Chapter 134: Chapter 134: Devastating News
Tears welled up in her eyes when she received the devastating news about her father. Victoria immediately told Matthias about it, forcing them to postpone their lunch. Matthias drove his wife to the hospital, his heart breaking with remorse for hating an innocent man for so many years.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Victoria ran briskly in heels to her father’s room. She wasn’t the only one visiting; her stepmother and Fransisca had also come after hearing the devastating news. As she entered the room, the atmosphere felt incredibly empty and cold, staring at her father’s figure, now shrouded in a shroud. She cried loudly as she felt her father’s hand, which was no longer warm. Yesterday, she could still feel his warmth, which had always comforted her.
"Dad... why did you leave me? Didn’t you promise earlier that you would focus on your health so we could go on vacation together? My husband and I want to talk to you more today. Please open your eyes!"
The stepmother could only laugh awkwardly, pushing her shoulder. "You don’t have to act hypocritical in front of him! You shameless child!" The glare she gave the uninvited guest made her even angrier. "You have the nerve to show yourself here, Matthias! You’re the one who killed my husband!"
Victoria clenched her fists tightly. "Don’t say that to Matthias!" She slowly stood up and confidently embraced her husband’s hand. "The only person who appreciates me is Matthias! And all this time, you’ve only been able to push me away! Everyone doesn’t care about me, especially you!"
Matthias’ heart pounded when he heard his beloved wife’s words. "Victoria..."
The stepmother laughed awkwardly. "Do you still not realize how blinded you’ve been by his love? You lost your father because of him!"
"Enough! I don’t want to hear your crazy talk anymore! I definitely don’t want my father to see us fighting just because past problems have never been resolved until now!" His breath became increasingly labored as he stared at his father’s face, which was very pale even though he had previously looked excited. He still felt something strange about his father’s sudden death.
Suddenly, she felt a warm embrace, which calmed her heart a little. Staring at her husband’s stern face, she struggled to remain strong. She knew his intentions were to prevent her from appearing weak before their greatest enemy. She slowly covered her father’s body with a shroud and lifted his nearly collapsed body.
"I’ll take care of my father’s funeral. I don’t need your help."
Fransisca held her stepsister’s hand with a pleading expression. "Victoria, don’t act like this in front of my mother."
Victoria squeaked in annoyance, releasing her stepsister’s grip. "I’m so disgusted by the sight of you. I shouldn’t have been so lenient with you all these years." Furthermore, she was actually suppressing her nausea. She didn’t want to show it openly in front of her two greatest enemies, for fear that her child’s life would be in danger as well.
Matthias spontaneously grabbed his wife’s hand tightly. "Victoria, we should go out first while we prepare for your father’s funeral."
Victoria nodded, holding her husband’s hand, as they walked out of the room. After leaving the room, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. She chose a quiet area where her two greatest enemies couldn’t find her to vent her grief. Having heard this devastating news, she hadn’t had time to eat lunch, leaving her body without the energy to face this harsh reality.
Now all she could do was cry in her husband’s loving embrace. Her body felt cold, too, from touching her father’s cold, stiff hands moments ago.
"Matthias... what should I do now? My father was so cruel to leave me so soon."
"Victoria... I’m actually still very shocked to hear this bad news. Even though I promised to take him on vacation with me."
"Is this because I’ve been ignoring him and hating him? There’s still so much I want to tell him. Yesterday, my father and I were still able to laugh together and forget all the dark past." Victoria tightened her hug. "I miss my father so much."
"I also still want to start our relationship over. I’ve agreed to help him a lot. But he suddenly acted like this, maybe because he still hates me." His right hand spontaneously patted his beloved wife’s back. "But if he left us, shouldn’t we have to let him go? Do you want your father to stay in the hospital forever? Do you want your father to experience his suffering?"
"I don’t want to. I want my father to experience happiness too." Victoria lifted her head for a moment. "You’re right. If I keep my father in this world, his life will only get more miserable."
"Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I’m really hoping for him to leave us soon." Matthias kissed the top of his wife’s head deeply. "I’m very worried about your mental state. Especially since I was so scared earlier when I saw you almost faint after hearing this bad news so suddenly."
"Sorry, I shouldn’t have overreacted earlier. I actually didn’t expect to hear this bad news so soon. I still feel like something’s off."
"Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, how about you finish the mango sticky rice I worked so hard to buy?"
Finally, Victoria smiled sweetly again, hearing her husband’s comforting words. "If you bought it, I’d definitely finish it all right away."
Victoria briefly finished her lunch enjoying the mango sticky rice her husband had bought. Thanks to him consistently providing her with delicious food, the nausea immediately disappeared. Especially since she now had to be fed every meal.
"Matthias, can you buy this mango sticky rice for me again someday? I really like it. It tastes really sweet."
"Of course. I really enjoy eating this delicious food too." Matthias kissed his wife’s cheek. "You should eat a lot before facing this harsh reality."
"Yes, because I have to fight my two enemies."