It was morning. Ethan stood on the balcony, gazing at the cloudy sky, lost in thought. The conversation from last night replayed in his mind, every word echoing like a quiet ache. He remembered Alicia's tearful eyes when she said she liked someone else. Those eyes had spoken the truth he didn't want to hear—she loved Sebastian now. Ethan could do nothing but watch her drift farther away from him.
A sudden knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts. He stepped back into the room and stood before the door. A familiar voice followed. "Ethan, it's me, Alicia."
His heart skipped a beat. He opened the door, and there she was—Alicia, dressed in a simple, formal white gown. Ethan managed a faint smile. "What is it?"
"I want to talk, if you don't mind," she said softly.
"Oh, alright. Come in," Ethan replied.
Alicia sat on the edge of the bed while Ethan took a seat beside her, keeping a small distance. She lowered her gaze. "I must have hurt your feelings, Ethan."
He looked down and replied calmly, "It wasn't your fault."
She tried to meet his eyes, but he avoided her gaze. After a brief silence, she whispered, "Only if you had come sooner, Ethan… I would have been with you."
Ethan lifted his head and finally met her eyes. She was crying. The sight of her tears broke something inside him. He reached out, hesitated for a moment, then gently patted her head. "It's not your fault," he repeated softly.
But Alicia couldn't stop crying. Ethan stood, then leaned down and wrapped his arms around her as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Stop crying, Alicia," he murmured. Then, trying to lighten the mood, he added in a teasing tone, "I'm not a babysitter who makes kids stop crying. But if you pay me, I might consider it."
Alicia let out a small laugh through her tears. "Very expensive treatment," she said.
Ethan smiled and cupped her cheeks, lifting her face gently. Their eyes met, a quiet warmth passing between them. He wiped her tears and said softly, "Now, give me a smile."
Alicia smiled faintly. "Now happy?"
Both laughed together, their laughter carrying a bittersweet peace that words could not describe.
Ethan sat back down beside her. For a few minutes, they talked about little things, trying to fill the silence with laughter. The room felt light and calm, the kind of peace that hides sorrow underneath. But no matter how much they tried to smile, the memory of last night lingered like a shadow between them.
Gradually, the laughter faded. Alicia's smile weakened, her eyes lowering to the floor. She looked uneasy, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her gown. Ethan noticed it right away.
"Don't hold back," he said softly. "Tell me what you want to say."
Alicia hesitated. For a long second, she sat still, her breath shallow. Then, with trembling hands, she looked up at him and spoke in a quiet voice that carried both guilt and sadness.
"I… I'm leaving Camden," she said. "Today. Forever."
Ethan froze. His chest tightened, but his face stayed calm. "Leaving?" he repeated.
She nodded, her voice breaking. "I'll be shifting to Sebastian's residence. The engagement is tonight… I wanted to tell you last night, but I didn't get the chance."
The air in the room grew heavy. Even the morning light through the balcony seemed dim, as if the world itself didn't want to interrupt their silence. Ethan said nothing at first; he just stared at the floor, his eyes empty yet full of something unsaid. Ethan's voice was quiet, almost breaking. "So, it's going to be official… your engagement."
Alicia nodded softly. "Yes."
For a moment, silence filled the air like a weight pressing on both of them. Then Ethan forced a faint smile and said, "I hope he makes you happy."
Alicia's lips trembled as she whispered, "Ethan…" Her voice carried a pain she could no longer hide. She wanted to say more, but no words came. Instead, she stood up slowly, wiping the last trace of tears from her eyes.
Ethan didn't move. He just watched her quietly, memorizing her one last time.
Alicia walked to the door, her hand lingering on the handle for a moment. "Goodbye, Ethan," she said softly without turning back.
The door closed behind her with a faint sound, leaving Ethan alone in the stillness of the room. The laughter from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a silence that echoed heavier than words.
After the door closed, Ethan stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where Alicia had just been. The silence in the room felt endless, the kind that echoed in the chest more than in the air.
He walked slowly toward the bed and sat down, his hands resting on his knees. Then, as if all the strength had left his body, he lay back, staring blankly at the ceiling. The sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, painting faint golden lines across his face.
