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chapter 50
If he came not as a father but as a guest, then, though it was a little bothersome, she could at least welcome him.
“Master won’t be able to come because he’s worried about the young lady’s reaction.”
“Worried? Since when would he worry about me? He always clung only to Esther.”
Even young Lynette knew that her father openly favored her older sister. That was why she merely scoffed at Nixon’s words.
“He regrets it very much now.”
“Does he? How nice it would have been if he had regretted it a little earlier.”
Regret was always late. Lynette’s heart, which had turned away over the years, wouldn’t suddenly return in an instant. Watching Lynette still keeping her distance, Nixon took a heavy breath and said:
“Two years have already passed. Even if Master has shown an unfortunate side of himself, perhaps you could still visit him on his birthday.”
“Was I really his child? Seeing you come all the way here to say this… Why? Did Father send you to speak on his behalf?”
“That couldn’t be. Master sometimes glances out the window while working and smiles faintly. Then he sighs.”
Lynette frowned slightly at Nixon’s words. The garden was visible from Kenis’s office. When she was young, except for the busy Kenis, the family would gather in the garden.
She remembered looking up while playing and seeing Kenis smiling and waving at them.
Back then, it was somewhat happy. But that happiness had faded and no longer existed. Recalling that faint memory, Lynette looked at Nixon and said:
“So, Father didn’t ask you to come; you came on your own. Do you realize how presumptuous that is?”
“I understand. I do… but consider why you’ve grown up to this point and were able to set up this store.”
“I see… yes, thanks to Father, I didn’t go hungry, lived well, and even bought this store.”
Being born not into a struggling household was already something to be thankful for. And being born into a noble family and receiving a proper education was fortunate as well. Lynette nodded at Nixon’s words, understanding he meant she shouldn’t disregard the father who made her who she was today.
She could have just scoffed, thinking money wasn’t everything—but she didn’t. After all, money had mattered. Thanks to it, she had lived comfortably. Rising from her seat, Lynette said:
“Alright, I’ll go on Father’s birthday. It just happens to be my day off too. But I’m not going there to meet him.”
“Thank you, young lady!”
Nixon, grateful simply that Lynette agreed to come to the Fruina residence, bid farewell. Once he left, Lynette exhaled a thin breath.
“Has it really been two years since I left that place? I’ve truly lived as a stranger all this time.”
She looked at the calendar—tomorrow was Kenis’s birthday. When she was young, she’d save her allowance to buy him gifts or pick flowers from the garden to give him.
“Should I buy a gift?”
She frowned briefly, since it wasn’t a matter of lacking money. Until Nixon came, she hadn’t given it a thought, but now, hearing her father’s birthday mentioned, it caught her attention.
“Hm? Is something the matter?”
Startled by a voice, Lynette looked up.
“S-Sian? When did you come?”
“I already greeted you, but you didn’t say anything. Were you thinking of something else?”
Lynette spoke to Sian, who always seemed to appear when no one else was around.
“I was thinking of another man for the first time in a while… my head hurts.”
Grabbing an empty cup, Lynette went inside. Seeing this, Sian ordered a Sepiano.
“Since thinking of other men gives you a headache, how about thinking only of me?”
“I’ll think about it.”
Though Sian was right in front of her, Lynette’s gaze remained fixed on the calendar. Seeing her distracted, Sian swallowed nervously.
“Are you really thinking about another man?”
“That’s my personal matter.”
Lynette’s response made it clear not to ask further. Sian kept staring at her throughout the coffee, while Lynette, after receiving a delivery from Angela, hurried to prepare to leave.
“Angela, handle the closing today. I have urgent business, so I’ll be leaving.”
“Yes, take care.”
After working for two years at Ikreulim, Angela had become quite skilled at making coffee, thanks to Lynette. Confident that Angela could manage the store alone, Lynette headed out.
“Lynette? Can I help you with anything…”
“No, I’ll see you next time.”
Ignoring Sian, Lynette went straight home and consulted Katrin.
“You haven’t said anything until now, so I kept quiet too, but no matter how upset or hurt you feel, he is still your father.”
She couldn’t deny the person who gave her life and made it possible for her to live as she did. Nodding at Katrin’s words, Lynette prepared to visit the Fruina residence the next day.
Though she assumed the staff would cook delicious food as usual, she still prepared some herself and brought coffee beans. The next day, she went to a flower shop and bought a fresh bouquet.
