Augustine visited Denis at the hospital. Today, Denis looked much better than before. The bruises on his face had faded, his complexion was not as pale as before, and he even seemed a little energetic.

The sight eased Augustine’s heart with relief.

As soon as Denis noticed him, a grin tugged at his lips. He set the newspaper aside. "You don’t need to come every day. I’m fine now. Haris is here with me. You should be with Anne."

Augustine chuckled, pulling a chair closer to the bed. "Funny, because that grin of yours says the opposite. Looks to me like you’ve been waiting for me."

Denis shifted uncomfortably, self-conscious. He had missed Augustine and had been waiting for him, but admitting it outright felt too awkward. Instead, he muttered, "I don’t want to trouble you. You are a family man now. Your wife is expecting, and you are running the business. Yet you still make time to visit me. It makes me feel guilty."

"Stop overthinking," Augustine scolded lightly. "No matter how busy I am, I’ll always come to see you."

The words struck Denis deeply, though he only whispered, "Thanks."

"I’m not here for your thanks," Augustine muttered. "Anyway... Gabriel has been taken to prison. He is going to face life imprisonment."

At the mention of Gabriel, Denis’s face hardened. His good mood vanished instantly. "I don’t want to hear about him. I don’t care what becomes of him."

"But he asked to see you," Augustine pressed gently. "He wants to talk to you. Maybe you should meet him one last time."

"There is no need," Denis cut in coldly. "I don’t want to waste a single thought on the man who murdered my parents, let alone meeting him again."

Augustine could understand Denis’s resentment, yet he also knew Gabriel was already living his punishment. Once a proud, domineering man, he was now nothing more than a paralyzed prisoner, crushed beneath the weight of his own regret and guilt.

"You should think it over," Augustine said calmly. "You called him father all your life. And now look at him—paralyzed, behind bars."

"This is his karma," Denis snapped, cutting him off sharply. "After everything he has done, did you really expect his life to end well? I feel nothing for him. No sympathy. None."

Augustine realized no words would soften Denis’s anger right now. Perhaps only time would dull that bitterness, and maybe one day Denis would reconsider. For now, Augustine chose not to push further.

"Alright, I won’t force you. It’s your decision, and I’ll respect it. But... there is something else I need to tell you. The model city project has been restarted."

That news brought a spark of joy back to Denis’s face.

"The Sphere Group is investing more funds into it," Augustine continued. "I approved it."

Denis’s expression froze, the smile draining away. "You approved it?" he echoed in disbelief. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I’m the president of the Sphere Group," Augustine said evenly. "Augustine Bennet."

Augustine Bennet?

The name struck a chord in Denis’s mind. He had always known the president of the Sphere Group as Mr. Bennet but had never bothered to learn his first name. Now, discovering it was Augustine left him utterly shaken.

"You... you are the president?" Denis stammered, stunned. The man he had believed to be distant and untouchable, the powerful figure everyone tried to meet, was none other than his own brother.

"But your last name is Beaumont, not Bennet," Denis said in bewilderment.

"I was never truly a Beaumont," Augustine replied evenly. "The Beaumonts never accepted my parents or me. When I went abroad, I abandoned that name. Bennet is my mother’s surname, so I took it instead."

Denis knew well how cruelly the Beaumonts had treated Gervis and his family. Worse, he himself had insulted and rejected them in ignorance, never realizing they were his blood. Regret pressed down on his chest.

"I wronged you, too," he admitted hoarsely. "I treated you terribly. You must hate me for it." He lowered his head, unable to meet Augustine’s gaze.

"I did hate you," Augustine admitted. "But in the end, you are still my brother. That truth changes everything. The past is behind us. The pain won’t vanish overnight, but we need to move forward. I’ve already left everything here in your hands. Take care of it. I’ll be leaving for abroad."

"Why leave? Stay here. Together, we will run the business." Denis cast him a hopeful look.

"The overseas branch needs me," Augustine said gently. "But don’t worry. Distance won’t keep us apart. Whether I’m here or abroad, we’ll work side by side."

Denis wished he could convince him to stay, but he knew he had no such authority. All he could do was nod. "When will you be leaving?" he asked quietly.

"This weekend," Augustine replied.

"Alright then... have dinner with me before you go," Denis requested.

"Consider it done. But for now, focus on getting better," Augustine said as he stood. "I’ll head out now. See you tomorrow."

Seven years later...

Denis waited outside the kindergarten, eagerly looking at the gate. After some time, the children started coming out. But Denis was looking for one familiar face. When he finally saw it, he raised his hand high and waved eagerly, grinning from ear to ear.

The boy’s eyes widened in surprise before breaking into a joyous smile. He paused only for a second before sprinting straight toward Denis.

"Uncle Denis," he shouted gleefully.

Denis crouched and scooped the boy into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Ah, Aaron, my boy—you’ve gotten heavier since the last time I saw you."