He could still smell her perfume in the air, still hear her voice trembling as she said goodbye. Each second felt like a reminder of what he had lost, of what he could never have again.
His eyes began to blur, and he whispered to himself, almost in disbelief, "She's really gone."
The ceiling above him felt endless, like the sky he once wished upon. But now, even the sky seemed too far to reach. After lying there for a while, exhaustion slowly pulled Ethan into a restless sleep. His thoughts wandered between memories of Alicia's smile and the pain in her voice.
About an hour later, the sound of a car engine reached his ears. It wasn't loud, but it was enough to stir him awake. Something in his heart already knew what it meant. He got up and walked toward the balcony, his steps heavy and quiet.
Outside, near the mansion gate, he saw Alicia standing beside her luggage. Duke was there too, speaking to the driver, unaware of the eyes watching from above. Alicia opened the car door, but before getting in, she looked up for a brief moment—as if drawn by instinct.
Their eyes met.
That one look said everything words could never express. Her gaze carried sorrow and apology, while his held nothing but quiet acceptance. She hesitated for a second, then got into the car. The door closed, and soon the vehicle began to move away, disappearing beyond the garden walls.
Ethan stood still, his hands resting on the cold iron railing, watching the car fade into the distance until it was no longer visible. The wind brushed past him, carrying away the last trace of her scent.
A moment later, Daniel stepped onto the balcony. He followed Ethan's gaze toward the road and said softly, "So she left."
Ethan didn't reply. He just gave a faint nod, his eyes still fixed on the horizon where Alicia had vanished. Ethan said "Daniel i-" than Daniel said without making him complete his sentence "i know what happened so need for explanation" than Ethan said "He just gave a faint nod, his eyes still fixed on the horizon where Alicia had vanished. Ethan said "Daniel i-" Daniel said, without letting him finish his sentence, "I know what happened, no need for an explanation."
Ethan took a deep breath and said quietly, "My only sin was to love her, my eternal punishment is to live without her."
Daniel nodded slowly. "At least you got to know your punishment, so no need for more stress."
Ethan gave a weak smile. "Yeah, you're right." He looked down and clenched his fist. "Only if I had proposed to her sooner."
Daniel patted his back. "At least you did it now." He paused for a moment before saying, "Mr. Duke is waiting for us in the hall. He invited both of us for… Alicia's engagement tonight."
Ethan's eyes lifted to meet Daniel's, tears glimmering in them. "How can I watch her getting engaged to another man, Daniel? I just can't bear it. You go. Tell him I have some work to do."
Without pushing Ethan further, Daniel gave a faint nod and said softly, "Okay, as you wish." Then he quietly walked away, leaving Ethan alone on the balcony.
The room fell silent. Ethan stood there motionless, his eyes still fixed on the distant road where Alicia's car had disappeared. The wind brushed past him, cold and heavy, carrying the faint echoes of her laughter that once filled his world. He closed his eyes, and a single tear slipped down his cheek. For the first time, he understood how silence could scream louder than words. After an hour, Daniel came back and went straight to Ethan's room. The lights were dim, and the soft breeze from the balcony curtains whispered through the silence. He saw Ethan still awake, sitting in the same place on the balcony, motionless, his eyes lost somewhere in the night sky. It felt as if time had stopped for him, like he was trapped in a moment he could not escape.
Daniel stepped closer and said softly, "You're still awake?"
Ethan didn't respond, his gaze fixed far beyond the horizon, as if waiting for something that would never return.
Daniel sighed and leaned against the door frame. "I came back early to check on you," he said gently. "Mr. Duke is still at the ceremony. The engagement is being held at Sebastian Blackwood's residence."
Ethan's fingers tightened on the chair's armrest, but he didn't look up. His lips moved slightly as if forming words, but nothing came out.
Daniel hesitated for a moment before continuing, "You know… Alicia was looking for you before she left. She wanted to see you one last time."
Ethan's expression didn't change, but the silence between them grew heavier. Daniel continued quietly, "She kept turning around before stepping into the car… maybe hoping you'd come."
