Chapter ninety-eight

Chapter ninety-eight
The smell of grilled chicken and barbecue floated lazily in the air. Laughter echoed from every corner of the compound.

Who would have thought he would be this happy and in love?

He has never thought of himself as someone who was capable of such emotions. But here he was.

Hunter still could not believe he was here… in his father’s mansion, after all these years. Even more unbelievable, he was here peacefully with the two most important people in his life right now, Mirabella and their daughter, Rena.

His father had insisted on organizing a small get-together and a mini pool party to welcome them. It wasn’t a grand event, just family and a few old friends. But the love, comfort, and warmth surrounding the place made it feel like a big celebration.

Hunter stood upstairs in the open bar hut… his father’s favorite “drinking spot”

His father came and stood beside him and handed him a glass of chilled drink. Hunter took it, then leaned forward slightly and continued to look down at his woman and child as they played handball in the pool with Saraphina, Ashley, and Harper.

Mirabella looked breathtakingly beautiful in the black bikini she wore. Hunter almost forgot how to breathe when she walked out in it earlier, shy and blushing, claiming she only packed one swimsuit. ‘a tease’ He knew she was lying, but he let her. She looked perfect… soft waist, glowing skin, long legs catching the sun, her hair wet and sticking to her shoulders.

And now she was in the pool laughing like she didn't know what she was doing to him.

He watched as Saraphina threw the ball across the water at her. Mirabella tried catching it but missed completely, making a dramatic gasp and laugh as she swam after it.

Hunter chuckled softly.

His father, standing beside him with his own drink, followed his gaze and smiled knowingly. “She is beautiful” he commented.

“Very” Hunter whispered without looking away.

Down in the water, Mirabella reached the ball, grabbed it, and swam back toward little Rena, who was sitting on the edge of the pool, her feet splashing the water excitedly.

“Mama! Mama! Mama!” Rena sang loudly, clapping and giggling.

Mirabella lifted the ball and placed it in Rena’s tiny hands. “Here, baby. You caught the ball, yayyy!”

“Yayy, Mama! I caught the ball!” Rena shouted in her squeaky, excited voice, shaking her little head in victory.

Harper groaned loudly from the other side of the pool. “You two keep cheating! Is it my fault my mama isn’t here to help me get the ball?” she said, pretending to be upset.

Ashley flicked water at her. “Rena, my princess” she said sweetly from behind Mirabella, “don’t let your mummy teach you how to cheat” She wiggled her fingers secretly at Rena, signaling her to throw the ball to her.

Mirabella rolled her eyes and kissed Rena’s cheek. “My baby, they’re just jealous” she teased, making Rena giggle happily.

Hunter had the widest smile on his face. It stretched so naturally it almost hurt… he wasn’t used to smiling this much. But seeing them… seeing how happy and safe they looked… it did something warm to his chest.

His father watched him with a soft expression. “She is perfect for you” he said quietly.

Hunter couldn’t hide his smile at all “She is more than perfect” he replied simply.

She was in fact too perfect for him. He was the luckiest man alive to have Bella in his life. And on top of it all, she gave him a small bundle of joy. What could he ever ask for again.

Mirabella was everything. His peace, his joy, his second chance. She gave him a home he didn’t even know he wanted.
His heart felt full… too full.

His father continued, “I’m just very happy you have someone by your side. Someone who loves you for who you are. It must be the best feeling ever”

Hunter took a slow breath. “It is,” he admitted. Then he added in a low, calm voice, “You experienced it with my mom. But you threw it all away”

The words landed heavy. His father froze slightly, his expression tightening. The hurt was visible in his eyes, raw and unhidden.

“I was…” his father began, swallowing. “I didn’t value what I had then, Hunter.” His voice shook a little. “I… I was a stupid man. A foolish man. I was ungrateful to a woman who gave me everything.”

There was silence between them.

“I am sorry,” his father said finally. “I am sorry she left too soon. I am sorry I cheated. She was good to me. She loved me. But I let her down”

Hunter turned slowly to look at him.

In his entire life, this was the first time he had ever heard his father say sorry for anything. Ever.

Hunter didn’t even know how to react. He had grown up angry at this man. Bitter. Hurt. Rejected. He watched his mother cry herself to sleep because of him. He watched her break, fade, and eventually die without ever finding peace in her marriage.

Hearing him admit fault… hearing him apologize… felt strange.

He took a deep breath. Mirabella had asked that he calms down and talk things out with his father, hence the reason he was still standing there.

But everything was already in the past just as Mirabella also said. He didn't hold grudges against his dad anymore. He was ready to let go of the hurt of the past and the feeling of rejection his mom must have felt when she was on her dying bed.

He looked at his father's hopeful face… the man who made terrible mistakes, but also the man who kept trying to fix what he broke.

Hunter gave him a small reassuring smile. “It’s okay,” he said quietly. “It’s in the past.”

His father looked relieved beyond words. The weight that dropped from his shoulders was visible.

Hunter raised his glass. His father did the same.

Their glasses touched with a soft click.

They both smiled.

Hunter exhaled softly. It felt like years of anger melted
away from his chest. He looked down again at his family.

His chest warmed completely.