Chapter 107: Susan Reacted

Richard walked over and Eli saw him “Uncle Richard,” Struggling to get free from Jace’s arms. Jace rather walked over and handed him over to Richard whose arms were open, ready to take him in.

“Eli, my dear nephew,” Richard said, kissing the little fellow in his temple. Eli crossed his little hands around Richard’s neck.

“Dad, your grandson” Richard said, tucking Eli to look at his grandfather. Adrian Delmark fixed his gaze on Eli and carefully stretched his hands, carrying the little guy.

He was already a grandfather when he didn’t even know about his daughter. He felt his heart heavy again. A terrible father like him should hide his face in shame.

“Immediately I saw him, I knew he was mine,” Adrian Delmark said and kissed Eli’s temple. The latter hadn’t met Adrian Delmark before, hence he looked lost, staring at the adults.

“He looks like me, Senator Adrian. My genes are stronger” Jace Hudson teased and Adrian Delmark smiled.

“As expected of a Hudson bloodline. But the fact that he is also a Delmark cannot be ruled out” Adrian Delmark chimed, his eyes turning to rest on Arianna.

“… how have you been Mom? I missed you very much. These years without you haven’t been easy. It has left me with pleasant and unpleasant experiences. But all in all, I am happy now.

How is it, up there? Many times I looked up into the sky, but I couldn’t recognise which of the stars was you. But I know that you are one of the brightest shining stars in the sky.

I love you very much, Mom and I missed you. Life without you is incomplete. I need you more now, than ever. I have a lot of questions to ask and only you have the answers” Arianna paused and sniffled. She picked a gravel and held it tight in her palm.

“One of the important things that happened to me these years is that I have a son, Mom. He is such a good, looking boy, smart and intelligent.

He is a Hudson. Do you know them? You should, Mom. But then, I’m with his dad now, he is my boyfriend and I think he loves me a lot…” Arianna said and cleaned a lone tear.

“But yesterday, Mom, I met Adrian Delmark. He said he’s my dad. He said he didn’t know about me all these years. Mom, I’m broken. I’m sad, I feel lost, Mom” Arianna said.

She looked around. There were fresh flowers. Her mom’s tomb was looking different and decorated than before. Who else was coming over to see her?

Does she have a family, a real friend, not the likes of Jane Delmark. She is confused. In fact, the flowers were still fresh and beautiful.

They probably were placed there that morning. She was wondering when she heard footsteps behind. She turned and saw Adrian Delmark walk closer to her.

She sighed softly and looked back at the tomb. He definitely was the one who always brought her mother flowers. If he really cared about her during her lifetime, he shouldn’t have left her for Jane.

Adrian Delmark placed flowers on the tomb and was quiet. He sat down next to Arianna and placed his right hand on the sand of the tomb.

He glanced at Arianna and then the tomb. “How have you been Susan?” Adrian Delmark asked. He glanced in front of him and saw how special Susan Santiago’s tomb was.

She was a beautiful woman in her lifetime. And even in death, her tomb is beautiful. Inwardly, he knew he missed his friend very much.

“I cannot count how many times we hurt each other. But I guess if it were to be counted, I hurt you more than you did to me. But we always learn to forgive each other, right?

That’s what kept us together as friends. We care and love each other. That’s the unique thing about us. You sacrifice for my happiness and I granted your request. It’s mutual, it always used to be” Adrian Delmark stuttered.

Adrian paused, and glanced around. He wished he could turn back the hands of time, their relationship wouldn’t have gone the way it was before her death.

“But you hurt me so much, Susan. Why did you keep my daughter away from me? Why wouldn’t you tell me you were pregnant after that time we met? Why did you raise her alone, when I am not dead?

You think I won’t accept her, love her and care for her, simply because she’s your daughter and not Jane’s?

Does it really matter if she’s you or Jane’s daughter? What mattered to me is that she’s my daughter, why didn’t you let me an opportunity into her life when you were alive?

I can’t love her less. Answer me Susan love. Susan love, that’s what I used to call you back then, even after Jane and I got married. Talk to me, I want to know why” Adrian Delmark pleaded.

Arianna was listening. But then a certain wind blew. It was so much on Arianna, blowing her hair. It blew it and covered Adrian’s face.

He used his hand to move her hair away but it didn’t. Arianna tried but couldn’t until Adrian said “Alright, Susan apologies accepted” and the wind gradually subsided until it stopped and Arianna’s hair was combed back to normal as if it was never touched by the wind.

Arianna was dazed. Was that her mom, did she hear Adrian’s words and react to it? Does it mean that she heard her too?

“Susan had always been like that. If you ever tell her that she hurt you, she would apologise and won’t stop until you accept her apologies. She’s such an amazing woman,” Adrian Delmark said and chuckled aloud.

Arianna gently stood up and wanted to leave when Adrian Delmark said “Sit Arianna. You and I need to talk” there is indeed a lot to talk about, but they would only say a little. For a lifetime, they will keep having things to say.

“You think I will listen to you?” Arianna snapped at him. She glared at him and saw the calmness on his face. Not bothered at all.

“Yes, I know you will. No matter what happens, I am your father and you will listen to me” Adrian Delmark stuttered.