Finally, Ethan turned his face toward Daniel. His eyes were red, yet empty, carrying a quiet ache that words couldn't describe. "Maybe it's better she didn't see me," he said in a faint voice. "Goodbyes hurt more when they're spoken."
Daniel looked at him for a moment, realizing there was nothing he could say that would ease the pain. So he simply nodded and left the room quietly, leaving Ethan alone with the silence once again.
The night grew colder. Ethan leaned back in the chair, staring at the stars that refused to fade. For him, the world had gone still, but his heart kept echoing her name in every breath. He let out a quiet sigh, his gaze still fixed on the endless sky. "Should I be happy, or should I be sad?" he whispered to himself. Then, a faint smirk crossed his lips. "What a strange thing human nature is," he murmured, almost amused by the irony of his own emotions. than Ethan went back to his room from the balcony he saw a envelope was there looks like Daniel left that envelope now he sit on the edge of the bed he opened the envelope and saw for Ethan with curiosity he opened envelope and saw it is a letter from Alicia his heart beat got increased and he start reading it
Dear Ethan,
I don't know if I'll ever have the courage to say this to your face, so I'm writing it instead. I wanted to see you tonight, even for a moment, but you weren't there. When I looked around and couldn't find you, I felt something sink inside me. Maybe you couldn't come… or maybe you didn't want to. Either way, I understand.
Daniel said you stayed behind, so I asked him to give you this letter. I'm sorry, Ethan. I never meant to hurt you. I loved Sebastian, and maybe that's my truth, but a part of me wishes things had been different. Only if you were him, I would have been with you. Or if I had fallen in love with you first, maybe life would have written another story for us.
My father was happy tonight, and Sebastian too, when I stood beside him as his fiancée. I smiled for them, but my heart felt heavy. I wanted to see you. I wanted to talk to you, even if just for a moment, but fate had other plans.
Ethan, I'm sorry. I'm not the person who deserves your love for eternity. I couldn't be the one who held your hand when you needed someone the most. You never deserved the pain, yet I became the reason for it. Please don't hate me.
You were kind, patient, and real. And maybe in another life, I would have chosen you without hesitation.
With regret and farewell,
--Your love Alicia--
Ethan lay on the bed, the letter resting loosely in his hand, his eyes fixed on the ceiling as the words replayed in his mind. Every sentence felt like a soft wound, gentle but deep. He murmured quietly, almost to himself, "You didn't have to say sorry, Alicia." His voice trembled, filled with a kind of ache that words could never hide.
After a moment of silence, he whispered again, "Even if you love someone else, I will always love you… for eternity." His gaze grew distant, and a single tear slipped down the side of his face. "I just hope he takes care of you and gives you the love you truly deserve," he said softly, his tone breaking at the end.
He closed his eyes and let the memories flood in—their laughter, the balcony under the moonlight, the way her eyes glimmered whenever she spoke his name. Each memory felt like both a gift and a curse.
Outside, the weather began to shift. Clouds gathered, covering the pale sky, and soon the first drops of rain tapped against the balcony railing. A thunderclap followed, echoing through the room. It was as if the world itself shared his grief.
Ethan turned his head toward the balcony, watching the storm rage. A faint, tired smile curved on his lips. "So this is what humans call love," he whispered, his voice lost in the sound of the rain, "beautiful… and painful."
Two years had passed. Ethan and Daniel, now both twenty-three, worked under the Duke with unwavering loyalty. They handled his business affairs, advised him in meetings, and protected his reputation like devoted knights. Life seemed stable, but Ethan's heart had never truly healed. He still thought of Alicia, and sometimes, late at night, of his father—who hadn't seen him even once in all these years.
That night at the ballroom, when Ethan had proposed to Alicia during the company's grand collaboration event, his father had left early without a word. Since that moment, silence had grown between them like a wall neither could cross.
