Lisa & Rokko - Missed Chances (english version)

Chapter 16

Niklas was sitting at the coffee table, completely absorbed in his Lego world.

Rokko stood at the window of his apartment, his arms crossed over his chest. He stared outside without really seeing anything. His sister Sandra had made herself comfortable on the couch, legs tucked under her, her gaze fixed on him.

"So," she began as if it were the most casual question in the world, "how are things going... at Kerima and with Lisa?"

Rokko turned halfway toward her and shrugged. "Same as the last times you asked: professional. I don't deal with Lisa much, and when I do, we talk about work. That's it."

"Hmm." Sandra pursed her lips, debating whether she should believe him. "And that doesn't bother you at all?"
"Sandra..." He sighed and dropped onto the couch next to her. "I know why I'm doing this. To not let Hugo down, to not abandon the company. That's what matters."

She studied him silently before tilting her head slightly. "And the fact that Lisa left you standing at the altar back then doesn't play any role anymore?"

Rokko forced a tired smile. "That was a long time ago. I'm over it. Life goes on."
But the words sounded too practiced, almost rehearsed. Sandra heard the undertone immediately.

"Right," she said dryly. "And that is the only reason you agreed to come back. Out of pure loyalty to Hugo."

He turned his gaze away and pretended he had to admire Niklas's construction. "That's what it's about. Nothing more and nothing less."

Sandra couldn't suppress a soft laugh. "Oh, Rokko... sometimes you're really easy to read. Do you seriously think I believe Lisa has nothing to do with it?"

"You're reading way too much into this. It has nothing to do with her." He cleared his throat and avoided her eyes. She nudged him with her shoulder, a lovingly teasing bump.

"And that dreamy smile you had earlier when we saw you at Kerima definitely had nothing to do with her either, right?"

Rokko stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the colorful Lego bricks on the floor. He furrowed his brow but found no reply.

Sandra watched him for a moment, then smiled knowingly. "You've always been a terrible liar."
"And," she added more softly with a warm smile, "you've always had a big heart for people who need help. Even when it hurts."

At that moment, Niklas cheered because his tower had grown almost as tall as the table. Rokko picked up a brick, helped him place the final piece, and once again avoided Sandra's eyes.

Still filled with the appreciation Rokko had shown her earlier in front of the press representatives, Lisa entered her parents' house. Her cheeks glowed, her eyes sparkled, and she felt more alive than she had in a long time.

"Hello Mom, hello Dad!" she called out beamingly even before she had reached the living room.
"Hello Lisa!" came back cheerfully from her father.

But when Lisa entered the room, she stopped abruptly. Sitting next to Bernd was none other than her estranged husband David. Both were grinning broadly, almost conspiratorially, as if they wanted to celebrate a shared triumph.

"Surprise," David said smugly and half-rose from the armchair. "Good to see you, Lisa."
"I thought it was finally time for us to talk," he added when she didn't answer. Bernd nodded in agreement, his voice sounding emphatically cheerful: "Yes, Sweetheart. Your David and me... we figured you two should sort things out calmly. After all, nothing is decided yet. Maybe you two will find your way back to each other after all."

David followed up, his grin looking almost self-satisfied. "Exactly. We shouldn't rush into a divorce. It would be a shame to just throw everything away. You know how much we have in common."

Lisa felt her breath stutter, overwhelmed and blindsided. Before she could speak, her mother stepped out of the kitchen and into the living room.
She was still holding a kitchen towel in her hand, stopped in the doorway, and looked at the three of them. First her husband, then David, then her daughter.

"Oh, so that's how it is." Her voice was quiet but firm.
''That's why you, Bernd, insisted I cook. So you two could lure Lisa into a trap."
"Helga, darling..." Bernd began, trying to soothe her.
"Don't call me darling," she snapped, and the sharpness in her tone made even David flinch for a moment. "I will not accept the two of you manipulating our daughter like this. She has the right to make her own decisions."
David tried a charming tone. "Let's not exaggerate. I only want to talk, Helga. Lisa and I—"
"You're leaving now," she interrupted him, unwavering. "Out. Right now."

For a moment, there was icy silence. Bernd looked at his wife in disbelief, and David pressed his lips together. But Helga's gaze did not waver. Finally, David grabbed his coat, muttered something under his breath, and left.
Lisa stood there speechless, overwhelmed by everything that had just happened. At the same time, she felt a warmth rising in her chest, so strong it nearly brought her to tears. Her mother had stepped in for her without hesitation.
"Mom," she whispered, her voice filled with admiration and relief.
Helga placed a hand on Lisa's shoulder, gentle but resolute. "You don't have to justify yourself. Especially not to them."
The thought that David would probably wait to force another talk at Kerima crossed Lisa's mind for a second, but the fear dissolved instantly. It didn't matter. She had just regained something far more important: the certainty that her mother would always be on her side.