* * *
As Daniel listened to Ronald Ronner's words, he gasped in shock unable to believe. First of all, he couldn't believe when Ronald said that their father, apparently his grandfather, was able to kill or deliberately kill his own child. And secondly, Daniel didn't know his grandmother was an Omega, he also didn't expect that Susan Sullen had a twin brother who was an Omega.
"They used to run around together, they were indeed very close. I didn't know what exactly happened but she started hating Omegas when her twin died." Ronald added this time Daniel was interested in listening. Earlier it was a little bit awkward since Susan Sullen is a sensitive topic for him but it's not like Daniel isn't ready to hear more about her. At least this way, he'll learn more or at least something about the woman who chose to abandon him, wrong him, and despised him without an apparent reason for him to perceive.
Daniel actually doesn't need such information but he couldn't deny he craves it because no matter how much he's told himself that everything about her didn't matter, in the end, he still couldn't stop himself from wanting to know. Susan Sullen was still, after all, the woman who gave birth to him; and Daniel was not that cold-hearted to fully not care.
"I didn't know how little Harold died at first, I only found out later on when the butler told me on the day of his retirement. When I decided to separate Susan from her father, she was already brainwashed. It was too late, she suddenly hated Omegas so much, just like our father did." Ronald added again, mentioning the name of Susan's twin brother.
"W-Why did he hate Omegas so much? I mean, wasn't g-grandmother an Omega?" Daniel asked, if his grandfather hated Omegas that much, then why did he marry an Omega?
"Yes, he hated them but he couldn't resist the pull. There was no love between their marriage, father chose mother thinking he could control her easily knowing that she came from a low-class family however when Mother couldn't keep up with his expectations, he would beat her."
"I grew up watching her with fresh wounds and bruises, sometimes broken bones. That's why when she left, I felt relieved for her. I was genuinely happy for her, but for father, what she did was betrayal and his pride was hurt. His anger for Omegas intensified. Mother did try to take us with her but she was no match for Father."
"And then before I knew it, he passed on that hatred to Susan. He used her guilt to fully hate Omegas, Susan was young, and everything father told her was always the truth to her. Father knew back then Susan blamed herself for the death of her twin brother, giving father the chance to manipulate her into his ideals."
"He taught Susan that in order to not feel pain or guilt; she should hate Omegas instead and think they deserve whatever's coming to them." Ronald finished with a saddened sigh. Even now he still regretted that he wasn't able to see the signs. If he did, none of this would have happened.
". . ." Silence invaded the room, Daniel couldn't say anything. The atmosphere was so heavy.
"You must be asking why I told this to you," Ronald said, looking at Daniel's prominent features.
"Hmmm," Daniel simply nodded.
"I said this not because I want you to understand Susan or again, to forgive her. I said this because I want you to forgive yourself. I want you to know that what Susan did to you was not because you were not enough so that if you ever feel down, or ask why? You shouldn't blame yourself in the least. However, if you could ever find it in your heart to forgive her, that'll be your decision to make." Ronald encourages while holding Daniel's delicate hand gently as if begging.
"Thank you. I will," Daniel replied softly, what Ronald told him slightly stunned Daniel. He never thought that this man that he only knew now was worried about something like this that he came here to meet him. He was so touched and he felt the man's genuine emotions. And for some unknown reasons, he does feel a lot better. This is the first time he learned something about his family from the maternal side.
Daniel was also glad that he had an additional family member.
"I'm sorry, I started off with a heavy topic, but at least that is all out." Ronald apologized, laughing a little bit, making Daniel giggle as well.
*Chuckles* "That's okay, I'm really happy that I learned so many things about her even though she had never become a true mother to me. I was indeed, deep inside blaming myself for not being able to make her like me but now I understand. Thanks to you," Daniel smiled at the man genuinely.
"That's good..." Ronald sighs a relief before he stands up from the bed. "I went straight to the heavy topic and I wasn't able to ask your well-being yet... and apparently, new grandchildren are coming again. I heard from your father about your situation," Ronald smiled happily, lying a bit because he knew a certain Alpha at the far corner of the room would get mad if he told the Omega about what Susan Sullen did to him.
"I am truly sorry for what had happened." He added making Daniel shake his head.
"No, please don't apologize, this wasn't your fault. Also, the twins and I are now fine, I'm actually checking out tomorrow." Daniel said with a panicky smile, he noticed his newfound uncle has a bad habit of constantly apologizing.
"Oh, and if you want...you can come tomorrow for our family gathering. It's just a simple celebration Laotian and I are holding for my recovery," Daniel quickly invited, his eyes then looked at Laotian at the far corner.
