“ANCESTRAL HOUSE”

"I don't think so. Do you think, after what you did to my sister, I would allow her to be with you?" Andrew said, followed by mocking laughter. "I think that matter should stay between me and your sister," Marius replied. Andrew raised his thick eyebrows and stared sharply at his opponent. "I might not know or have no idea about what happened. But Sam is my sister, and as her brother, it is my duty to protect her!" he emphatically stated. At that moment, it became even clearer to Marius how serious his mistake with Sam was.

"If not for you, my sister wouldn't be in this situation now. I entrusted her to you because you are my wife's best friend. But I was wrong," Andrew continued, his firm words resonating deeply in Marius's thoughts. "But I love her. So I want to make amends. I want to correct my mistake," he added, followed by a deep sigh. Andrew fixed an intense gaze on Marius. After a moment, he spoke again. "No, my decision is final. My sister and her future child don't need you," Andrew sternly rejected.

Marius sighed again. Then, he opened his mouth to speak. "I am the child's father, so I have the right to decide for his well-being," Marius asserted. "I agree with Marius, Andrew." Almost simultaneously, Andrew and Marius turned to look at Lana, who was standing not far from where they were in the hospital lobby. "Marius has the right to make decisions for your niece because he is the father of the child," Lana said. Andrew expressed his disagreement, saying, "Oh, please, Lana."

In Andrew's tone, it seemed like he was telling his wife not to interfere in the conversation. "Sorry, I care for Sam as my sister-in-law, so I can't just stay silent as you want. So let me give my opinion about her situation," Lana continued. When Andrew remained silent, Lana took his arm and led him away. But before that, she turned to Marius, giving him a meaningful smile.

He understood the meaning behind Lana's smile. They had been friends for a long time. What she meant was that they had been best friends since they were children. He just watched them, silently expressing his gratitude for a friend who had never abandoned him.

As he thought about it, a sweet but small smile quickly appeared on his lips. He needed to admit that, before Sam came into his life, Lana was the woman he dreamed of growing old with. That was the truth, and that was also the reason why it wasn't difficult for him to treat Andrea as if she were his daughter, given his love for her mother, whom he had cherished for a long time.

But everything changed when he met Sam. He admitted that, initially, he had indeed formulated a plan to use her for revenge against Andrew because he couldn't accept that Lana chose Andrew over him.

But eventually, everything changed without his realizing it. Swiftly and subtly, he didn't notice when he fell in love with Sam.

Marius smiled again at the thought of Sam. With the thought of Sam in mind, Marius eventually decided to go to her. However, before he could take a step, he heard Andrew's voice calling him.

Without uttering a word, Marius met the gaze of the person in front of him. Then, he waited for Andrew to speak first. The man didn't keep him waiting for long.

"I believe you've talked to Sam about this," Andrew asked him.

"What?" Marius replied, bewildered. "You mean, about the plan for her to stay at my provincial home?"

"Yeah," Andrew confirmed.

"Of course," Marius responded briefly.

He saw Andrew inhale deeply, as if releasing a heavy breath.

"Whatever decision my sister makes, that will be mine as well. But I have to warn you that it doesn't mean I forgive you. I still don't trust you," Andrew added sternly.

Marius could sense the deep anger in Andrew's tone, and he understood the man's resentment. At that moment, Marius took a deep breath, feeling the weight of karma settling upon him for what he did to Sam. He was hurting now, and he wondered how much more pain he would endure when everything returned to his girlfriend's memory. How would it feel when she remembered that he was the cause of all her suffering?

*****

"Are you excited?" Marius asked me.

Turning my gaze from the green expanse of the ocean outside the car window, I shifted my attention to Marius. I was captivated by the beauty of the surroundings, and despite that, I couldn't hide the delightful thrill in my voice when our eyes met.

I nodded eagerly. "Yes," I said, unable to conceal the excitement in my tone.

Marius's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. It was clear that he was pleased with what I said. Secretly, I felt a rush of warmth seeing the emotion on his face.

"I'm sure you'll love our house once we get there," he assured me.

I didn't say anything, and instead, I sweetly smiled at Marius after he made that statement. I turned my gaze back to the car window, losing myself in the view. Unbeknownst to me, sleep gently took over as I succumbed to its quiet embrace.

*****

"WAKE UP, sleepy head," Marius whispered with a smile, tapping my cheek gently as I slept.

I didn't want to wake up just yet. In truth, I enjoyed observing the angelic expression on his face as he slept peacefully. However, I also wanted to have breakfast, so there was that.

"Sam," he whispered again, moving his face a little closer to mine.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to wake up, but I knew I had to. I was content just watching the serene sleep on his face. Yet, I also wanted to have breakfast, so there was that.

"Sam," he repeated softly, tapping my cheek once more.

With a gentle sigh, I reluctantly opened my eyes to meet Marius's smiling face. There was something in the way he looked at me that made me feel a delightful warmth inside.

Maybe it was the undeniable truth, and I couldn't deny the love I felt for the woman who was now destined to be the mother of his child.