Day Fifty-Nine…
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[ At Nathan's Cabin…]
"Dad, why are you packing?" Ethan asked his father in confusion. "Are you going somewhere?"
Nathan nodded his head. "I'm returning home tomorrow."
"Huh? Why, Dad? We are supposed to have a seven-day vacation trip." Ethan wasn't happy to hear that his father was going back to Country M.
"I have work, Ethan. You can stay here with them. But for me, I don't have any reason to stay here longer." Nathan's tone was cold when he said those words.
Ethan crumpled his face and pouted his lips. He was looking forward to seeing his father and Jane get along well during this trip. If his father goes back, then Jane would miss the opportunity to get close to him.
"Are you running away from your responsibility, Dad?" Ethan questioned him, crossing his small arms over his chest. He looked at his father sharply.
Nathan stopped what he was doing as he exhaled deeply. He turned around to face his son. He traced his steps towards him. Upon reaching his spot, Nathan bent over and held his son's shoulders.
"I'm not running away, Ethan. I have just accepted the fact I don't have a reason to stay here. I lose her, Ethan. And I just want to save my pride. That's all I have now. Staying here will only make me look pathetic." Nathan explained to his son. He was just being honest with himself. This was what he truly felt.
"Just accept it, Dad. Forget about her and move on. Instead of going back, why don't you spend some time with Miss Jane? Get to know her more!" Ethan suggested. He kept on insisting that his father should stay.
Nathan frowned because he felt like his son was playing a cupid again. But this time he was shipping him with Jane, instead of Abigail.
"Aren't you sad? You love Abi. You want her to be your Mom before. Why did you have a sudden change of heart?" Nathan asked Ethan in puzzlement.
Ethan fell silent for a moment, finding the right words to respond to his father. "I'm sorry, Dad. I know you are hurting. It's just that I witnessed how happy Miss Abi was when she was with Uncle Dave. I like her but I only wish for her happiness. I can let her go. She can't be my mother but she can be my Aunt."
Nathan was rendered speechless when he heard Ethan's response.
"Dad… let me ask you one thing." Ethan wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with his father.
Nathan just bobbed his head.
"Is hatred the only feeling you have for Miss Jane? Can't you forgive her because of my mother's death?" Ethan glanced at his father, anticipating his reply.
Nathan sighed deeply. He was uncertain about his feelings. But looking back, his anger and hatred towards Jane was slowly dissipating. Was it because of her identity as Shining Star or because a seed of doubt for Monica had been planted in his heart?
"Ethan… Stop asking me about my feelings for Jane. I just want you to know that things between us are a bit complicated. But I assure you… she will be punished for the crime she did to your mother. This is my promise."
"Will you send her to prison?" Ethan asked him again. Ethan was aware that killing someone was a crime and it was punishable by law.
Nathan couldn't answer him directly. Sending Phantomflake to prison didn't come to his mind. Before, his only goal was to torture her and kill her by himself.
"I haven't decided on that yet. Don't worry, I'll consult you and tell you my decision when the right times come." Nathan reassured Ethan, gently patting his head.
Ethan didn't want Jane to go to prison. But he couldn't bring it up to his father. He knew it was also unfair to his mother, Monica. 'Sigh. Can't they just move on from the past and start over?'
"Dad, I'm going to stay in Miss Jane and Miss Abi's cabin tonight." Ethan didn't argue with his father anymore. He could see that Nathan was determined to leave and go back to Country M. 'My Dad needs time to heal. I won't force him for now.'
After leaving Nathan's cabin, Ethan headed to Jane's. She was sitting on the balcony, looking absentminded. It seemed like Jane was lost in her thoughts. She failed to notice Ethan's presence.
"Miss Jane…" Ethan called her, sitting next to her.
Ethan's small voice caught her attention. She gazed down and greeted him. "Yes, dear? Are you going to sleep with us again?"
Ethan bobbed his head. "Yes, Miss Jane."
Jane's lips curled up into a faint smile as she held his hands. Unlike before, Jane felt like she had the right to face Ethan. If Monica was alive then she would no longer feel guilty for Ethan.
"How is your father doing?" Jane asked Ethan. She was dying to tell Nathan that Monica was alive, however, she didn't have proof yet.
"He is packing his clothes. Uncle Aiden and my Dad are going back to Country M tomorrow," Ethan informed her.
Jane was saddened when she heard that. 'He is leaving because Abigail ended things between them. I can only imagine his pain and sadness. He is heartbroken.'
"I think I know the reason why he is leaving so soon." Jane turned to her side, looking in the direction of Nathan's cabin.
"Why don't you convince him to stay?" Ethan tugged her hand.
Jane blinked and said, "Me? Your Dad won't listen to me."
"Just try it!" Ethan urged her.
"Okay. I'll talk to him." Jane found a reason to see Nathan tonight.
"Go, Miss Jane. You can do this." Ethan cheered her on.
Jane assessed her surroundings. When she made sure that no one was around aside from Ethan, she proceeded to Nathan's cabin. Ethan just stayed in Jane's cabin.
Knock! Knock!
Jane waited for Nathan to open the door. After five seconds, the door slid open. Nathan was surprised to see her.
"What are you doing here?" Nathan asked her coldly.
Jane saw Nathan's luggage at the back. He was done packing already.
"You're leaving tomorrow?" Jane asked him, instead of answering his question.
"It's none of your business," Nathan tried his best to sound cold and indifferent. But he couldn't look straight into her eyes.
"If it comes to you, you will always be my business," Jane replied.
Nathan lifted his eyebrow and asked, "Why?"
"Because…" Jane paused. Then she stepped forward, closing their gaps. She placed her hands on his shoulders as she tiptoed.
"I like you…" Jane whispered in his ear. Nathan's body stiffened when he heard that. His heart skipped a beat and he even felt the tingling sensation of her hot breath brushing his skin.
He just stood there with eyes filled with shock and disbelief. He never expected such a sudden confession from her. Before he knew it, Jane's lips landed on his right cheek, giving him a peck.
"Have a safe trip, Nate. Wait for me in Country M," Jane softly mumbled before she stepped back. She realized that Nathan needed some time and space so she changed her mind of convincing him to stay. But in the end, she confessed her feelings for him.
Jane already left the cabin but Nathan remained standing in his spot absentmindedly, his hand holding the cheek Jane kissed a while ago.
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