It was now the year 2003. In Ethan's room, he and Daniel sat together discussing the Duke's upcoming projects. Their talk soon turned to laughter, teasing, and light-hearted jokes that filled the room with life. For a while, it felt like the world outside had paused, and the shadows of the past had faded away. A servant knocked at the door and said, "Mr. Duke is calling both of you to the guest room. Some guests have come to meet you." Ethan and Daniel exchanged a confused glance, wondering who could possibly be there to see them. Without a word, they followed the servant to the guest room.
As they entered, they saw Duke sitting on the couch. In front of him was Haruto Kenji, whom Ethan had met two years ago at the ballroom during the collaborative company announcement. Beside Kenji sat Henry Foster, Ethan's stepfather, and on another couch, a lawyer quietly waited.
The atmosphere in the room felt unusually heavy. Daniel's eyes brightened when he saw his father and he immediately ran to hug him, the warmth of reunion lighting his face. Ethan, however, remained still, his mind full of questions. He stepped forward with a faint smile and said, "How are you, Uncle Henry?"
Henry gave a short nod. "I'm good…" he replied softly.
Kenji rose from his seat, placing a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Do you remember me, kid?" he asked with a kind smile.
Ethan managed a small grin. "Yeah, I do. Motivational speaker Kenji."
Kenji chuckled. "Haha, what a funny kid you are."
Ethan's expression hardened slightly. "So, what business do you have with me?"
Kenji's tone grew serious. "Before we talk about business, there's something we need to tell you."
Duke stood up, his face solemn. "Ethan, this is something you should know."
Ethan frowned, his heart starting to race. "What do you mean?"
Duke hesitated, then said quietly, "Well… it's unfortunate and sad news."
Ethan's voice grew sharp. "Stop running around the bushes and come to the point, Mr. Duke."
Duke finally said it, his tone heavy. "Your father died two weeks ago."
The words struck Ethan like a blade. His eyes widened in disbelief. In anger, he grabbed Duke by the collar. "This isn't a funny joke, Mr. Duke!" he shouted, trembling with rage.
Daniel quickly rushed to pull Ethan back. Henry stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Duke. "It's true, Ethan," Henry said quietly. "He's gone. Your father passed away."
Ethan's body froze. His eyes filled with tears as his voice broke, "And you're telling me now? Where the hell were you two weeks ago?"
Tears slid down his cheeks as Daniel slowly released him. Ethan fell to his knees, trembling, his voice choked. "How did this happen? Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?"
Kenji knelt beside him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "I met him one day before he died," he said softly. "He told us not to tell you. He didn't want to put you under stress."
Ethan let out a bitter laugh through his tears. "Stress? A cold father who never cared about his own son didn't want to stress me? The same father who called me worthless now suddenly cared about my peace of mind? Wow. That's… shocking."
Without warning, Kenji slapped Ethan across the face. Everyone in the room froze, even the lawyer stood up in shock. Kenji's voice was firm, filled with emotion. "If you have even a shred of shame, read this," he said, handing Ethan a folded letter. "Then you'll understand what kind of burden Rowan was carrying. We've already laid his body to rest in the graveyard and paid our respects."
Ethan's hands trembled as he took the letter from Kenji. His tears blurred the ink as he unfolded it, ready to read the final words of his late father.
Dear Ethan,
If you are reading this, then I am no longer in this world. I don't know how to begin, because words were never my strength, especially when it came to you. I was a man who built an empire, yet I failed to build a bond with my own son. That is a regret I will carry to my grave.
Ethan, you have grown into a man stronger and wiser than I could ever hope to be. I may not have said it aloud, but I was proud of you, quietly, in my own way. Every time your name reached my ears, I felt something I could never express, something that reminded me of how much I missed being part of your life.
When your mother passed away, I lost more than just my wife. I lost my will to live as the man I once was. I began to fear loss so deeply that I thought pushing you away would protect me. I see now how wrong I was. My silence built a wall between us, and my pride stopped me from breaking it down.
I wanted to meet you during the last gathering at the mansion two years ago, to speak to you one last time, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I was ill, Ethan. The doctors had already given up on me, and I didn't want you to see me in such a fragile state. I thought keeping it from you would spare you the pain
I know I was never the father you deserved. For every harsh word I said, for every moment I stayed distant, I am truly sorry. You didn't deserve the coldness I gave you, nor the burden of being the son of a broken man.
