Chapter 24

Scarlet's POV.

He looked a little bit drowsy from the pain, but I woke him. I can feel he wants to sleep a little bit more. But he needs to take the medicine, and for that, eating something is necessary, or else the medicine might have reverse effects on his body.

“Dad really prepared breakfast this early today? From what I know, he's only done after seven, and there's still fifteen minutes left for seven.” He's surprised.

I laughed in my heart, “I feel sad to break your imagination, but today's breakfast is made by me. Yes, dad did come to the kitchen, but I sent him back. Since I am home today, I wanted him to take a break from the kitchen.” I explained and grabbed the plate from the study table.

“What? You made this breakfast? I had no idea you could cook.” Is he shocked or just surprised? Because I can't tell if he's happy or sad that I made the breakfast.

“Not only can I cook, but I can clean and do every chore. Now stop giving me that surprise or shock look, and have a bite. You have to take your morning pills. Come on! Get up.” I somehow pulled him out of the warm blanket and handed him the plate.

“You are not going to work today?” He asked.

“Didn't you want me to accompany you? So here I am. I will be working from home today. So you should relax and don't think it took much.” I assured him.

I made him have his breakfast and then fed him the medicine. It was still too early, so I told him to go back to sleep and came downstairs to drop the plate and tray I took upstairs.

I have realized one thing since I entered this family. Every family member of this house has the habit of getting up early. Dad was reading the newspaper in the living room in peace since he didn't have to prepare breakfast today.

I was returning to my room when dad spotted me. “Scar, I am done reading the newspaper. Wanna accompany me to jog outside?” He placed the newspaper on the marble table.

It's the first time he has made any request. How can I reject him? “Sure! Please wait for me.” I hurried to my room and changed into casual clothes.

“Are you going out?” Raymond asked. It looks like he can't sleep.

“I am going out with dad. You should go back to sleep.” I replied.

“I also want to come with you.” He got up immediately, wanting to go with me.

“And what will you do with us? You can't even walk normally. If you come with us, we will be caught lying red-handed. Plus, you just took your medicine, so it's better you rest.”

He was dejected but understood me rather than throwing a tantrum. “Come back soon. I will miss you.”

“This is my first time spending some quality time with dad, so I will not listen to you. But... I will try to return soon. Bye!” I exited the room.

His facial expression was worth seeing; he looked as if he regretted being a patient. I just can't understand my silly husband. Anyway, I removed him from my thoughts and focused myself on the quality time I will be spending with my father-in-law.

We walked thirty minutes away from our home. I never knew the environment around our mansion was this great and beautiful. We weren't the only ones to have morning walks on this road, but many couples, old people, and even kids were there.

The street vendors were selling healthy snacks on the side of the road; the crowd was in abundance at their stalls.

It's been more than half an hour for us to walk, but not a single moment went by where my father-in-law wasn't talking to me. He was talking about family, friends, pets, and even animals. Overall, anything that was crossing his mind was being told to me.

“You don't know how cute Raymond was in his childhood. I remember one time he had to pee, and he just kept holding it because some guests visited us. He couldn't control it and peed in his pants. He started crying, telling us how we all tormented him by letting him stay with us. Even though he was crying, all of us found him adorable. His cheeks were so soft and bouncy, like a bunny.” My father-in-law looks happy when talking about his children.

Hearing him talk about his children's childhood made me realize how much I missed in life. If I had a father like him, my life would have been different. I wouldn't be what I am right now.

“Dad, were you always available for your kids when they were young?” I asked curiously.

“I won't say I was always available for them, but I tried my best to be in every important moment of their life. There were times when I disappointed the kids and made them cry. But that's a part of parenthood. No matter how much you try to be with your kids in every important moment, you will still miss some. So what's more important is that you try to make it up to them.” He looked content with what he was sharing with me.

He continued, “You might see Raymond as a responsible and mature man, but I tell you, he wasn't always like this. There was a time when he was a rebellious kid. No matter what you tell him or how you explain to him, he will do what his heart desires, always the opposite of what I thought. He wouldn't listen to me at all.” Father-in-law sighed.

I am actually surprised to hear this side of Raymond. Was he really that rebellious in his teenage years?

“He would always go against you and mom? So were you disappointed in him?” I really want to know more about Raymond, and this is a perfect opportunity.

“He's my child, so how can I be disappointed in him? Yes, I was upset with him. But that doesn't mean I have to behave downright with him. Being parents doesn't mean you should control your child. Making them do what you want is not parenthood. Sometimes you have to listen to them. Try to know what they want. If we talk about freedom, Raymond and Penelope got it completely. Neither I nor your mom interfere in their personal lives after they turn fifteen.”

Now I understand why Raymond has that gullible and childlike side to him. His parents never forced him and always supported him while growing up. He has the freedom to do anything, and that's why he always respects me.

“You and mom raised Raymond and Penelope well. It's all because of you that they respect others. Thank you for raising my husband in such a healthy environment.” I couldn't help but thank him.

Growing up, I always longed for fatherly love. Although I hated my jerk father, I always expected him to turn a new leaf. My mind always told me to hate him, but my heart would always melt when he showed even a little bit of kindness towards me. But after mom's accident, even that small glimmer of hope disappeared.

For Mason Benson, Trista, his daughter was everything; he never even spared a glimpse of me. There were times when I wished for Trista. How silly and stupid I was.

My father-in-law kept talking about Raymond, and I kept listening to him all the way. I had lots of fun knowing different sides of Raymond. But when he was telling me about Raymond, I realized something. Dad rarely talked about Raymond of five or four years ago. As if he chose to stay silent for some reason.

After a hectic workout, we stopped by a corn vendor. Dad bought roasted corn for us; we enjoyed it while sitting under the coconut tree. And to our surprise, we even received a fresh coconut that fell onto the ground just five steps away from us.

We returned home, and the first thing I did was return to my room and find Raymond waiting for me. He almost jumped on me the moment he spotted me.

“You took two hours. Is this your 'I will return soon'?” He pulled me into the bed, and I was now facing him.

I looked at the time and somehow felt guilty. But maintained my stance. “Didn't I say it's my first date with dad? I wanted to spend some quality time with him, and I did. That's why I am late.” I peck the tip of his nose with my finger.

Now that I remember what dad told me about Raymond, I have started finding him adorable.

I got myself out of his grip and started folding the quilt. He looked at me and then pursed his lips. “How unlucky I am to get such a heartless and cruel wife. You don't care about my feelings at all. Look at me; I want to spend more time with you. But you want to ignore me only.” He started fake crying, and I am just laughing in my heart right now.

If he keeps behaving this way, I can't help but misunderstand his intentions. He loves someone else, but keeps flirting with me. I get both angry and excited when he acts like this. What should I make of his behavior?

I finally can't contain all the curiosity in my small, fragile heart. “Ray! Who's the woman you loved previously? You were too drunk the day before yesterday and kept apologizing. But it wasn't me who you were apologizing, but some other woman. Was there someone in your life before you married me?”

The color of his face faded the moment I finished talking; he wasn't surprised but scared instead. Did I ask something too complicated? But I am eagerly waiting for his answer. For some reason, I am waiting for him to say there's no woman in his life other than me he loves.

“So you finally found out. No wonder you were acting so distant with me.” He replied.

“So there is really someone you love. Is that person... Mandy?”