Marcus couldnât fathom the depths of the suffering she must have endured to accumulate such a sum.
Slowly, Marcus retrieved his phone from his pocket and opened the photo album.
Among the few pictures he had, one was of Melissa.
Despite their breakup and the resentment he once held, he couldnât bring himself to delete it.
Now, as he gazed at her image once more, his heart ached.
After a prolonged moment of silent contemplation, Marcus dialed a familiar number.
It still didnât get through.
Although he had mentally prepared himself for it, the result still left him with a suffocating disappointment.
He gently tapped his phone screen and couldnât resist revisiting the photo album.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Waylen entered.
Observing Marcusâ pensive expression, he stood by the doorway for a moment before offering a faint smile.
âWhatâs on your mind? Your sister called you from the stairs for quite some time, but you didnât seem to hear her.
â
Marcus pocketed his phone, snapping back to the present.
Marcus calmly folded the letter and tucked it into his pocket, but Waylenâs keen eyes didnât miss his distraction.
Waylen smiled and remarked, âWhatâs got you so engrossed there? You seem lost in thought.
â
âNothing,â replied Marcus, his expression guarded.
He rose from his seat and headed toward the door.
âIsnât dinner ready?â
As Marcus approached, Waylen placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and said, âMarcus, sometimes itâs okay to express your vulnerability.
Your mother and I wonât ridicule you.
Itâs just a breakup, after all.
â
Marcusâ tone remained indifferent as he responded, âIâm not getting into a new relationship.
â
Waylen sensed that Marcus might still be putting up a facade.
If not a new relationship, then perhaps an old one? Wasnât that what was in his pocket?
As they descended the stairs together, Waylen smiled and quipped, âIn fact, with the influence of our family, it wouldnât be difficult to bring Melissa back and have her marry you.
â
âDad, if something isnât meant to be, trying to force it wonât make much of a difference,â Marcus replied, his tone firm.
Knowing his son, Waylen didnât press the matter further.
Instead, he exchanged a meaningful glance with Rena.
Marcus obviously had not moved on from Melissa, as she would remain an inseparable part of his life no matter what.
During dinner, they avoided mentioning Melissa, but an air of tension hung over the table.
Unable to contain herself, Elva finally spoke up first.
âMarcus, while you were at Alexisâ place, someone from the Smith family paid a visit.
â