By the time you read this letter, I will already be resting beneath the earth. But know this, Ethan—my heart, as flawed as it was, always carried love for you. You are my greatest pride, my truest legacy, and my only peace in the life I am leaving behind.
Be strong, my son. Live your life without bitterness. Carry the Ashford name not as a weight, but as a promise—to be better than I ever was. And when you look at the sky or feel the rain, remember that somewhere beyond, your father is still watching over you.
With all my love,
Rowan Ashford
Ethan's hands trembled as the last words of the letter slipped from his lips. For a moment, silence filled the room, so heavy that even the air felt still. Then, his eyes welled up, and tears began to stream down his face.
Daniel, unable to stand still any longer, knelt in front of him and pulled him into a tight embrace. Ethan buried his face in Daniel's shoulder, his voice breaking with every word.
"Why, Daniel… why do I always lose the people I love the most… why…" His sobs echoed softly through the room.
Daniel couldn't say anything. He just held him tighter, his own tears falling quietly. He knew no words could heal the kind of pain Ethan was feeling. Henry turned his face away, his eyes red. Even Kenji and Duke stood still, their expressions heavy, unable to do anything but watch. The lawyer lowered his head, out of respect for the grief that had filled the room.
After a long silence, Kenji stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Ethan's shoulder.
"Ethan," he said softly, "Rowan told me to take care of you after he was gone. He wanted you to find peace, far from all this chaos. Come with me to Japan. It was his last wish."
Duke nodded, his voice low but firm. "Yes, Ethan. You should go. It will help you heal."
Kenji gestured to the lawyer. "Please, hand me the contract."
The lawyer passed him a sealed envelope. Kenji took it and placed it in Ethan's hands. "This is the legal document of your father's company and his entire estate. You can inherit it… or transfer it to someone you trust."
Ethan looked at the papers, his vision blurred with tears. He gave a faint, broken smile.
"What am I supposed to do with all this… if my father isn't here to share it with me?"
No one answered. The silence spoke for them all.
After a moment, Ethan said quietly, "I'll give it to someone else."
Kenji looked at him. "Who do you have in mind?"
Ethan turned toward Henry. "Uncle Henry."
Henry's eyes widened in shock. "Ethan… no. I don't deserve this. You should inherit it. It's yours by right."
Ethan shook his head, his voice calm but heavy. "Uncle, I'm not in the mood to argue. I trust you more than anyone. Please… take it. I want you and Daniel to manage everything together."
Daniel wiped his tears, nodded, and said softly, "As you wish, Ethan."
Ethan stayed quiet for a long moment. His eyes were fixed on the floor, but his mind was far away, lost between memories and pain. Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder, but Ethan didn't look up.
"I'll go," Ethan finally said, his voice faint but steady. "If that's what Father wanted, then I'll go."
Kenji gave a soft nod. "He wanted you to find peace, Ethan. Not in money, not in business, but in yourself. Japan will give you that space."
Ethan managed a small, broken smile. "I don't know if peace even exists for me anymore, but I'll try."
Daniel's eyes grew wet again, but he forced a smile. "You'll find it, Ethan. Maybe not today, maybe not soon, but one day you will."
Henry stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Ethan's back. "Your father would be proud of you, son. You made the right choice."
Ethan didn't reply. He just looked around the room once more, at the faces that had become his only family. "Thank you," he whispered. "All of you."
As he turned toward the window, a cold wind brushed through the curtains, and for a moment, he felt as if his father was there, watching him. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
"I'll go to Japan," he repeated softly, almost to himself. As everyone slowly left the room, only Ethan and Daniel remained. Silence settled between them, the kind that carried more weight than words ever could. The air felt still, heavy with the ache of farewell.
Ethan turned toward Daniel, his eyes tired and red from crying. "Daniel," he said softly, "thank you… for everything you did. For standing by me when I had nothing left."
Daniel shook his head with a faint smile. "Don't say that, Ethan. You'd do the same for me. You always have."
