Chapter 73

“No offense taken,” Samantha responded, which caused Daniel’s smile to widen.

She would be lying if she said that she wasn’t feeling bad or sad for Daniel anymore just because he said he doesn’t like being pitied. She was actually feeling the complete opposite.

After hearing everything Daniel had said, Samantha just felt even more bad and sad for him. Samantha also grew up without a father. But unlike Daniel, her mother never relied on her because it was the other way around. It was she who relied on her mother, which was normal because she was just a kid, and what Daniel should have been doing as well. Also, she was taught how to clean and do the laundry by Janice, as well as how to cook, but the reason she was taught was very different from Daniel.

Daniel had to learn all those things and become independent at such a young age because he had no choice and because he had no one to rely on. He was forced to act and think like an adult, while Samantha was thought to do those things because her mother cares for her and doesn't want her to grow up knowing nothing, making her vulnerable to the problems she might encounter. And unlike Daniel, she was not forced to act and think like an adult. Janice firmly told her that because she was a kid, she should act like a kid.

Her mother may have failed in most of her relationships with men, but she never failed as a parent. If it weren’t for her mother’s care and support, Samantha wouldn’t be the Samantha that she is today.

As for Romeo, Samantha believed she had no right to judge the man. After all, no one can exactly know how deep a person’s scar could be or how painful it’ll be. Still, she couldn’t help but wish he had done a better job at being a father to the young Daniel. Because of everything that Daniel had said, it sounds like he did not lose his mother; he also seemed to have lost his father.

Aside from feeling bad and sad for Daniel’s childhood, she was also feeling a bit guilty about how she was judging him and treating him badly without knowing and understanding him.

“So,” Daniel said again after a few minutes of silence. “The three days are over, so that means you’ve already decided on how we will go on with our plan, right?” Daniel noticed Samantha's feelings by just looking at her expressions, so to make her forget about it, he directed their topic in another direction, which was also another reason why he wanted to meet with Samantha; aside from that fact, he wanted to fuck her.

Daniel’s diversion seemed to be effective because, from a pathetic look, the expression on Samantha’s face went stern. She also finally met his eyes again.

After a few seconds, Samantha answered him. “Yes.”

Daniel, who had a curious look on his face, asked again, “And? What decision have you come with?”

He expected Samantha to be quiet again and contemplate her decision, but Samantha was able to give him an answer quickly. “We’ll follow your plan.”

Shock cannot be hidden on Daniel’s face. Since Samantha was so adamant about not proceeding with his initial plan, Daniel thought she would stick with her previous opinion. But it turned out that that wasn't the case.

“Are you sure?” Although the seriousness and firmness could be seen in Samantha’s face when she answered his question, Daniel still wanted to be sure.

Samantha nodded. “To be honest, I still feel bad about involving the kids in this plan, but as I thought about what you'd told me that night, I realized that you were right. The kids were already involved in this the moment Elsa chose to cheat on her husband and the moment Dean did that. And as you’ve said, no secrets could be kept forever, and they were still bound to get hurt. So it might as well hurt them now rather than to prolong the betrayal that those two were committing.”

It was Daniel’s turn to nod. “Then, that’s good.” That’s all he wanted to say, afraid that if he said another thing, it would change Samantha’s mind again, although that seemed to not be the case when he looked at Samantha’s expression.

Unlike that night at their family home, Samantha’s expression while talking about their plan this time was full of determination, as if her decision wouldn’t be changed anymore no matter the circumstances.

“So, when do you want us to start commencing the second part of our plan?” Daniel asked.

“Can we do it as soon as tomorrow? I just want this to be over as soon as possible,” Samantha answered.

“Alright. I’ll handle it.”

Samantha’s brows furrowed. “What about me? What am I going to do?”

“Nothing,” Daniel answered before putting food in his mouth.

Samantha’s brows furrowed even more. “Nothing? You want me to do nothing?”

Daniel nodded while chewing his food. “You already did your part, so it is now my time to do mine,” he said after gulping the food. “Don’t worry. I won’t mess up.”

“You sure? You really don’t need my help anymore?”

Daniel chuckled before answering, “I am sure. Besides, getting you involved any more than this would be risky. We can’t let them know you have something to do with their future problems, can’t we?”

Samantha thought about it for a couple of seconds. “Well, I guess you’re right,” she said.

Daniel chuckled once more. “I am really right. So don’t worry about it and let me handle things my way, alright? Now, let us focus on eating so that we can proceed with doing what I want to do the most right now.”

“We’re eating, Daniel,” Samantha sternly said.

“What? Did I say anything wrong? I didn't even say it.”

‘Yes, but you were insinuating it,’ Samantha said in silence.

She doesn't want to voice that, or their improper conversation would go longer, and she does not want that happening.

So Samantha decided to eat in silence and savor the deliciousness of the food, and Daniel followed suit, except with a malicious grin.