Chapter 21
“It’s fine if you’re not ready to call her that now” Richard said softly. “I’ll wait for the day you’re willing to.”
He quickly composed his emotion and they walked hand in hand to Wanda’s apartment.
However, an unexpected quest was already waiting for them at the door.
The first month after Wanda’s presumed death, Eric was like a hollow shell. He arranged her funeral mechanically.
His father, who had already retired, was forced to step back into the business world to handle the company’s mounting PR crises.
Thankfully, the situation was contained in time, preventing public opinion from spiraling into imeparable chaos.
However, Eric became depressed. He locked himself in the bedroom and drank all day. He could not accept the fact that his beloved woman had died and he was the one who took her life
Only alcohol could temporarily numb the pain and weave a beautiful dream for him where nothing had shattered. In his dream, he never changed nor cheated.
Ben imitated his action and locked himself in studio all day.)
It wasn’t until Stella rushed from the family mansion to visit them that she realized how broken the father and son had become.
The originally lively and optimistic grandson, Ben, was diagnosed with autism. While Enc, his successful son, had become an alcoholic. Though she regretted Wanda’s death, she was more concerned with her son and grandson.
She hired a renowned child psychologist for Ben and sent Eric to a rehabilitation center. After six months, though the changes were minor, at least, the two of them began to resemble functional human beings again X
However, the aging Wesley still reluctant to entrust the Gordon Group to Eric hand again. He did not dare to take a nsk so to protect the family, he transferred Enc to the branch office.
He reasoned that if Eric were competent, he could use the branch as a platform for a triumphant return.B
He did not disappoint. After he quit drinking, Eric poured all his energy into managing the branch office and caring for Ben.
However, Ben remained distant and refused to attend school or even speak to him. He locked himself in his studio and like a robot, painted family portraits every single day.
After completing his one thousand and one painting, Ben finally spoke again. He stood at the doorway of the studio and looked at his father, who had just returned home from overtime.
In a hoarse, hesitant voice, he said, “I want to make a wish to bring Mom back”
Eric clenched his fists tightly, his nails dug into his palms as he kept his tears at bay. “Ben, Mom has gone far away. From now on, Dad will stay with you.”
However, Ben, who had become thin and frail due to prolonged poor nutrition, stared at him with confusion. “I want Mom back,” he repeated, over and over!
His calm repetition turned into hysteria, In the end, he was in tears. For the first time in months, Ben released all the pent–up sorrow he had felt since Wanda’s death.
When he finally cried himself to exhaustion, he fell asleep in Eric’s arms. Eric gently carried him to bed and tucked him in before retreating to his study.
At three in the morning, he was still working on company matters. The branch office he now managed had been meant as a gift for Wanda. It was named in her honor.
The branch office was thriving in Helios City.
He had thought that leaving behind the city and the life they once shared might help him and his son move on and forget Wanda. Yet, the truth was, both of them remained trapped in the shadows of their lost one, unable to move forward.\
Then, a phone call came from the private investigator he had hired at great expense. Finally, Eric found a glimmer of hope.
