No One’s Fault (2)

* * *

"I don't understand why he's like that and perhaps I would never understand him for whatever reason he has... It hurts me to say this but Dad, he's beyond saving. He's stubborn and selfish. He would never accept his faults and would continue to insist that he had done nothing wrong... To be honest, I thought it ran in the family seeing that Daniella was the same..." Joaquinn said and even to him, his chest felt a little heavy just like Elder Sullen was feeling. He tried and tried to understand their father because despite how he is, he was still their father. The same blood was running in their veins and he thought that if he tried harder, one day Gared would change even just a little. But as years passed and Joaquinn hated that he was becoming like their mother who helplessly died trying to make their relationship and family work.

Joaquinn didn't want to give up because it was what their later mother would have wanted, but... for Maverick and Ashton, he would do anything for them to be happy and free from pain. They had suffered enough, especially Maverick, Joaquinn was sure their mother would have wanted them to be happy than suffer like her and in the end die a miserable death. Perhaps, their mother would have made the same decision as him if she had lived longer.

"I'm sorry grandpa, for keeping all of this to you. We all know you adored our family so much and wished for us to be happy and support each other just like grandma would like if she was alive... We tried and pretended for many years. We endured and suffered for it… but I could no longer stand still and watch Dad do what he did to Mom to Mav," Joaquinn finished, his eyes feeling a little hot. Most people would think that they were happy and blessed to have been born in such a wealthy and powerful household but none of those people knew how much he wondered how it would be if he and his brothers were just normal—No reputation to protect. No people pointing out their mistake. No expectations. And no pressure—maybe they would have been way happier.

"You did whatever it is you could do to protect this family and I am proud of you... You did nothing wrong... On the contrary, I wish I had known all of this way back when you Helen was alive... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry I wasn't aware you were all in pain all this time," Elder Sullen said, squeezing Joaquinn and Maverick's hands. His heart ached painfully as his tears stream down uncontrollably. He felt weak and breathless but he knew he had to apologize to the two at least. All of this could have been solved if they talked but it had become like this. This was all his fault no matter what everyone else says.

"N-No... this wasn't your fault, Grandpa... We took great effort to keep you from knowing all of this. We know that you only wanted what was best for us, that's why we chose to endure everything. We wanted you to be happy. It was all for you, Grandpa," Maverick said, tears streaming down as well. In the first place, if he wasn't desperate for his father's attention, none of this would have happened.

"No Dear, this wasn't what I wanted. A Family pretending to be happy would be no better than a broken family. I want you—my grandchildren—to be the happiest from the bottom of your hearts... I would never be happy knowing that you're all suffering..." Elder Sullen said, this time urging Daniel to come closer as well before the four of them hugged. While this was all happening, Ashton was somewhere listening to their conversation. When he walked out earlier, he realized that he was wrongfully blaming their innocent grandfather and he wanted to apologize. When he came back, they were already talking and it would have been awkward if he was to barge in so he silently listened from afar and now crying on his own.

Ashton was the youngest among the three siblings but he was forced to mature early in order to protect his older brother. He wasn't complaining or anything but he won't deny that he felt a little regretful that instead of playing like a child, he was already thinking of how to keep his sibling safe. Wiping his tears away, Ashton began walking away not wanting to interrupt the scene and decided he would apologize later on to the Elder.

After the short talk, Elder Sullen instantly felt tired and was advised by his doctor to rest. Everyone already expected this would happen so even though they were worried, they decided it was best to leave the Elder alone for now and let him rest just like what the doctor had said. They all watched Elder Sullen being escorted by his nurses and Mo Chendong until they could no longer see their retreating backs.

"Daniel, I know it's already late but I'd like to apologize to you. I've been meaning to tell you since but I couldn't explain our situation without making it sound like an excuse until now," Joaquinn said after he and Maverick approached Daniel who was standing next to Laotian. It's been years since their relationship had progressed into the talking stage—better than before—but all these years they have never approached Daniel to apologize until now. Of course, it wasn't the easiest because Daniel was genuinely a nice person and he readily and willingly forgot about the past as if nothing had happened and accepted them fully. They can also notice how the Omega had been protecting them from his husband who didn't seem to be fond of them from the beginning because of what had happened in the past and so all this time, all three of them—Joaquinn, Maverick, and Ashton—had been feeling guilty but they had to endure until the right time had come.

