LOVE'S QUAGMIRE [18+]

Chapter 18: Departure

Next Morning

Daphne's POV~

I placed the bowls on the table as it neared 8 am. Today, Mom and Dad are off to Paris; they'll leave after breakfast whereas my siblings and Abby will leave tomorrow.

Everyone walked in and took their seats, but before Catherine and I could serve, Zephyr spoke up. "Darling, Catherine will handle this. Come on," he said, patting the seat next to him.

"Yes, Mrs. Reynolds, please," Catherine chimed in, so I hesitantly left the bowls and made my way to the chair.

The last argument with Zephyr was still fresh in my mind, but I pushed it aside, not wanting to ruin the rest of the day. He stood up, pulled out the chair, and made me sit. My eyes caught my parents, smiling at us.

"We'll share one plate," he said, placing it in the middle and adding some fruits. With a fork, he brought it to my mouth, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was the same person I'd been arguing with.

I opened my mouth slightly as he fed me. I could feel everyone's eyes on us, and I secretly glanced around, seeing them smile. My cheeks flushed, and when he tried to feed me again, I shook my head slightly.

"Are you seeing this, Mom, Dad?" Zephyr exclaimed with a grin. "She hardly eats!"

 "Are you feeling okay, Daph?" my mom asked with a concerned look. 

"How could she be?"Dad looked at him with a puzzled look, "She eats so little," he remarked with a gentle chuckle. My mom smiled warmly.

 He attempted to feed me again and this time I quietly ate it.

"My love, if you don't eat, you'll become weak and sick, and that would make me so sad. And we wouldn't want that, would we?" he whispered softly. His gaze was filled with adoration, I eyed around to see if everyone could hear. I shook my head nonchalantly.

After breakfast, we had a small chit-chat and now it was time for Mom and Dad to leave. Zephyr and I were supposed to accompany them, but I didn't feel like going; so I denied it. As they were leaving so quickly, it made me feel low.

"Where's Zeph and Seb?" Xavi asked, and I shrugged. 

After a while, I saw them coming down. Zephyr was dressed in his office outfit, while Seb held some files. He walked toward me and smiled, but I didn't smile back; instead, I just stared at him without any expression. I could see a shift in his expression, but he didn't say anything and walked toward Mom and Dad.

"Dad, this is for you," Zephyr said, handing him the two files. Mom and Dad both looked at the files.

Seb explained, "Mr. Hayes, these are the documents for the land ownership under your name in Virginia. The land dispute between you and your three brothers, which has been ongoing since your parents' death and the court cases for over five years, has finally come to an end, and the land is now yours."

My eyes widened in shock and mouth agape, and not just mine, but everyone's except the three brothers.

Seb continued, "And also, all the loans you took have been repaid, so there's nothing left."

I was dumbstruck. 

My dad's family lives in Virginia, and they own many acres of land there. But after my grandparents' death, my uncles, who are older than my dad, deceived him and made him sign some wrong documents, which stated that he wouldn't get any land property. This led to fights and disputes that lasted for five years. Dad faced many problems during those years and even took out loans, which he's still paying off in bits. And now, it has finally come to an end. I couldn't help but smile, my eyes turning watery.