The next day, an uneasy silence settled over the room, thick enough to suffocate.

"Ahem."

Norma cleared her throat, the soft sound slicing through the tension. Her sharp eyes remained fixed on Hugo, who had yet to utter a single word since stepping inside.

She remembered Anna mentioning that Hugo wanted to meet them—personally. To apologize. To explain.

Despite everything, Norma hadn’t refused.

Not because she was ready to forgive.

But because she knew... this wouldn’t be the last time their paths crossed. They were bound now, whether they liked it or not.

Hugo shifted in his seat, his fingers fidgeting restlessly in his lap. The man who once commanded boardrooms and people alike now looked... uncertain. Small, even.

He had rehearsed this moment countless times.

Every word. Every apology.

But now, under Norma’s piercing gaze, all that preparation felt useless.

Daniel leaned back slightly, silent, his eyes moving between the two. He wasn’t intervening. Not yet. This wasn’t his moment.

This was between Hugo and Norma.

"Are you just going to sit quiet, Hugo?"

Norma’s patience snapped, her voice firm, cutting through the room.

They had been sitting here for nearly half an hour.

And still—nothing.

Hugo flinched, the weight of her frustration hitting him harder than he expected. His lips parted, then pressed together again as if he was still gathering the courage.

A few more seconds passed.

Then finally—

"I’m sorry... for making you all wait."

His voice was low, strained.

"But today, I am not here as businessman Hugo Bennett... or as Kathrine’s father." He paused, lifting his gaze cautiously. "I am here as someone who once had the trust and loyalty of George."

Norma’s expression shifted—just slightly.

At the mention of her brother, the sharp edge in her eyes softened, though not entirely. She didn’t interrupt this time.

Hugo took a breath, his chest rising heavily.

"I know... no matter how many times I apologize, it won’t be enough." His voice trembled faintly, but he didn’t stop. "And no matter how much I try to explain, it won’t change the truth."

"I failed him."

The words hung in the air.

Heavy. Final.

"I failed George... when he needed me the most. I chose to doubt him. I allowed others to manipulate me." His jaw clenched, regret flashing across his face. "And because of that... I lost him."

His eyes glistened.

"And I lost the right to call myself his friend."

Silence followed again—but this time, it wasn’t empty. It was filled with the weight of everything he had left unsaid for years.

"I will carry that guilt for the rest of my life," Hugo continued, his voice quieter now. "And I don’t expect forgiveness. In fact..." He swallowed hard. "I don’t think I deserve it."

A tear slipped down his cheek, but he didn’t bother wiping it away.

"I would understand if George never forgave me... even in death."

Norma’s fingers tightened slightly on her lap, but she remained silent.

Hugo slowly lifted his gaze again, looking between her and Daniel.

"But..." he exhaled, as if gathering the last of his courage, "I still want a chance to prove myself."

"I want to stand by you... the way George stood by me."

His voice steadied, not because the pain lessened—but because he chose to face it.

"I may not be trustworthy now. I may never be, in your eyes." He gave a faint, broken smile. "But I will spend the rest of my life proving my worth... even if it takes everything I have."

"I just..." his voice cracked, "...I just hope that one day... you might find it in your hearts to forgive me."

The room fell silent once more.

This time, no one rushed to fill it.

Norma inhaled slowly, her gaze unwavering as she studied him—not as an enemy, not entirely... but not as someone forgiven either.

"No."

The word came firm. Clear.

Hugo’s shoulders stiffened slightly, but he didn’t look away.

Norma continued, her tone steady, though not cruel.

"It’s not that easy, Hugo."

Her eyes hardened again, though there was no hatred—only truth.

"You don’t undo years of betrayal and loss with a few words and tears." She paused. "What happened to my brother... to his family... it’s not something I can just forget."

Hugo nodded faintly, accepting every word.

"I’m not saying I will never forgive you," she added after a moment, her voice softening just a fraction. "But I’m not there yet."

"And I don’t know when I will be."

That was the most honesty she could offer.

Beside her, Daniel finally leaned forward.

"I feel the same," he said calmly.

Hugo turned to him, a flicker of hope and fear both in his eyes.

Daniel met his gaze, unwavering.

"What you did... it can’t be erased," he continued. "And I won’t pretend everything is fine just because you regret it now."

Hugo lowered his gaze slightly.

"But—" Daniel added, his tone shifting, "I also believe in one thing."

Hugo looked up again.

"That people can learn from their mistakes."

A pause.

"And you have."

Daniel studied him carefully, as if weighing his sincerity.

"You didn’t come here to defend yourself," he said. "You came here knowing you’d be rejected."

"And still, you came."

That alone meant something.

"So," Daniel exhaled lightly, "I won’t forgive you. Not yet."

Hugo’s expression dimmed—but he listened.

"But I will give you a chance."

Those words landed differently.

A chance.

Not acceptance.

Not forgiveness.

But something... that could lead there.

"Don’t waste it," Daniel added quietly.

Hugo’s throat tightened, emotion surging all over again. This time, he didn’t try to hide it.

"I won’t," he said, his voice firm despite the tears. "I promise... I won’t."

And for the first time since he walked in—

The silence that followed didn’t feel suffocating.