With everything ready, Lynette dragged her heavy feet to the Fruina residence. When she left, her mind had been filled with thoughts, but now, nothing.
“Ah, young lady! Welcome!”
Nixon, who had been pacing the gate, greeted her personally. Smiling brightly, he carried her luggage.
“Father?”
“He’s out for a moment but will return soon.”
“I see. Then I’ll just be in briefly and leave, so no need to prepare anything. I just need the kitchen for a moment.”
“Why? Even if it’s just a meal, you should stay. Master will be very happy to see you.”
Nixon tried to persuade Lynette, who seemed ready to leave without eating, but she shook her head.
“I didn’t come here for a meal. I’ll handle something in the kitchen, so don’t bother Father with my visit. I hate nuisances.”
Ignoring Nixon, she entered the house. The staff bowed as she passed. Smiling broadly, she saw the head maid, Bessie, running toward her.
“Miss, it’s been so long! The room is ready for you.”
“Do you think I came here to settle down forever?”
“We always hope for your return, so we prepare the room. Even if you leave, at least rest a moment.”
Bessie spoke cautiously, watching Lynette’s expression. Shaking her head, Lynette entered the kitchen, where everyone was busy preparing the birthday meal. Her appearance instantly changed the atmosphere.
“Miss Lynette? What brings you here?”
“I didn’t want to come, but Nixon insisted. Continue your work. I’ll handle my business.”
Waving at the head chef, Lynette settled in one corner of the kitchen. While steaming and baking dumplings from the day before, she prepared coffee. The rich aroma quickly filled the kitchen, drawing the staff’s attention.
“Miss, may I help you?”
“No need. I’ll finish soon, you continue your tasks.”
The hesitant head chef tried to offer help, but Lynette declined, grinding roasted beans herself.
“Who drinks coffee here?”
“Master has had coffee brewed once a week since two years ago.”
There was equipment for coffee in the kitchen; Bessie answered her question. Kenis drank coffee only once a week.
“Once a week? Seems like a hobby. After I’m done, tidy up this place. I won’t have time.”
“Yes, understood.”
Lynette quickly brewed the coffee, using milk to draw something on top. Bessie’s eyes widened in surprise. None of the staff had seen milk used for decoration before.
Creating a beautiful coffee, Lynette placed it with the dumplings on a tray.
“Miss, Master has returned. Even if you don’t eat together, you should at least greet him.”
Seeing Nixon rushing over, Lynette silently handed him the tray and gave the bouquet to Bessie.
“I don’t want to see Father’s face, so I’ll leave.”
“But Miss, you’re in the same house—how can you leave without seeing him?”
“My feelings haven’t fully settled yet. This will suffice as my answer.”
Having come after two years and left within an hour, Nixon sighed. How did it come to this? If a child refuses to see their father, what more can be said?
“It’s still your father who gave birth to you… Poor Lynette and Master both.”
Holding the fragrant bouquet, Bessie shook her head. The lingering resentment was clear.
“Can’t be helped. I’ll deliver this to Master immediately.”
Carrying Lynette’s offerings, Nixon knocked on Kenis’s door.
“I was resting after returning from going out… what is it?”
“I’ve brought something for you, Master. Please spare a moment.”
Kenis frowned slightly while removing his coat. Seeing Nixon with the food tray and Bessie with the bouquet, he looked puzzled.
“If it’s for my birthday, there’s no need…”
“Miss Lynette came just to give this… Master!”
Before Nixon could finish, Kenis ran outside. From the building, he could see Lynette’s small figure near the gate. But as he reached out, she turned the corner and disappeared. He could only watch the path she had passed.
He wanted to reach her but couldn’t—seeing her reject him so directly would hurt too much. Becoming a coward before his own child, Kenis bit his lips and went back inside.
“So Lynette made this herself…”
“Yes, and she brought this bouquet too.”
A bouquet of red roses—it resembled Marsha’s red hair, a flower Kenis liked. Seeing the flowers, he realized Lynette had made the food herself. It was the first time he had tasted such dishes. Nodding, he found it delicious.
The coffee, carefully decorated with the Fruina family crest of laurel leaves, made his heart ache even more. He watched it without drinking, worried the design would be ruined. When it cooled slightly, he sipped carefully. The latte was richer and smoother than usual, and his eyes blurred with tears.
Blinking, a warm sensation entered the cup. Drinking the tear-soaked coffee, Kenis trembled.
“My child… my daughter… when will I be forgiven?”