"Wha— Oh gosh! Please, you don't need to apologize... It's not like you did anything to me and actually, I noticed brother Quinn always looked at me before like you wanted to help me but couldn't. Yes, I was upset thinking you didn't like me in the house with you but that's all in the past now. It's unfortunate to know as well that you, brother Mav, and Ash were also suffering just like I was... maybe even more than I had experienced. Let's just forget all about it and move on with our present lives. I'm happy with mine now and I hope all three of you will be the same," Daniel smiled softly as he grabbed Joaquinn and Maverick's hands and squeezed them. He never really resented anyone, even Daniella before she had taken his Princess from him so it was all cool now. He was never the type to keep grudges anyway.

"Thank you..." Joaquinn voiced out in unison with Maverick who was so touched and couldn't help but pull his younger cousin into a brief hug. Daniel hearing it only smiled brightly and insisted that they should forget about the past so they can finally move on and start working on how to be happy from now on.

Shortly after the heartwarming scene, Maverick and Joaquinn decided to visit Elder Sullen briefly while Daniel and Laotian stayed in the living room with the kids along with Laura, waiting for a certain couple to arrive. Thankfully, they didn't have to wait long because after a little while, two figures arrived walking side by side. It was Tian Zi and Fyre like how they are normally and as always, Laura was the first to welcome them.

"Sorry, we're a bit late..." Tian Zi said not explaining the reason as his mother hugged him and then Fyre.

"No, it's fine... Are you fine now, Darling?" Laura replied before she faced Fyre, reaching out to caress his cheeks which made Fyre giggle. Even though Laura could already tell that Fyre was looking energetic and healthy, she still wanted to ask nevertheless.

"Hmm, thank you for asking, Auntie," Fyre replied softly with a charming smile. At this point, Tian Zi was no longer surprised that Fyre was acting sweeter and nicer in front of the Elderly compared to when he was talking to others. This was because he knew that the Omega had a soft spot for Elders. This might be because he had left home when he was still very young and until now, still had not gone and met his parents despite wanting to.

"That's great and I'm glad our Xiao Zi's taking good care of you. I wanted to celebrate your recovery but I had invited you at the wrong time, Darling. Still... Can you stay here with Zi for a day or two? It's been a while since you've visited us. If it weren't because you were hospitalized, we wouldn't have seen you," Laura said. There was a hint of melancholy in her tone but she still giving off a genuine smile indicating that she was indeed happy that Fyre was there and was eager to celebrate the Omega's recovery but witnessing earlier's conversation with Gabriel Sullen and his grandchildren, she didn't feel like it wasn't a great time to invite other guests over and have a happy gathering.

Actually she never expected that the Sullen family that she was so jealous about before when she got Daniel and Ian as her in-laws was actually not as perfect as she thought they would be. Back then she wished that her Mo Family would be as happy as the Sullens but right now, she felt bad knowing that her Mo Family was actually a lot better... Well, she is grateful but she wished for her old friend to be just as happy as well. Laura thought that, with Maverick coming out as an Omega, it was a great cause for a celebration and so she invited other people. Alas, she was wrong.

"It's fine, Auntie. I understand. And I will be staying here for the day then, thank you so much for always having me. Besides, Zi and I also had to talk with Mav about something and I missed talking to you and Uncle Chen too," Fyre sweetly replied, knowing full well what was the reason that the Elder woman's mood had changed when she was always the liveliest and happiest in the household whenever there were visitors around.

"Thank you, Darling... You can go ahead and talk to them then. I'll be around. Call me when you need something, okay?" Laura said dotingly before hugging Fyre again. Soon after the Elder left, leaving the rest in the living room. Fyre and Tian Zi briefly greeted Daniel and Laotian next before they decided it was time for them to talk about the important matters.

"I'll just go ahead and talk to Eldest Brother and Daniel," Tian Zi excused himself, adorably holding the hems of Fyre's clothes to catch his attention like a little kid.

"Hmm, okay. I'll go find Mav and Quinn too and talk to them," Fyre chuckled, finding the young Alpha's actions adorable before finally urging him to go where Daniel and Mo Laotian were waiting or else they'll just end up wanting to stay together again like what had happened before they left Tian Zi's house.

"I'll be quick," Tian Zi said, and Fyre chuckled again but this time pushing the Alpha away so he could go ahead already. Of course, Tian Zi was a little reluctant, feeling uncomfortable being separated from Fyre but in the end, he had no choice but to go as he saw the Omega go on to proceed to his own task as well.

* * *

To be Continued...