It felt... like the beginning of something.

***

[Marcus’s Place]

"I’m glad nothing happened to you... and that you’re back safe."

Marcus’s voice carried a quiet warmth as he looked at Kathrine, his eyes soft with relief. Ever since Ethan had told him about her abduction, a restless unease had lingered in his chest—one that had nothing to do with his illness.

At first, he hadn’t understood.

Why would someone target Kathrine?

But once Ethan explained everything—the truth about Collin, the hidden schemes, the danger lurking behind familiar faces—Marcus had fallen silent.

It all made sense.

Too much sense.

He had wanted to step in, to do something, anything. But before he could even gather his strength, Ethan had already moved ahead, handling everything with a decisiveness Marcus hadn’t seen before.

His son had grown.

And now, sitting here, watching both Ethan and Kathrine safe and unharmed, Marcus finally felt a sense of peace settle within him.

For now, at least... things were calm.

The three of them sat together, the earlier tension replaced with a fragile comfort. Kathrine sat beside Ethan, her presence steady, grounding. Marcus watched them quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

But the calm didn’t last long.

"Have you considered what the doctor said?"

Ethan’s sudden question cut through the moment.

Marcus stilled.

For a second, he didn’t respond. His gaze dropped slightly, and then—he smiled.

A weak, knowing smile.

"It’s a hopeless case, Ethan."

The words were simple. Matter-of-fact.

But they carried the weight of acceptance.

Kathrine’s brows furrowed slightly at his response. She glanced at Ethan briefly before turning back to Marcus, her voice gentle but firm.

"But there can also be hope."

Marcus looked at her, his expression softening.

Hope.

It was a word he had long stopped holding onto.

The previous night, Ethan had received a call—from Dr. Martin, one of the best surgeons in the country. The moment Ethan learned about his father’s condition, he hadn’t wasted a second. He had gathered every report, every scan, every detail—and sent it across.

The response had come sooner than expected.

Marcus’s condition was critical.

Advanced.

Difficult.

Hopeless... in most cases.

But not entirely impossible.

There was a ten percent chance.

Just ten.

For many, that number would seem insignificant.

But for Ethan—

It was enough.

Marcus exhaled slowly, leaning back into his chair.

"Ten percent," he murmured, almost to himself. "Do you even hear how that sounds?"

"It sounds like a chance," Ethan replied immediately, his voice steady, unwavering.

Marcus shook his head faintly, a tired smile forming.

"It also sounds like ninety percent failure."

"And I’m supposed to put this body through surgery for that?" he added, his tone not harsh—but realistic.

He knew his limits.

His body wasn’t what it used to be. The treatments had already drained him. The pain, the weakness, the constant exhaustion—it had all taken its toll.

"I don’t think I can handle it, Ethan," he admitted quietly.

For the first time, there was something vulnerable in his voice.

Something uncertain.

Ethan leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on his father.

"You don’t have to decide based on fear."

Marcus looked at him.

"I’m not afraid," he said, almost instinctively.

Ethan didn’t argue. Instead, his voice softened.

"Then don’t decide based on defeat either."

The words lingered.

Kathrine placed her hand gently over Marcus’s, her touch warm and reassuring.

"You’ve already been fighting for so long," she said softly. "Why stop now... when there’s still a chance?"

Marcus’s gaze shifted to their joined hands.

A chance.

Such a small thing.

And yet... it suddenly didn’t feel so small anymore.

"What if it doesn’t work?" he asked after a moment, his voice quieter now. "What if I go through all that pain... and it still ends the same way?"

Ethan didn’t hesitate.

"Then at least you didn’t give up."

Marcus’s breath hitched slightly.

"You’ve always taught me that," Ethan continued, his tone steady but filled with emotion. "That we don’t walk away just because something is difficult."

"Or uncertain."

"Or painful."

He paused.

"So why are you doing that now?"

Marcus had no answer.

For the first time, his certainty wavered.

Kathrine squeezed his hand gently.

"You’re not alone in this," she added. "Whatever happens... we’ll face it together."

That... struck something deep.

Marcus looked at them—really looked at them.

At Ethan, whose eyes held determination and quiet desperation.

At Kathrine, whose presence carried both strength and warmth.

They weren’t asking him to fight alone.

They were offering to fight with him.

His chest tightened. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"...You two really won’t give up, will you?" he asked, a faint chuckle escaping him.

Ethan shook his head.

"Not on you."

Silence followed.

But this time, it wasn’t heavy.

It was... thoughtful.

Marcus closed his eyes briefly, exhaling slowly as if releasing something he had been holding onto for too long.

Fear. Doubt. Resignation.

When he opened them again, there was still uncertainty—but something else had taken its place.

A flicker of reluctant hope.

"...Alright," he said finally, his voice low but clear.

Ethan straightened slightly.

"I’ll do it."

Kathrine’s face lit up subtly, relief washing over her features.

"But," Marcus added, raising a finger slightly, "I’m not promising miracles."

Ethan’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile.

"I’m not asking for miracles."

"Just the chance," Kathrine said softly.

Marcus looked at them one last time.

And for the first time in a long while—

That ten percent didn’t feel like a risk.

It felt like something worth holding onto.