"It's okay, right Laotian?" Daniel asked. Laotian who was all this time listening, nodded. He then stood carrying Luangmin knowing that the conversation had ended. He was initially against this meeting but he thought about what George Sullen told him yesterday and he thought he was right. If it's for Daniel's own good, he would never really be fully against it.
"Hmmm, thank you so much, I will not be missing tomorrow then," Ronald replied. "Also, thank you so much Mr. Mo for allowing me to have this meeting with Daniel. I can now be satisfied leaving this nephew of mine to you. I was initially planning to take him with me if he wasn't happy, but seeing that, that wasn't the case...I'm glad," Ronald mentioned which made Laotian frown, take Daniel away from him?
This man must be seeking death! Laotian thought glaring at the man which Ronald chose to ignore.
"Haha, thank you, Laotian has been so nice to me. No need to worry," Daniel chuckled, he couldn't blame the man from thinking this way, and after all, Mo Laotian was more than 10 years older than him and had great social status. Additionally, forced and unhappy marriages between socialite families are very common. Daniel was indeed very lucky and was just glad this new-found uncle of his was worried about him despite them only just seeing each other now.
"That's good, I will be at ease. Hmmm, and this is my grandnephew..." Ronald said, eyeing Luangmin which Laotian laid on the bed, the little man quickly crawled all the way to Daniel, curious who the man his mother was talking to.
"Yes, his name is Mo Luangmin. He's now 2 years old, he's a premature child so he had trouble walking and talking sometimes but that was just normal for babies like him, he's developing quite well and doesn't have major health problems," Daniel explained in case the man asks, why Luangmin doesn't seem to look like a normal two years old child; he was smaller and still very much looked younger.
"That's good; he's quite a bright child. I could tell. Next time I visit you I'll bring him lots of gifts. You two are the only ones left of my family, I want to catch up as much as I can for our lost time so please, you can call me Uncle from now on." Hearing this from the man, a gentle smile appeared on his lips, since he never thought he had an uncle on the maternal side of his family, Daniel was very happy about this meeting.
"Okay, Uncle...c-can I hug you?" Daniel shyly requested stunning Ronald a bit but later on, a gentle smile also appeared on his lips before he walked towards Daniel. They soon hugged each other briefly before they separated, both their hearts felt relief for unknown reasons.
For Daniel, he never thought that knowing that he had an uncle from his maternal side of his family, and meeting him now would make him happy. Additionally, the revelation earlier also set him free from his years and years of self-loathing, although forgiving Susan and or Daniella was impossible for him now, at least he knew that what they did to him was not because of what or how he is as a person. Daniel now slightly understands both women who hurt him so badly.
And for Ronald, he felt relieved and soothed knowing that he still had one family who accepted him. He had also been punishing himself for more than 30 years of his life; he blamed himself at what had happened to both Harold and Susan. He was the eldest child and yet he couldn't protect both his little siblings. For years he was suffering, he thought he never deserved to be happy, and now knowing that Daniel was okay, it cured him. He could finally see the light, it's like he forgave himself. He thought in the last days of his life, he should spend it happily without regretting anything.
* * *
After having long and fun chats, Ronald finally decided it was time for him to go. However, before he left, he requested to talk to Mo Laotian in private one last time. They are now in a café near the hospital. Laotian silently watched the man as he took a few tablets that have been handed to him by his personal caregiver. He didn't comment anything and he just waited.
"I apologize you had to see me like this." Ronald started, drinking his cup of coffee. "I will be getting straight to the point, truthfully Mr. Mo I don't have much time left. My doctor said I only have less than a year to live in this world." Ronald revealed casually and later on raised his hand and his assistant came in handing him a brown envelope.
"My company might not be as big as your company but I plan to give all my assets to Daniel and your children. It's the company I've been pouring all my life in all these years, I could give it to charity but knowing that I have a nephew that I will be leaving behind, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I know you won't wrong Daniel but I still want him to receive something in case unfortunate things happen."
"I know he doesn't need this much money, I don't care what he would do with it as well. I don't have the courage to tell this to him upfront, I'd rather hide this till the day I die so I apologize if I have to bother you with it. These are the list of all the accounts I have, use it in any way you want, and the main company, my lawyer already knows what to do," Ronald said straight on, he was glad the Alpha didn't ask anything and just accepted the envelope after a few moments of silence.
"Okay," Replied by Laotian monotonously earning a relief smile from Ronald. For Laotian, it may sound cold and heartless of him that he didn't care to know about the man dying but it was pretty difficult to care when he didn't know the man. But if Ronald Ronner wants to give his company to Daniel and their children, he would not decline as it was the man's wishes and it was for Daniel. He would never decline anything that is good for his Omega.
"Thank you."