Aaron giggled. "When did you come?"

"Shh..." Denis placed a finger to his lips with a playful gesture. "That’s a secret. I came to surprise you. Do you like it?"

Aaron’s eyes sparkled. "I love surprises."

"Good. Then how about we go to the amusement park?"

"Yes..." Aaron bounced with excitement. "I love the amusement park."

"Then let’s go." Denis chuckled, carrying him away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several hours later...

After spending the day hopping from ride to ride, both of them were worn out. They finally settled onto an empty bench, ice creams in hand.

"I loved all the rides," Aaron said between bites, though his earlier excitement had dimmed. His clear eyes drooped with fatigue, but a faint smile still lingered on his lips.

"Feeling tired?" Denis asked gently, brushing the sweat off the boy’s forehead.

Aaron quickly shook his head, stubborn even in his exhaustion. "Not at all. We can still play some more."

"But it’s already getting late," Denis reminded him, nodding at the setting sun. "We should head back, or else your father might send a whole army looking for you."

Aaron barely reacted, still focused on his ice cream. "I don’t care," he said carelessly. "The bodyguards are always around the house. They even follow me when I go out. Maybe they are even watching us right now."

Denis chuckled at that. "So you don’t like having them trail you everywhere?"

Aaron shrugged, his small shoulders slumping. "Sometimes I don’t mind, but sometimes I hate it. My friends tease me about it, and I don’t like that."

Then his face brightened as he added with a mischievous smile, "But there is one girl in my class who never teases me. I like her, and I want her to be my girlfriend. Will you help me?"

"Me?" Denis arched a brow, half-amused. "And what exactly do you expect me to do?"

Aaron looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "You must have a girlfriend, right? I want you to teach me how to ask her to be mine."

Denis nearly laughed. "You are only seven years old and already thinking about girlfriends. If your father hears this, he’ll scold you. And your mother—well, I don’t even know how she’d react."

"But this will stay between us, right? You won’t tell them. Promise me."

Denis chuckled but nodded. "Alright, I promise. Your secret’s safe with me."

"Then give me some tips," Aaron pressed eagerly.

Denis scratched his chin, pretending to think. "Let me tell you something. Truth is, I don’t have a girlfriend. But... there is someone I like."

Aaron’s eyes widened with curiosity. "Really? Then why isn’t she your girlfriend?"

The smile slipped from Denis’s face, a shadow of sadness crossing his expression. He had lost the one woman who had loved him all her heart. He had lost her through his own foolishness. However, it was a relief that she was happy with the man she had chosen.

Forcing his smile back, he ruffled Aaron’s hair. "Because she likes someone else."

"Oh?" Aaron’s face fell. "That must make you sad."

"No," Denis said promptly. "I’m not. She is happy – that’s what matters."

Aaron frowned, trying to puzzle it out. "I think I’d be sad if the girl I like didn’t like me back."

"You are still too young to understand," Denis said gently. "But remember this—love isn’t about possession. It’s about sacrifice. One day you’ll understand. For now, don’t worry about it. Enjoy being a kid."

"What are you two doing there? Aaron, come here."

The familiar voice behind them made both Denis and Aaron turn. Augustine and Anne were standing a few feet away.

Aaron’s face broke into a wide grin. "Mommy... Daddy..." He leapt off the bench and ran into their arms.

"You little rascal," Augustine scolded lightly. "You didn’t come home after school."

"Uncle Denis brought me here," Aaron said, beaming. "I love the rides." Then, glancing at his mother, his smile faltered. "Sorry, Mommy. I made you worried."

Anne gave him a small smile. Denis had already mentioned he was taking Aaron out, so she wasn’t truly worried. "You must be tired," she said. "Let’s go home."

"Uncle Denis," Aaron called back. "Come on, let’s go."

"Yes, I’m coming." Denis rose from the bench and walked toward them. Stopping in front of Anne, his eyes dropped briefly to her baby bump. "How are you feeling? And the babies?"

"I’m doing well," Anne answered with a cheerful grin. "The babies are fine, too. Augustine takes such good care of me."

"Of course, I do," Augustine added warmly. "It’s my duty to look after my wife and our children." He slipped his arm around Anne’s shoulders, his eyes filled with affection. "You are carrying twins this time. You shouldn’t be on your feet too long. Let me take you to the car."

Anne nodded softly. "Let’s go home."

Together, the family began walking toward the car.

Denis lingered for a moment, watching the three of them walk ahead. A faint smile tugged at his lips, though his chest swelled with unspoken emotions.

’Anne... the woman I love. I’ve learned to find my happiness in hers.’

"What are you waiting for?" Augustine called back, glancing over his shoulder. "Come on, let’s go home."

Home. That’s what Augustine and his family had become for him.

"Coming," Denis replied with a broad smile, quickening his steps to follow.

The end...