Second Love Story

Chapter 12: Rebonding

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Clara’s room, painting her surroundings with a golden glow. She sat by the windowsill, the small box found in her grandfather’s favorite spot cradled in her hands. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it to reveal its contents—a bunch of old keys and two folded letters. Her eyes scanned the keys, searching for the one that might unlock Marie’s trunk. Finally, she found it—an aged iron key with an engraving that matched the lock’s brand perfectly.

Relief coursed through her, but her attention shifted to the folded papers. They bore sequences of numbers written in neat, familiar handwriting.

“161109 and 050210?” Clara murmured, lost in thoughts. Her brow furrowing. “Are these dates? She wrote one just a couple of months before she passed…” She paused, her heart sinking as the timeline clicked in her mind.

With growing apprehension, Clara picked up the first letter and began to read.

---

“Clare sweety,

If you have found this letter, I assume you’ve met with Alan.

As my shadow investigations showed some results, I’ve gathered everything in the safe. Michele was instrumental in the digging. I doubt he read any of the contents, but he is an asset—if he’s still around. If you choose to continue investigating, you must take him with you. Michele may be your childhood friend, but he was well-trained to assist me.

At first, it was just curiosity that led me to follow them, but now, I am frankly scared of their existence. Those people might be more powerful than the visibly strong ones. Be careful.

Love,

Marie.”

---

A shockwave washed over her as Clara stared at the paper, her breath catching. Michele—a friend she had known since childhood—had lived a life she barely understood. They had attended the same school and shared memories, and yet there was a side of him she had never known existed. He had been part of Marie’s inner circle, trained to support her ambitions and shield her secrets. The inner circle she had no idea of all those 10 years she poured her attention into Eunison.

Brushing aside her racing thoughts, Clara picked up the second letter. It said, “Dear Clara,” which was the first time Marie ever called her name properly.

Feeling the weight of its seriousness as she unfolded it, Clara continued to read the second letter.

---

“Dear Clara,

I am tired. I’ve just learned things about Dad that shattered everything I thought I knew.

Do you remember how Mom refused to leave the countryside, even after Dad made Eunison a big success? Grandpa was actually protecting us from him all along. I found Mom’s diary. Dad wasn’t who we thought he was.

Dad was controlling, obsessed with lineage. Mom once said she was relieved she couldn’t have more children after you. At the time, I thought it was a strange thing to say, but now I understand. He wanted a son, Clara, someone to carry the Cooper name. He pushed away his siblings, leaving them in dire straits. I met Aunt Susan last week. She lives in a poor environment but still refuses my help. The scars Dad left on this family run deep.

And Ben… oh, Ben. I found documents he signed that stripped him of any rights in our family. He agreed to be my shadow, to live without a voice, all for love. I see the pride he swallows every day, and I wish he hadn’t loved me so much. It breaks my heart. I mean, why would he agree to something this ridiculous? I seriously wish he hadn’t loved me.

I am just venting my frustrations and anger. Check the safe for all the documents, as well as mine and mom’s journals. I am not asking you to find the culprit who might have killed our father. But please help Ben. He deserves at least that much. Please…

Marie.”

---

Tears welled up in Clara’s eyes as she read the letters, her chest tightening with grief and frustration. Marie had carried so much, hidden so much, all to protect those she loved. Clara felt the weight of her sister’s burdens settle on her shoulders, her mind swirling with questions and guilt.

Marie had always kept her inner self—her emotions, feelings and thoughts closed off. She never shared anything personal, not with me or with Ben. She was very specific and strict when it came to keeping the vibe happy. One of the main reasons that Ben arranged that sudden trip was to get her back to her cheerful self, as she was obviously barely hanging in there.

---

On the other hand, completely oblivious to anything Clara was going through, Ash and Robert departed from the countryside and headed to the city.

Amidst the morning sunlight filtering through the trees, casting soft shadows along the quiet countryside roads as Ash and Robert drove toward the Cooper Mansion. The long, winding path, lined with towering oaks and the occasional glimpse of farmland, created a serene backdrop for their lively conversation. Ash held his phone in hand, chatting animatedly with Gray.