Ethan looked down for a moment, trying to steady his voice. "You were more than a friend. You were the brother I never had."
Daniel's eyes shimmered with emotion. "And you were mine. You still are."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Then Ethan stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "Take care of yourself," he whispered. "And take care of Uncle Henry too."
Daniel's voice cracked as he replied, "I will. And you… you better find peace there, Ethan. Don't let your father's wish go to waste."
Ethan pulled away, smiling faintly through the tears. "I'll try. Goodbye, Daniel."
Daniel gave a small nod, his throat too tight for words. "Goodbye, Ethan."
Ethan took one last look at his friend, the one who had shared every burden and memory with him, before turning away. The echo of his footsteps followed him out the door and down the long hallway, each step pulling him closer to where he truly needed to go.
As he stepped outside, Kenji was standing near the car, his hands in his coat pockets. "I'll be waiting inside," he said gently. Ethan nodded without a word.
He returned to his room, gathered his belongings, and took one final glance around the mansion that had once been filled with laughter and arguments, memories and regrets. Then he walked down to the car where everyone—Duke, Henry, Daniel, the lawyer, and Kenji—were waiting.
Ethan looked at them and said quietly, "Thank you… for everything." He bowed his head slightly in gratitude, then opened the car door and sat beside Kenji.
As the car started moving, the world outside blurred past the window. Ethan didn't look back. His next destination was his father's grave. A place of silence, truth, and farewell.
The cemetery was quiet, wrapped in a thin mist that drifted between rows of gravestones. The faint rustle of leaves and the distant call of a crow filled the still air. Ethan walked slowly, holding a small bouquet of white lilies in his trembling hands.
He stopped before the headstone that read:
Rowan Ashford (1958–2003)
A man of strength, vision, and love.
For a long time, Ethan just stood there, staring at the name carved into the stone. The pain in his chest grew heavier with every heartbeat. Finally, he knelt down, placing the flowers at the base of the grave.
His voice came out low and uneven. "Hey, Father… it's me."
He tried to smile but couldn't. The tears he thought had dried began to fall again. "You know, I used to think you didn't care. I thought you were too busy building your empire to notice me." He paused, wiping his face. "But now, after reading your letter… I understand everything."
The wind picked up softly, as if the world itself was listening.
"You were the greatest father I ever could have," Ethan whispered. "Even if you weren't perfect, even if we didn't talk much, you still gave me everything. You gave me a name, a home, a reason to be strong."
He pressed his hand against the cold stone. "I wish I could've said goodbye properly. I wish I could've told you that I never hated you. I just missed you, that's all."
For a while, Ethan said nothing. Only the sound of his quiet sobs filled the air.
Then, taking a deep breath, he stood up. "I'll do what you wanted. I'll go to Japan with Mr. Kenji. I'll try to find peace, just like you wanted me to."
He gave a faint smile, one filled with pain and love. "Rest well, Father. You deserve it. And wherever you are, I hope you're proud of me."
As Ethan turned to leave, a light breeze brushed against his cheek. He closed his eyes, feeling it like a final touch from his father, and whispered, "Goodbye."
He took a few steps, then stopped. Beside Rowan's grave stood another headstone, smaller and older, its surface worn by time. Ethan slowly brushed away the dust, revealing the name:
Lily Ashford (1961–1980)
Beloved wife and mother.
Ethan's eyes softened. He knelt beside it, his fingers tracing the letters. "I never got to know you," he whispered.
He placed one of the lilies on her grave and smiled faintly through his tears. "You left the world when I came into it… maybe that's why he could never look at me without pain. But I hope you're both together now."
He stood up slowly, the mist curling around him like a quiet embrace. "Rest in peace, Mother. I'll take care of myself, and I'll make sure your name isn't forgotten."
Outside the cemetery, Kenji was waiting in the car. Ethan walked toward him, his steps steady but heavy. When he sat down beside Kenji, he looked out the window one last time, watching as the two graves blurred behind the fog—his past fading into silence.
