The Unfilial Daughter - Chapter 21

The enormous bedroom filled with expensive furniture reeked of melancholy. The cream walls seem dull and lifeless. And the air felt stale and stuffy.

"Why?" the sobbing voice of his wife continued, while he slowly guided her onto the king-size European bed and draped the beautifully embroiled burgundy comforter over her petite body, taking notice of how frail and haggard she had grown in just a matter of days. "Why did God have to take her away? Why didn't He give me a chance to love her?"

Following the death of their daughter, it seem as if his wife could not stop weeping and blaming herself for her past negligence, not much different from himself with the exception of his tears having flowed inwardly rather than visible to the eyes of outsiders.

His lips pressed into a thin line as he leaned back and dropped dejectedly onto a chair opposite of the bed, unable to find any words to comfort her. It was his fault that their daughter was dead.

Why did he not handle the matter more tactfully?

Why did he pay off the con artist knowing Karena would arrive soon?

His demanding persona and hectic schedule had always stood between his children and himself. He had never been close to either of them. For most of their childhoods, he had left them under the care of a hired nanny and the rest of the staff. His only participation in their lives was as a disciplinary, punishing them for not meeting his expectations. There was hardly a time he could remember giving either one of them a simple hug or an encouraging praise.

What kind of father was he?

Between his two children, he had neglected his elder daughter the most; for she was a girl and not the male heir he had wanted to continue his legacy. He was not unaware of his wife's harsh treatment toward their daughter and was not surprised by it.

Despite her exceptional looks he would have never married his wife if not for her family's connections in the business world. In his eyes, she was nothing other than a spoiled brat.

It had been an unexpected shock for her when she had learned that he wanted her to bear a child as soon as possible after their marriage. The idea had never crossed her mind, for fear of affecting her slim curvy figure, but she had learned the hard way that it wasn't a choice she was to make.

He made sure she would bear him an heir.

Perhaps that was very reason she cared so little for their flesh and blood.

She had never wanted their daughter and son.

But all that change the day at the hospital. The day their first child was pronounced 'dead.' It seemed to finally trigger her maternal instincts.

Unfortunately it was already too late.

"Karena," his wife cried, interrupting his thoughts.

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Try to get some rest."

*

Over fifty floors high, the view from window inside the executive office was magnificent. The sky was light blue. The clouds were white and fluffy.

"We should thank the driver that hit Karena Chen. Ever since his sister's death, Edison Chen hasn't not stepped foot into Chung Enterprises," he smirked, opening a bottle of wine then pouring it into two tall glasses. He handed the first glass to his associate then raised the other one to his lips. "Without him, our plan will go very smoothly. I've already bribed the architect to incorrectly place the main structure beams."

Without a doubt his mood was good. With Edison Chen too preoccupied to manage the project between Tse International and Chung Enterprises the easier it was to sabotage the development.

In the contract both companies signed, it was clearly stated that Chung Enterprises was responsible for the actually construction of the resort while Tse International funded the costs. If completion did not meet the agreed upon specifications or deadline Chung Enterprises would be liable for all the costs incurred by the project and owe Tse International a huge sum.

The debt would surely bankrupt them.

Daniel stared at his glass and frowned. "I don't agree with the plan. Not to mention I heard Tony Chung has already called Kenny Chung back from Beijing. He's sure to notice if the structure is constructed incorrectly."

The mention of Kenny Chung made Nicholas tense with distaste. He hated all the Chungs but Kenny Chung in particular. His sole fault being he was Charlene's husband. Despite being at fault for their union, he could not stand the thought of another man touching the woman he loved.

She was his and his alone.

A cold chuckle left Nicholas's lips. "He can't even keep his wife. What makes you think he can see through our plans?"

"I'm not going to let you go through with it. If the resort collapses hundreds of people will be die," Daniel's harden eyes met his own.

It was obvious the other held no affections for him. They were partners merely to accomplish a mutual goal.

