Chapter 765 Blood Ties
Yunice had once sat by a window like this, watching the sun rise and fall without a word. Wyatt had come to her then, silent too. He hadn’t needed to ask, because even with all the resentment Yunice had held for Owen, when his life ended, that hatred lost its anchor. In its place, a hollow ache opened inside her.
That day, Yunice had spoken only one sentence: “There aren’t many family members left for me in this world.” She had admitted, however faintly, that her heart still hurt. From then on, Wyatt understood—some part of her still cared about Oscar. So he had chosen to let go of his hatred. He even arranged for people to quietly keep track of Oscar’s movements, so that if Yunice ever changed her mind, she could find him immediately.
Now, in the hotel lounge, Yunice faced her brother. Her smile was calm, almost liberating. “Past things should stay in the past. Wyatt and I are happy now, and Mindy is such a good girl. I can see that Wendy is kind, and that you two love each other. We are all living our own happiness. If Father knew, he would be relieved.” Oscar stared at her, stunned. Did this mean… forgiveness? His throat closed up with emotion, and all he could do was nod hard, eyes reddening. At that moment, a sound came from the entrance. Wyatt stood there with Mindy in his arms. He had clearly been there for a while. His face carried a gentle, knowing smile. Mindy, curious, blinked her big eyes at her mother and the “strange man” whose eyes were red. Yunice quickly wiped the corners of her eyes, embarrassed. Wyatt walked over, respectful and even-toned. “Oscar.” That one word made Oscar’s chest tighten with too many feelings. He replied gravely, “Wyatt, it’s been a long time. Thank you… for loving Yunice so much.” Wyatt smiled faintly. “She’s my wife. That’s what I should do.” Mindy looked back and forth between her mother and the “new uncle,” then asked in a whisper, “Mom, wasn’t this uncle the ‘estranged’ friend from the plane?”
Her innocent words made both Yunice and Oscar laugh, their smiles filled with both relief and sadness. Yunice kissed her daughter’s cheek and explained softly, “Yes, sweetheart. But now, we’ve made up. He isn’t an old friend anymore—he’s my brother, your uncle.” “Uncle?” Mindy repeated the word with fascination. She studied Oscar, deciding he looked serious but kind, with gentle eyes. Oscar gazed at the little girl, his heart melting. With trembling hands, he reached out. “Mindy, hello. I’m your uncle. I… may I hold you?” Mindy glanced at her mother’s encouraging nod, then at her father, before generously holding out her small arms. Oscar nearly shook as he gathered her up. The tiny, soft body in his arms filled him with overwhelming joy and the feeling of something once lost, now returned. He clutched her as if holding the world’s most precious treasure. Wyatt slipped an arm around Yunice’s shoulders, steadying her silently. She leaned into him, watching her brother cradle her daughter with trembling reverence, and beyond the windows the vast blue sea stretched beneath the sky. Peace and steadiness filled her heart.
When the trip ended, Yunice and Wyatt prepared to return home. Oscar would stay abroad to oversee his work. On the day they parted, Oscar and Wendy went to see them off. He lifted his hand in farewell, not lowering it until the family of three disappeared from view. Only then did Wendy glance at him, her curiosity breaking through. “Why didn’t you tell them the truth about back then? That you never meant to hide anything on purpose…” Oscar was silent for a moment before lowering his hand slowly. “Back then overseas, Wyatt saved me. He disguised himself, asking about Yunice. He thought I didn’t know who he was. But I kept contact with home, and I recognized him as the same Wyatt stirring up the Powell family, opposing Paul, and opposing us Saunders family too. “I told him Yunice and Paul were doing well, when really… I only wanted to protect Yunice from his reach. I thought it was safer. But it backfired. Fate twisted it all. “None of that matters now. Because I did act with some selfishness, and I did hurt Yunice. I don’t deserve her forgiveness. The fact that she’s willing to let the past go—that’s what I cherish most. Blood ties are a strange, unshakable thing.”