It was Ash Cooper’s birthday the next day, the 12th of August. Among Ash’s circle, it has become a tradition to celebrate the entire night partying in one of their exclusive places, and the places were randomly selected by someone from their group, other than the birthday person. This time, the location was picked by Ronnie—Ronin Nite, heir to the Atoze group.

Like the Coopers, the Nites are a powerful conglomerate family. If the Coopers are the wealthiest, the Nites are the most influential family. Ronnie, though an heir to the Atoze Group—which leads society in almost all necessity departments—his passion was diving. He owns a resort with a private beach in Malibu, where Ash’s birthday party was planned to hold.

“So where are we partying this time? And please say it's not Malibu.” Ash inquired, his tone curious.

Gray’s line was silent.

Ash exhaled a soft sigh, leaning his face against his palm, “Malibu it is. Yay…” his cheerful words did not match his annoyed expression.

“Well, guess you and Ronnie are fated…” Gray tries to cheer Ash up but utterly fails, as he isn’t cheerful either.

Ash chuckled. “Yep, so fated. Guess I’ll have to prepare my diving gear.”

Gray laughed along helplessly. “Right… mine too..”

As their laughter faded, the car rounded the final bend, and the iron gates of the Cooper Mansion came into view. The gates creaked open, welcoming Ash home after ten long days away. His heart raced with anticipation, the thought of seeing Violet making his palms sweat. But as he stepped into the living area, his excitement gave way to disappointment.

Ben sat alone on the couch, dressed sharply in his usual formal attire, a magazine in hand. His presence suggested he had just returned from Eunison.

Ash’s eyes swept the room, searching for Violet. Thomas approached discreetly, his voice low. “Madam Iva is away on a business trip, and Miss Violet informed us she’s staying with her father for a few days.”

The weight of disappointment settled heavily on Ash’s chest, his face betraying his feelings. Ben noticed the fleeting expression. He said nothing but tried to approach to welcome his son. Instead, his gaze fell on Ash’s wrist, and his throat tightened at the sight of the watch. Without a word, Ben rose and retreated to his room, leaving Ash standing there, conflicted and confused.

---

While Ash was busy freshening up, Ben, in his room, paced restlessly. His heart and mind in turmoil. Memories of Marie flooded his mind, unbidden and relentless. He sat on the edge of his bed, unsure how to contain himself. He walked to his balcony to calm himself, but that was to no yield. As he leaned back on his couch, reminiscing the days he had lost forever. His lips trembled, and tears spilled silently down his cheeks.

Unable to resist the pull of nostalgia, Ben left his room and climbed the stairs to the third floor. His feet felt heavy with emotion as he approached the hallway to Marie’s room. But just as he reached for the third floor, he froze.

Ash was there, unlocking the door. The soft click of the lock echoed in the hallway as the door creaked open. Sensing someone’s presence, Ash turned, his eyes meeting Ben’s.

For a moment, neither spoke, the air thick with unspoken emotions.

“Can I… join you? Son?” Ben’s voice was hesitant, almost pleading. His eyes betrayed his desperation to step into the room that once held so much of Marie.

Ash hesitated briefly but then nodded, stepping aside to let his father in.

---

Every step Ben took into the room felt like a journey back in time. His heart pounded, each beat carrying a memory, a fragment of a life once filled with love and joy.

Thomas, who had brought a tray with a bowl of soup for Ash, paused at the doorway, taking in the scene. Recognizing the gravity of the moment, he quietly retreated downstairs, leaving father and son alone.

Ash, on the other hand, followed, watching his father closely. He got a chance to observe his father’s face for the first time in a long while, noting the raw emotion etched on his face. He saw how Ben hadn’t moved on from Marie’s death. For some reason, he felt that Ben was guilty about something.

Feeling pitiful, Ash tried to offer the room key, “Do you want the ke—” but he was cut off as Ben rushed his nostalgia. “That wristwatch… We got it when you were 3 years old. I was choosing a toy while Marie was busy making you a groom,” a smile tucked in at the corner of Ben’s lips.