Nicholas's jaws tightened. No one ever threatened him and he was not about to let the man in front of him be the first but for the sake of revenge he will appease him for now. "Fine, we're think of another way."

No one can change his plans.

*

In another executive office across the business district another argument just exploded.

A slender young female with long flowing black hair bit down on her lower lip to control the hot tears stinging her eyes as she stared at the man that rejected her.

Kenny Chung.

"What does she have that I don't?" she cried barely able to hold her voice steady. "We've known each other since we were kids. Everyone thought we were going to be a couple but you married her after knowing her for only a few days. And even now that she left you, you still won't consider me? Why?"

The Cheungs and the Chungs had been business as well as personal friends since the generation of their grandparents. Cecilia Cheung being an only child was extremely close to the Chung siblings, particularly the eldest. As they slowly grew from children to adults her feelings for him evolved from friendship to love.

It was him that stood up for her in school when classmates teased her about her skinny not yet developed figure.

It was him that caught and held onto her hand when she nearly slipped off the edge of the cliff during a school camping trip.

The entire upper society saw them as a couple. Even their parents thought they would marry some day.

But her world came shattering down when Kenny introduced her to Charlene, his newly wed wife. After meeting only a few days he married her while they have known each other their entire lives. Confronting him had only deepened her wounds, ever so calmly he told her he only thought of her as a younger sister, no different from Gillian.

How could he be so cruel?

To prevent further embarrassment and heartache she was on board a plane heading to France before the night was over and has been traveling ever since, from city to city, country to country. Always avoiding Hong Kong.

When the past seemed to finally be behind her, Fate brought them together again. Several days after arriving in Beijing, she ran into him outside the hotel where she was staying. All her past feelings for him resurfaced immediately as if the two years apart had never existed. And when she learned of his pending divorce, she knew Fate had deliberately arranged for their meeting.

Accompanying him back to Hong Kong when the elder Chung called for his immediate return, she was determined to fight again for what she had yearned for since childhood.

His love.

But now inside his office, he had rejected her for the second time.

Hurt written all over her face, she stepped back when he took a step forward. "Cecilia, don't be like this."

"Why Kenny? Why?"

"Cecilia..." he trailed, looking at her face. His eyes filled with concern.

"If you had never met Charlene would you love me?"

His only answer was silence.

"Can't you at least try? Can't you at least try to love me?"

Again he stepped forward but this time she didn't step back, instead she allowed him to pull her into his safe embrace, holding her tight with one arm and stroking her back with the other hand.

No matter what he will love her eventually, she swore.

*

Nightfall came once again, leaving the glass constructed nursery dark and quiet. Hidden beneath morbid haunting shadows, Edison's handsome features were only partially exposed by the moonlight coming through the large glass panels. Resting against one of the many pieces of panels, his breath was loud and heavy, reeking of alcohol. Empty cans of beer were shattered all over the cement floor, beneath tables and shelves of potted plants, each tossed carelessly after its contents has been deposited into his mouth.

With the exception of his sister's funeral, which had passed like a dream, he had locked himself inside the nursery. It was his sister's sanctuary but in here he found no peace. It was as if with her death, she had taken a part of him with her. And the truth was she really did.

She was his light.

She was his salvation.

But now she was gone.

His thoughts traveled back to a time many years ago, a time when his sister and him were mere children. He had accidentally knocked over an expensive vase in the living room. His father was very angry, intending to punish him with his thick leather belt. But he didn't get whip. That was because his fragile sister had taken the hit for him. That night she immediately burnt up with a high fever. He remember standing by her bed and crying. Fears ran through his little head. What if his sister was never to wake up?

His sister must have heard him, for she raised her gentle hand and wiped the tears from his chubby face. "Eddie, don't cry," she said. It was before she had a speech problem. "Don't worry, I'll be alright. I'll never leave you all alone."

An inaudible groan resonated from his throat expressing the pain that ate at his being, filling the darkness and causing the glass panels to shake slightly.

At this time a pair of female arms wrapped around him. His head immediately jerked upwards.

Karena.