Chapter 623

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Sanford’s shoulders shook violently with sobs as he clung desperately to Liora’s hand , choking out through his tears , “ Please … don’t leave me so soon . I’m not ready for this yet . I can’t lose you now . ”
Liora said softly , “ Sanford , you’ve truly grown up now . My only regret is I won’t be there to see you get married and have children . But I believe someone as wonderful as you will definitely find your own happiness .
“ Thank you for staying by my side all these years . Having you with me has made me so happy . “ But I still owe you an apology . I’ve kept the truth about your father from you . I’m so sorry for the pain I’ve caused you .
“ At least , before I go , I can finally tell you everything and let you know the truth . Now , I have no more regrets . Promise me you’ll choose a name you love and live happily for the rest of your life . ”
Tears welled up in Sanford’s eyes as he nodded hard , struggling to hold himself together . “ Mom , don’t worry , ” he promised . “ I promise I’ll live happily , just like you wanted . ”
“ My dear boy , your life is just beginning . There’s still such a long road ahead of you . I feel so ashamed . I don’t have much savings left for you . The medical treatments cost so much . Maybe you should self the house if you need to … ”
Líora’s words trailed off as her eyelids grew heavy . A sudden , overwhelming fatigue washed over her , draining the last remnants of her strength .
“ Mom , don’t fall asleep ! Listen to me , ” Sanford pleaded , clutching Liora’s hand tightly . “ Jonathan just gave me 3 million dollars . He said Irene shouldn’t have taken that money , so he returned it to me . You don’t have to worry about me being short on money . ”
“ Is that so … ” Liora mustered her last ounce of strength , her eyes half – closed as she gazed toward Jonathan in the distance .
Jonathan’s tall , broad – shouldered figure gradually blurred before her eyes . For a fleeting moment , she thought she saw Yorick again , and in her mind , heard his firm voice . “ I can’t accept your money . Take it back . ”
She slowly tilted her head , her final gaze lingering on Sanford as she offered him one last , gentle smile . She looked at Sanford , desperate longing in her eyes , as if trying to etch every detail of his face into her memory .
And then , as the last vestiges of her strength ebbed away , the hand resting on Sanford’s cheek went limp and slipped lifelessly to her side .
“ Mom ? Mom ! ” Sanford’s gut – wrenching wails reverberated through the hospital ward .
Irene froze in her tracks as gut – wrenching wails echoed through the corridor . A sharp pain shot through her heart .
She walked forward slowly and saw Jonathan leaning against the door , while Sanford was crying his heart out , clutching Liora’s lifeless body .
Liora lay on the hospital bed , her eyes peacefully closed .
Irene steadied herself against the wall , her eyes suddenly welling up with tears . The woman she had hated for so many years was gone today . All the hatred she’d harbored for years was laid to rest in this very moment .
Yet the words Liora spoke to Irene before her death would forever remain a thorn deeply lodged in Irene’s heart .
At Liora’s funeral , Sanford decided to lay Liora’s ashes to rest in the family cemetery , where her maternal grandparents rested .
Footsteps echoed , drawing nearer . Sanford turned sharply , his guard up , only to see Werner , looking disheveled wit
ggly beard .
Werner looked utterly drained , his head bowed low like a defeated rooster . He choked out , “ How could your mother be gone so soon ? ” He never imagined he wouldn’t even get to see Liora one last time .
Sanford’s lips curled into a cold , mocking sneer . “ You have no right to see her . ”
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“ Son , you can’t blame me for this . If only your mother had told me sooner that she’d had you , I would have married her and taken responsibility I never meant for things to turn out this way . ” Werner said .
Werner told Sanford that , when he was young , he truly liked Liora . Back then , both families had even hoped to fix him up with Liora .
But unexpectedly , the moment Liora saw Yorick , she fell head over heels at first sight and became utterly devoted to him , unable to let go
Werner admitted he couldn’t compare to Yorick in terms of looks, but Yorick was already married . Still , Liora became obsessed with Yorick , even secretly giving Werner money and begging him to set them up .
On the night Liora got drunk , she and Werner ended up together . The next morning , when he wanted to take responsibility , she looked at him coldly and said , “ No need . To me , you’re just a friend . Let’s pretend last night never happened . ”
Yorick sighed , “ That’s how it all happened . Back then , we agreed to forget that crazy night . I knew she went to Shaville to make a life for herself . I called her , not knowing she’d already had you by then .
“ She never answered my calls . But when I texted her that Yorick had liver cancer , she panicked immediately . I always knew her heart belonged to Yorick . To her , I was just a friend .
“ So I gave up on her . Plus , your grandfather kept pushing me to settle down . I’d been drifting around for years . It was time to settle down . I met Cathy . who melted my heart . We got married . I was determined to live a good life .
“ When I saw you and realized your last name was Thomas , I couldn’t help but be suspicious . I watched your videos again and again . The more I looked . the more I saw myself in you . So I went to Shaville to confront your mother . ”
“ Enough ! ” Sanford spun around , his face cold as he stared at Werner .
“ So this is your excuse for dodging responsibility ? You knew all along I was your son , but you threatened my mom into keeping it from me . I actually thought you were a kind man . Turns out , you’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing . ”
Werner fell silent , his fists clenched tightly at his sides . Sanford’s every word had struck true , leaving him utterly speechless .
Sanford snapped , “ Get out ! You have nothing to do with me or my mom anymore . ”
Werner took a deep , lingering look at the woman with a radiant smile etched on the tombstone . Memories of their youth flashed vividly before his eyes . ‘ If only … ‘ he thought . But there was no going back .
Werner never believed in karma , but now , he was a believer . “ You’re right . I am nothing but a spineless man who ran from his responsibilities . Please take care of yourself . I hope you’ll live well . ”
Werner’s footsteps faded away . Sanford’s eyes brimmed with tears as he gently caressed the gentle face on the tombstone . “ Mom , if there’s afterlife , marry a man who only has eyes for you . You deserve a better life . ”
The breeze stirred the white chrysanthemums before the tombstone , gently tousling Sanford’s hair . It was a warm breeze , carrying no chill at all . “ Live happily ever after . ” Liora’s final words echoed in Sanford’s mind .
From now on , he would be like the untamed wind – free to cherish himself and live his life to the fullest .
AD