Amina listened in fascination and surprise at what he shared and when he was finally finished, she stroked his face. “And how do you feel about that information?”
“I’m not sure yet. I wonder if my father only wanted to meet me because he knows I’m his only biological son. I’m guessing Soo-ah has been having an affair with Cha before she married my father. It was an arrangement marriage after all. But she was probably desperate to fight for her children’s position in JKB even though I don’t want anything to do with it.”
“Do you think she’ll eventually try to harm you again?”
“If she does, I’ll be ready. And this time I’m armed with the ammunition to stop her.”
“Do you plan on reaching out to your father?”
“I don’t know. He may think I want something to do with the company but all I want is to meet him. That’s it. But right now I want to focus on our life together. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And no this isn’t a proposal because you deserve fireworks, flowers and the complete package.”
She cupped the side of his face and pressed her lips against his. “I don’t need any fan fair. All I need is you. And now that we both have this second chance at life, I’m going to spend the rest of my days loving you.”
Ethan wrapped his arms around her. “No regrets?”
Amina’s heart swelled with love for this man who had not only saved her from the pits of despair but showed her the meaning of true love.
“No regrets.”
Epilogue
“When Mr. Park said that you wanted to get in contact me, I thought I was dreaming. I was pleased when he told me you accepted my invitation to stay in my villa for a couple weeks. I wanted to video conference with you to assure myself that you’re actually coming.” Jung Kang-chul’s voice was steady but it waved slightly.
If Ethan didn’t know better, he would think that the old man was going to cry.
“Trust me, this is a bit surreal for me as well. I didn’t expect to have this video chat with you. I thought the first time we meet would be face to face.”
“That was my intention, but I couldn’t wait. I’ve wanted to meet you for a very long time. There’s so much I want to tell you and so much I owe you.”
Ethan wasn’t sure how to respond. When his mother had given him the business card of his father’s secretary, he’d sat on it for a while. But with Amina’s encouragement, he reached out and instantly received a response.
To his surprise, he was issued an invitation to visit his father. Ethan accepted on the condition that he could bring Amina. Once they’d come to an agreement, Mr. Park made the arrangements for their visit, purchasing them first class tickets.
The timing was right because he and Frank had recently taken two more doctors into their practice which would free up his schedule for a bit. And Amina was due for a vacation, so she was happy to join him.
With two days to go before they left for Korea, Ethan was surprised when Mr. Park contacted him to say that his father wished to video call him which bought him here, speaking with his father through his laptop in the middle of the night because of the different time zones.
“Then why didn’t you? I went to Korea years ago to find you. But your people told me, you wanted nothing to do with me.”
“Those were my father’s people. He made sure any attempt you made to contact me was intercepted. Although this is no excuse, I tried to keep in touch with you through your mother, but I lost hope after a while. Even now, knowing I’ll finally get to meet you, I’m impatient, hence the video call. You’re still coming, correct?”
“Yes. Me and my partner will be there.”
The old man nodded his head. “Yes, I’m aware. Is she from a good family?”
Ethan stiffened. “Does it matter?” he asked defensively. “If it’s an issue we don’t have to come.”
“No! I…I shouldn’t have asked that. Please excuse me. I just wanted reassurance that you’re happy.”
“I am very much so.”
“That’s good. Ethan, I know you may feel resentment toward me and rightfully so. I loved Min-na, but I was weak, and I couldn’t stand up to my family. I offered to help as much as Icould, but your mother is a proud woman. I don’t blame her for wanting nothing to do with me after I abandoned her.”
Ethan wanted to be angry with his father for leaving them behind, but he also understood the pressure Kang-chul must have been under, being the heir to such a large conglomerate and shouldering the burden of the Jung name.
There was something Ethan did needed to know. “And how does your wife feel about my visit?”
Kang-chul sighed. “She won’t be happy, but she can’t stop me from acknowledging you. You are my son, and I won’t hide that fact anymore. And there’s nothing she can do about it.”