The car began to move, carrying him away from the cemetery, The car moved slowly through the quiet streets of London, the sound of rain tapping gently against the windows. Ethan sat beside Kenji, staring out at the blurred city lights, lost in thoughts that words could never reach. His reflection on the glass looked distant, almost like a stranger.
Kenji glanced at him but said nothing. He could see the exhaustion in Ethan's eyes, the kind that didn't come from sleepless nights but from years of silent pain. He knew about Alicia, knew she had married Sebastian Blackwood. He also knew that Ethan had lost not just the girl he loved, but now the father he had finally begun to understand.
For a moment, Kenji looked away, his hand tightening slightly on the steering wheel. Then, in a low murmur meant only for himself, he said, "This boy… he's lived through pain most people can only imagine."
Ethan didn't react. He just kept watching the raindrops slide down the window, one after another, until the world outside faded into nothing but motion and memory.
The car continued toward the airport, carrying with it a broken heart, a buried past, and the faint hope of a new beginning waiting in Japan.
Renji chuckled lightly. "Well, half Japanese, half American. My mother was Japanese, but my father was American."
Tsubaki nodded. The question had slipped out because Renji didn't really look Japanese to her. His features were sharper, his hair a lighter shade than most, and below his left eye was a faint crescent-moon-shaped scar, the same one Ethan had in the story he told them. "Oh, I see," she said with a small smile. Then she turned to Ren. "Let's go to our room, Ren."
Ren groaned playfully. "Yes, ma'am," he said, rolling his eyes.
Tsubaki frowned. "Don't call me that."
"Alright, ma'am," Ren teased again, running ahead as Tsubaki chased him toward the hallway.
Renji sat quietly, watching them with a warm smile as they disappeared upstairs. Then he turned his gaze toward the open circular window, where a willow tree swayed gently in the night breeze. His smile softened as he whispered, "Soon… you both will know who I really am."
Time passed.
Two years later, Renji passed away at the age of thirty-seven. His death shattered Tsubaki and Ren's hearts. They buried him beneath the same willow tree he used to watch from the hall, the place that had always seemed to calm him. Some neighbors and a few close acquaintances came to pay their respects, offering condolences and quiet prayers.
Tsubaki and Ren both wore traditional black funeral kimonos, simple yet graceful. Ren's was the male formal wear, while Tsubaki's was the female mourning kimono, her hair tied neatly with a black ribbon. They stood side by side through the ceremony, silent and heavy with grief.
When the guests finally left, the house fell into a deep silence. Ren couldn't bear the sorrow any longer and ran to his room, tears streaming down his face as he shut the door behind him. Tsubaki stayed outside, sitting near the fresh grave, her hands trembling in her lap as she stared at the soft earth that now covered the man who had become their family.
After a while, an elderly man slowly approached her, his steps steady but gentle. "So, you're the two children Renji adopted, aren't you?" he asked, his voice filled with familiarity.
Tsubaki looked up, confused but polite. "Yes, sir. Who are you?"
The old man smiled faintly, a nostalgic glint in his eyes. "Just someone who was very close to that stubborn fool," he said with a small laugh that carried both affection and sorrow.
Tsubaki's lips curved into a faint smile despite her tears. "You must've been a good friend of Uncle Renji."
The man nodded. "You can say that." He reached into his coat and carefully pulled out a folded letter and a worn leather diary. "These belong to you both. He wanted you to have them."
Tsubaki gently accepted them, bowing slightly. "Thank you," she said softly.
The old man smiled gently and turned to leave. Before he disappeared down the path, he added quietly, "Take care of each other. He loved you both more than you'll ever know."
When he was gone, Tsubaki sat beside Renji's grave under the willow tree. She looked down at the diary, brushing her fingers over the name written on the cover—Ethan Ashford.
Her eyes widened. The pages inside were filled with names she had heard before—Daniel, Alicia, Sebastian, the ballroom event, the collaborative company. Every story matched the one Renji had told them years ago.
Heart pounding, she turned another page and began to read:
It was the year 2007. One night near Kawagoe Shrine, I saw two children—a boy and a girl—holding onto each other in the rain. The boy shielded his sister with his arms. I walked up to them and covered them with my umbrella. The boy looked up and handed me a white camellia he was holding. I smiled and told them they would live with me from now on. That night, I found the reason to live again, the one I lost when I lost my father.
