44 It's Time To Really Cut Her Off Of My Life

When Shouko finally took the resin out of the mold, her eyes continued to sparkle brightly. Her hands were trembling in excitement as she looked at the newly-made resin placed in her small palm.

The colors of the petals of the pink peonies and baby's breaths were light so the finished product didn't carry the vividness of the flowers as the ones Teacher Makino brought as a sample yet Shouko was totally entranced by the simplicity of it.

Teacher Makino laughed softly seeing the young woman's delighted expression. "You could display this resin on any picture stand according to its size as well as hang them on the wall, whichever you see fit! This way, you could enjoy looking at the beautiful flowers all year round."

"I could make it bigger than this one, right? And even make it into a coaster?" Shouko asked, her mind had started to think of making various kinds of shape and size of resin art. "Once, I saw it in the size of a plate."

"Yes, you could try to experiment with it," Teacher Makino replied, she was affected with the little lady's enthusiasm. "But, the bigger the resin, the hassle would be the process. Plus, smaller resin art appears more delicate and beautiful."

Shouko listened to the woman's advice with great attention. She couldn't help but feel to try making them later. Maybe she should make one for Grandpa? Since both of them had a plan to meet anyway, she could gift it to the old man during their date.

While Shouko and Teacher Makino were immersed in their own world, Kyoya who stood silently at the side cast a glance at his own resin. His thin lips curved up into a smile. He silently put it inside a box and hide it away.

He would show it to her once they were alone.

It was already late in the evening when Teacher Makino left the villa with a satisfied smile. Her new student, the little lady, had tried making different kinds of resin after the first one. Once they realized it was already late, Mrs. Kashino invited her to stay for dinner but she politely refused it.

She had seen the eager look in Mr. Kashino's eyes when he heard that she would be leaving, how could she dampen the man's spirit? It was obvious he was waiting for her to go.

Teacher Makino wondered if the young man would show his artwork to his wife soon?

She chuckled at the thought.

"Wow~ I have made so much," Shouko sighed in awe, the beautifully made pressed flower resins were displayed on the table. "I should make a new one for Grandpa. These ones could be used to decorate the library."

Kyoya leaned his body sideways against the wall as he peered at his wife who was still busy with the resins. He pursed his lips into a straight line. Why did he feel like he was being abandoned by his wife?

He sighed in regret.

"Shouko."

He had just opened his mouth to speak when his phone suddenly rang. Kyoya felt bitter in his heart. Shouko turned around to look at him but he could only shake his head. Taking out the phone from his pocket, he answered the call with a grunt.

"Did I disturb something fun?" Ryota's teasing voice resounded from the end of the line.

"What is it?" Kyoya's voice was so cold as annoyance flickered in his eyes.

Kyoya waved his hand to Shouko, signaling he would go upstairs. Shouko answered with a nod. She wanted to ask him about his artwork yet he was preoccupied this time.

As she watched his tall figure disappeared at the staircase, she let out a soft sigh before she looked back at the first resin she made earlier.

She deliberately used the dried peonies and baby's breath. She wondered if he had noticed them.

"Do you remember the bidding of the piece of land in City A next month?" Ryota began to talk once he received the signal from Kyoya. Kyoya had just entered the study. "I heard Yamashita Group will join the bid."

Kyoya's brows wrinkled hearing the name. "Did they plan to move their operation here?"

"Maybe," Ryota shrugged his shoulders. "Their name might be big outside but their influence here is still minuscule. What do you plan to do?"

"Do nothing."

"What? Are you serious?" Ryota had almost coughed awkwardly hearing his cousin's simple reply. "If Yamashita Group started building its foundation here, that woman would remain here too. Aren't you afraid she would come to you whenever she could right now? Or even disturbing your life?"

"She won't have the opportunity," Kyoya glanced at the closed window beside him, his eyes landed on the surface of the lake. The beautiful orange and reddish colors of the horizon fell on the surface, creating a magnificent view to those who saw it. "I've told Shouko about her and it's time for me to really cut her off of my life."

"What? You have told her?" Ryota was scared silly. He almost couldn't believe whatever his cousin said. "Well, Grandpa did tell me that you planned to tell cousin-in-law about what happened but... I didn't expect you'd start with your childhood. Then, could I take it as you no longer hoping for her to return?"

As much as Ryota hate the woman and wanted Kyoya to ruthlessly turn his back on her, he knew his cousin couldn't bear to do so. It had been near thirty years but deep inside his heart, Kyoya was waiting for his mother to return to him.

If not for the foolish hope, that woman could no longer have the ability to disturb him.

It was great if it happened. Kyoya had been suffering for so long yet he was so stubborn. He was afraid of that woman yet he still longed for her. His cousin was really a complicated man.

Well, it was easy for him to say because he wasn't in Kyoya's shoes. Thus, Ryota could only support him.

"I've called my legal team to handle the process," Kyoya said in a low voice. The golden light of the setting sun fell on his features, casting shadows on his face. "She wouldn't get what she wants."

"En, it's good if you've taken the action. Then, just tell me if you need my help. Just enjoy your getaway with Shouko but, please expect a huge workload once you're' back, alright?"

"If I need to deal with them once I've returned, who do you think I'd drag with me for overtime? En?"

"You!"

Before Ryota could protest, Kyoya hung up his phone with a sneer.

Kyoya placed his phone back inside his pocket. He spun his heels, turned around and went to the bed. He fell on the bed, both of his hands went at the back of his head. His brows wrinkled before they gradually relaxed.

When Shouko asked why did that woman come to him back and he said he didn't know her motive, he was actually lying.

He felt bad doing so but he was reluctant to see Shouko continued worrying about him.

That woman left for the Country M and found a new money tree. She was furious because Grandpa denied her any of the inheritance Kyoya's father had left. Grandpa pulled some strings from behind and left the woman penniless.

At that time, although furious yet that woman still obediently left because Kashino Corporation was in the middle of an internal crisis because of his father's untimely death. She wasn't stupid enough to be caught in the middle of the fire. She only started showing up her face when the company began to strive again in the next few years.

His life was peaceful when he went to study abroad. The conflicted feelings he felt about her was still there yet he was able to suppress it.

Then, the next time he saw the woman was when he returned to the country to take over Kashino Corporation. It was a coincidence that he married Shouko within the month he had just returned.

What happened in the past few months should have sobered him up but his delusion was still strong.

That woman had caused his wife pain. He needed to stop being in denial.

That woman wouldn't ever change.