myself now, so I can't worry about you all. You'll figure things out."
After saying this, Daniel stood up and went upstairs, his back forlorn and lonely.
Daniel had always been gentle and loving toward Laurent. It was because of Daniel's support that she had been able to get close to Dave and eventually marry him. But now, hearing Daniel say such things, Laurent couldn't help but feel a deep sadness in her heart.
Back then, she had been cheerful and fearless, confident that she could make Dave fall in love with her, even promising Daniel that she would make Dave happy.
But five years had passed, and the first person to give up was her.
She hadn't made him happy. In fact, she had become unhappy herself.
Could she really not give up on a marriage that made both of them miserable?
After Daniel left, Laurent stood there, lost in her thoughts. She was so immersed in her own sorrow that she didn't notice Dave, who had been standing beside her the entire time, staring at her with a heavy gaze.
When she finally snapped out of her trance, she realized that only she and Dave were left in the living room.
Having no intention of having any interaction with Dave, she avoided his bewildering gaze and turned to leave. But he suddenly grabbed her wrist, and his controlled, angry voice rang out.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"It's none of your business!"
As she spoke, Laurent forcefully tried to shake off his grip, attempting to break free from his hold.
Her indifferent words only made Dave angrier. With a forceful tug, he pulled her into his embrace, and they stood face-to-face.
At such a close distance, Laurent could see the veins on his forehead bulging from his anger. Through gritted teeth, he questioned her.
"Are you satisfied now, making this family a mess?"
Hmph.
It was her fault again.
She knew it.
From start to finish, in his eyes, she was nothing but a mistake.
It was her fault he couldn't be with Clark. It was her fault he wasn't happy. It was her fault they got married, and her fault they were getting divorced. It was her fault his parents got divorced.
Perhaps her heart had already sunk to the point of utter despair. When faced with his questioning, she simply lowered her head, then suddenly bit down hard on the hand that was gripping her tightly. After he released her in pain, she turned and ran.
The deep bite marks on his palm marked her silent fury.
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