Chapter 87: Chapter 87

Zed's POV

I stare at the charcoal portraits of two little kids. One painting shows them holding hands, another shows them eating together, and another shows them chasing happily. Those portraits depict my longing to be with the brother I had never met.

I don't realize that my tears are already brimming in my eyes as I recall those days when I sent those paintings to the orphanage with the money my father asked me to send. I wonder if dad had noticed that I always paint a portrait every month and made sure I finish them before it's time to send them to him.

"You keep them," I say, lifting my teary eyes to Dennis.

Dennis rolls his eyes. "You made me so poor back then. All the money that daddy sent went to the expensive frames I bought for those portraits."

Ella laughs but tears pool at the corners of her beautiful eyes. She looks so divine in her bridal gown; her angelic face matches the glitters of those thousands of diamonds that Den adorned on her wedding dress.

"I'm sorry," I grin, pulling him into a hug. "I'll make it up to you."

"Don't ever think I am giving them back to you as wedding gifts. They're treasures more precious than my fat bank account."

"Oh, my son is bragging!" butts in the mom I had just met. She hugs and kisses Ella and me before we pose for the pictorial. But, of course, the public doesn't know who she is – that will be a secret we will keep for a lifetime.

I feel awkward, recalling how the mom I grew up with loved me like I was the world to her. But I chose to understand why she didn't openly acknowledge us. We couldn't have lived in peace if not for this selfless decision. She's not evil; she just grew up in a kind of world she didn't choose.

"My darlings, do you like the destinations for your honeymoon?" She smiles at us, showing her perfect set of teeth. I never expect that someday I'll wake up to know a mother who is regal and as beautiful as she is.

"Those are perfect, mom! I love them," Ella replies shyly, glancing at me for support.

"Thank you, mom. But they are so expensive."

She sighs, but her tender smile never leaves her face. "Oh, darling! How I wish I could give you both the world."

"Did you also book me a ticket?" Den butts in, his eyes anticipating.

"What? It's a honeymoon, darling!" she exclaims, her eyes widening.

"But who would look after the baby? I would never entrust him to a nanny!"

I laugh and shake my head, my heart welling in an overwhelming sense of joy. Finally, Ella is mine and mine alone. I can now look forward without fear to a future of happiness with her. And she's not only the best life reward I get. This life has also blessed me with a family.

"There's no need to book. We own a jet."

Den, the one they call eccentric, finally grins. He's never eccentric, but too much of a genius that an average person finds him weird. I still can't believe the heavens gifted me with a brother I can be very proud of.

The lady of the ceremony then announces Kim and Yen to come forward for the pictorial. The two quickly march towards us, both wearing genuine smiles. Finally, Yen no longer has that glint of guilt in her eyes whenever she looks at me. And I can see how truly happy she is now as she marches beside Kim.

"You're so stunning, Ella!" exclaims Yen as she wraps her in a hug. How ironic life is! Now, Yen and Kim have become a family.

Ella giggles. "How can I not be stunning when you all spoil me with the world's most expensive wedding gown?"

All of us laugh with her. She's right! Den makes sure his creation will make it to the Guinness Book of World Records.

"Congratulations, Zed! If Ella hadn't stolen that painting successfully, Den would not have the best proof that you are his brother. Although, he's long been sure that you're the one."

"Haven't you thought of DNA testing? How weird!" Yen says, expressing her displeasure on delaying the confirmation.

"Dear, you know that Den is stubborn. He has his own way of thinking that no one of us can argue with. For years, he has been tracking the anonymous person who bought that painting, but his efforts were futile. He staged that exhibit as bait because he knew that the one who would be interested in that painting, despite the crazy value, must be the one who recognizes the worth of the painting."

The sound of trotting footsteps then echoes in the hall. We don't have to look up to know where it comes from.

"Have I missed a lot of wonderful things?" Ara asks, her voice reverberating against the walls of our wedding venue. Behind her are the rows of tables and chairs, dressed according to our gold-and-burgundy motif.

The vast space, enclosed in glass walls and roofs, holds the hundreds of dignitaries and friends we invite to our wedding. Adorned with beautiful flowers from different parts of the world and crafted in an exquisite design, we sure grab the title of the best wedding of the century.

"No one can afford that," I chuckle, patting my best friend's shoulder before she poses in front of the glaring cameras.

"Would I look beautiful?"

"As beautiful as your heart."

I will never forget how she put her life in danger just to be by my side. She has shown me the best gift of true friendship, time and again.

Two years later...

I stand beside Ella as she grips the side rails of the delivery table. On her foot part, Dr. Mitch sits on a stool before her widely-spread leg, encouraging her to push hard. I am trembling in anxiety as I watch how Ella makes it through the waves of contraction. I have even decided that this pregnancy should be the last. I can no longer afford her to go through this stage again.

"Take a deep breath, then push!"

"Ahhh!" Ella groans, and the sound of her agony slices through my heart. I squeeze her hands, letting her draw some strength from me.

"There she is! One more time, Ella!"

I smile as I watch Dr. Mitch. I appreciate how she doesn't refuse to still be Ella's obstetrician after all that happened two years ago. Those years had been grueling for all of us, but everything has changed into better perspectives. Jamella chain of restaurants is flourishing, XYZ coffee shops have multiplied, and The Quartet has expanded to Bhutan and other countries. Aside from that, Jamella Tech and Kim Yuan have also merged, and Kim gives both Ella and Den equal shares.

“Aaaaah!” Ella groans again, but longer this time, disrupting my train of thoughts.

“Good, Ella!” Dr. Mitch says, her eyes sparkling above the edge of her face mask. She springs to her feet, and the pediatrician steps forward, followed by a scrub nurse.

The next thing I hear is the shrill cry of a baby. Her cry sounds so magical, making my heart jump for joy. She is mine, my own flesh, and blood, although it will not make her more favored than my son. They both hold special places in my heart.

“She’s beautiful, Zed!” Ella exclaims as Dr. Mitch places her on her chest. She rubs her lovingly while looking at me.

“I’m not surprised,” I smile, rubbing the top of her head with my hand. She giggles, but I bend down and silence her with a hot and fiery kiss.