Ash touched the watch, slipping out a smile. He let Ben in his train of emotions.

Feeling comfortable in his dear mom’s room, Ash slid on a bean bag holding Marie’s scarf. Ben was too focused on taking in the image of Marie’s face for the first time in a long while. Both the father and son had to remove Marie’s traces from their lives for them to keep going—keep living. But that avoidance just never gave them the closure they needed.

The room was as Marie had left it—soft but cold in her absence. The room and things were infused with her essence. Photos lined the walls, capturing moments of laughter, love, and life. Ben’s gaze lingered on one in particular—a small, framed picture of him and Marie standing together in the snow, their smiles radiant against the winter landscape. The photo caught his eyes, filled with tears.

“First snow…” Ben murmured, his voice barely audible as he picked up the tiny frame.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Ash asked gently, his curiosity piqued.

Though Ash knows many stories about Marie, he never really got to know what she meant for Ben for him to abandon everything after her death. They made quite a name during their university days. Some of Ash’s professors used to be his parents' friends or classmates, and they would sometimes say how crazy Marie was and talk about their famous love story.

Ben, with a sorrow-filled smile, sat on the edge of the bed, the frame cradled in his hands. He took a deep breath, his voice trembling as he began. “It was early winter, during our university days—semester starting, and I was just… normal, surviving. Life before Marie was routine. Waking up, going to school, working odd jobs… It was all about making ends meet.”

Ash pulled a beanbag closer and sat down, his mother’s scarf draped over his lap as he listened intently.

Ben continued, his voice growing steadier. “I wasn’t rich like your mom. My parents divorced when I was young, and neither wanted me. They sent child support, paid for a caretaker, but there was no warmth, no family. By the time I was an adult, I was on my own. Money was all I thought about, all I chased.

One day, during a gig, I saw her—your mom. She was walking down a snowy street, her short dark hair catching the light, her smile brighter than the sun. She was like a swan gliding through the frost.”

A soft smile tugged at Ash’s lips as he imagined the scene.

Ben chuckled softly, his eyes misting over. “She was completely out of my league. But somehow, fate brought us together. While I was struggling to manage my spot in the top 10 barely, she so effortlessly dominated the toppers. And not to mention that she was a social butterfly.

It was a party where I worked as a part-time server. She approached me and asked if I had finished my reports. I was completely clueless. She was obviously annoyed and told me that we were classmates.

It was only then that I started to notice her presence. We were in closer proximity than I had expected. Same class, same electives, same labs… Somehow, one day, I managed to talk to her. And in a blink of an eye, we were close friends.”

As they continued to stroll through Ben’s memory lane, their soft peals of laughter and tears continued. Completely unaware of the hype the mansion employees were making.

Thomas and others called Florence, who was with Clara in the countryside, to share the news of Ben and Ash having a moment with her.

---

However, there was a storm brewing in the countryside.

Hours passed unnoticed as Clara sat in her room, lost in thought. Her mind was in a tornado. Florence stopped by several times, offering food and checking on her, but she barely acknowledged her. By nightfall, Florence and Michele arrived as decided in the morning, their concern evident.

Seeing Michele, Clara revealed her emotions. Michele, her awkward friend, broke the heavy silence. “Have you had food? Or would you like me to get you something?”

Clara glared at him while her tears remained within her eyelids. Both Florence and Michele were clueless about the situation. “Was the box useless, Miss Clara?” Florence enquired softly, while Michele mumbled, “Or the box revealed secrets…”

Clara, who heard Michele’s muttering, said, “Spoken like a true agent,” in a sharp yet low voice.

Michele clenched his fist, gripping the bag he brought harder. Florence had no idea what was going on. Florence was Michele’s Aunt and the only family for Michele. Just when the mood in the room was growing thick, Florence received a call from Thomas

As she stepped out to attend the call, Michele and Clara engaged in an intense conversation. He now has no choice but to talk about everything.

They started with Michele’s identity but quickly veered into how Marie had invested her efforts to keep her independent sister safe from turbulent thoughts. Clara’s decision, after learning the truth, would bring lost time and hidden truths to light.