Tears welled in her eyes as she flipped to the next page.
The children I adopted are named Tsubaki and Ren. Tsubaki is twelve—calm, intelligent, and thoughtful. Ren is ten—funny, kind, and full of life. They are my light.
Tsubaki smiled through her tears, laughing softly as she read about their days together—their first day of school, family meals, birthdays, and quiet nights. Every page was a memory of love she hadn't known ran so deep.
Then she reached the final entry.
One day, when they are ready, I will tell Tsubaki and Ren the truth. If I cannot, I will leave this diary with my dearest friend, Daniel. He will give it to them after I'm gone. I'm sure I will die before him, so I trust him to fulfill this one last wish—for my only friend, and for the family who gave me a second life.
Tsubaki froze. Her mind went back to the old man's voice, his calm smile, the way he said that stubborn fool. Realization struck her.
The man who had visited them wasn't a stranger.
He was Daniel Foster.
With trembling hands, she opened the letter that had come with the diary.
Dear my lovely kids Tsubaki ad Ren
Letter from Ethan (Renji):
If you're reading this letter, it means I am gone and buried beneath the willow tree.
First, I want to thank both of you for becoming the reason I lived as long as I did. You were the light that guided me when I had lost everything. I owe every smile I had left to you. And I'm sorry… for hiding who I truly was. I am Ethan.
When I came to Japan with Mr. Kenji, he gave me a new name, Renji, and told me to start again. He gave me a home in Kawagoe and made sure I never had to worry about money or work. He said I had already suffered enough and deserved peace, not pressure. For the first time, I lived quietly. No fame, no expectations. Just silence, and the sound of life moving on without me.
In my room, you'll find a card. It's special, one without limits. The company that once belonged to Mr. Kenji became mine after his passing. But now, it belongs to you both. The contracts are already signed. Together, you'll own everything I leave behind.
Use the wealth wisely. Help those who have no one to stand for them. Spend it only on what is needed, never on what fades. That's the only way to keep peace alive in a world that takes too much from us. Lastly, thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. I wasn't a perfect son, nor a perfect man, but I tried to live quietly with whatever heart I had left.
— Ethan Ashford (Renji)
As Tsubaki finished reading the last line of the letter, her hands began to tremble. A tear slipped from her eye and fell onto the paper, smudging Ethan's name. She pressed the letter tightly against her chest, her heart aching with a mix of love and grief. Slowly, she looked toward the grave beneath the willow tree, her lips trembling.
"Thank you… Uncle Renji," she whispered, then paused as her voice broke, "No… thank you, Ethan." Her tears flowed freely now. "For everything you did for us, for giving us a home, for protecting us, for smiling even when you were hurting inside."
She knelt beside the grave and gently placed her hand on the soil. "You suffered so much, yet you still gave us happiness. You deserved peace more than anyone." Her voice quivered with sorrow and gratitude.
The willow leaves swayed gently in the breeze, and the sunlight filtered through the branches, painting soft patterns over the grave. It felt as if the world itself was listening. A warm wind brushed against her cheek, tender and calm, like Ethan's final goodbye.
"I promise," Tsubaki whispered, her tears glistening, "we'll live the way you wanted us to. We'll help people, stay kind, and keep your name alive."
She smiled faintly, stood up, and gazed at the willow tree that had sheltered so many of their memories. "Rest well, Ethan. You're finally home."
Just as she turned to leave, a single white camellia drifted down from the willow and landed softly on the grave. She stopped and looked back, her eyes full of tears but her smile calm and peaceful.
"Goodbye… Father," she said softly.
Behind her, Ren had been standing quietly, listening to every word. Tears streamed down his face as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. "He really loved us, didn't he?" he whispered.
Tsubaki hugged him tightly. "Yes," she said, her voice steady now. "More than we ever knew."
The two stood together beneath the willow tree, the white camellia resting on the grave, as the wind carried Ethan's story into the quiet sky.