With a warm smile, Jedidiah stepped into the room, greeting everyone with a gentle nod and a quiet, "Good evening, everyone." The room, once buzzing with murmurs and shifting papers, fell into a deafening silence—as though the air had turned to ice. It was like winter had arrived too soon.
Dr. Raymond stood at the head of the long conference table, straightening the cuffs of his navy suit. He looked at each face in the room before letting out a long breath and beginning his address.
"The recent term has been turbulent," he began, his voice firm, clipped, yet controlled. "We've had to deal with several unexpected setbacks—not just in our internal operations, but also in our negotiations with external stakeholders." He paused, allowing the gravity of the moment to settle.
Jedidiah leaned back in his chair, watching carefully.
Dr. Raymond continued, "The incident that occurred last quarter has left a stain on our reputation. It's jeopardized our major partnership which we've have been trying to nurture. We are now paying the price for the reckless decisions of a few individuals."
A heavy pause.
"And in order to address this, certain actions must be taken. This is not personal—it's necessary."
He turned toward Hayden, who was seated two chairs away from Jedidiah.
"Effective immediately," Dr. Raymond said, his tone sharper now, "Hayden is removed from the Engineering and Technology department."
Hayden's head snapped up, his breath caught in his throat.
Dr. Raymond went on, unwavering. "His monthly salary will be reduced, along with the salaries of those who were found complicit in orchestrating this scandal."
The words landed like a punch to the gut. Hayden opened his mouth slightly, but no sound came out. Color drained from his face as he turned to look at his colleagues. None met his eyes. Some stared at the polished surface of the table. Others shifted uncomfortably.
Jedidiah glanced briefly at Hayden but said nothing.
After what felt like an eternity, Dr. Raymond added, "This decision is final."
The meeting ended in quiet awkwardness. The sound of chairs scraping against the floor echoed in the room as everyone gathered their things and left. One by one, they filed out until only Hayden and Aquileia remained.
Hayden sat frozen, staring blankly at the conference table. His hands trembled as he reached for his folder, but his mind was far too scattered to organize anything. He thought of what had been said about him. How quickly everything had crumbled.
Aquileia stood at the far end of the room, silently collecting the remaining papers. She was precise, methodical, her eyes never once drifting toward Hayden.
He swallowed hard. He wanted to speak to her, to apologize. But the guilt was choking him.
Eventually, after battling the shaking in his limbs, Hayden stood up. He took a hesitant step toward her.
"Aquileia," he said, his voice barely audible.
She froze for a second but didn't look up.
He continued, a little louder. "Can we just talk—"
Without a word, she turned and walked out, her heels clicking against the floor.
Hayden stood there, alone.
That evening, Jedidiah returned to his apartment. The air was warm and still, but his mind was elsewhere. He tossed his jacket over the back of a chair and slumped into the couch, finally taking a breath.
His phone buzzed on the table. He reached for it absentmindedly and glanced at the screen.
"Today marks nine year since Grandma Roseline passed away. Thinking of her."
The message came from a nurse at the hospital. Tears formed instantly in his eyes.
He clutched the phone and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. A flood of memories overtook him.
FLASHBACK
The hospital room smelled of antiseptic and quiet dread. Machines beeped steadily as Roseline (His Grandmother) lay on the bed, motionless. Her skin was pale, her lips dry. Tubes protruded from her arms and nose.
"Grandma... I'm here," Jedidiah whispered as he knelt beside her. He held her frail hand carefully, terrified that too much pressure would hurt her.
Her eyes fluttered open, barely able to focus. Her lips moved slowly.
"Jed... darling... I'm... so proud of you..."
His throat tightened. "Don't say that, Grandma. You're going to get better. You always do."
She smiled weakly. "You were... the only one who stayed."
His grip tightened on her hand. "Of course I stayed. I'll always stay."
He remembered that week vividly. How it all started.
Three days earlier, he had come home to chaos. Roseline had been arguing with Alice—her daughter, Jedidiah's mother. Alice's words were cruel, loud. The house echoed with their shouting.
"I've heard enough, Mother! You think just because your marriage failed, you can tell me how to live mine?"
Roseline, calm but deeply hurt, responded, "I'm trying to save you from my mistakes. I see where you're heading, and it's not good for you—or for Jedidiah."
Alice sneered. "Don't bring him into this. You've always loved him more than your own daughter. No wonder Dad cheated on you."
Those words stung more than anything. Roseline's expression faltered. Her hand clutched her chest.
Jedidiah came rushing into the living room just in time to see Roseline collapse.
"Grandma!" he shouted, running to her side. Her breathing was ragged, her fingers twitching.
He pulled out his phone, frantically dialing. Kennedith didn't pick up. Kate let the call ring out. Sofia never responded. Alice? Blocked his number immediately.
In desperation, he called Dr. Raymond.
A woman answered.
"Hello?"
Jedidiah frowned. "Um… I'm looking for Dr. Raymond."
"Who's this?" she asked.
"It's... his grandson. His wife just collapsed. Please—I need to speak to him."
There was a pause before Dr. Raymond took the phone.
"Don't mention what you heard," he warned immediately.
Jedidiah was confused. "What? Grandpa, I'm not calling about that—I'm calling because Grandma's in trouble. She collapsed after an argument with my mom. Please, I need your help!"
Silence.
Then the call ended.
Jedidiah ran outside and flagged down a passing car, begging the driver to take them to the hospital. He stayed with her for two days, refusing to leave. Nurses began to recognize him.
On the third day, Alice showed up, eyes puffy and frantic. Behind her were her siblings and Dr. Raymond.
Roseline was unconscious by then. Machines had taken over.
Jedidiah tried to stay, but Dr. Raymond blocked the doorway.
"You've done enough," he said coldly.
Jedidiah clenched his fists but stepped back.
As he left, he turned and saw his mother watching him. Their eyes met.
She looked away.
Back in the present, Jedidiah sat on the couch, tears dripping down his cheeks. "I miss you, Grandma," he whispered.
At Raymond Tech, a presentation was in full swing. Aquileia stood in front of the board, her voice clear and confident. Slides changed on the screen behind her. Charts, projections, strategic plans.
Hayden sat at the side, but his mind wandered. He watched her lips move but heard none of the words. He was staring at the woman he had betrayed.
The meeting ended. Polite claps. Aquileia began gathering her things.
Hayden stood, took a step toward her. "Aquileia."
She didn't even glance at him.
He quickened his pace. "Please. I just want to talk."
She walked faster.
He followed her into the elevator, stepping in just as the doors began to close.
Inside, a few employees were whispering. Their eyes flicked toward Aquileia, then Hayden. Their voices lowered.
Hayden snapped. "If you have something to say, say it. Don't act like cowards."
Silence. One of them coughed.
The elevator dinged. Aquileia stepped out.
Hayden followed. "Aquileia, please. I just need a minute."
She turned around, finally facing him. Her eyes burned with emotion.
"A minute to what? Blame Jedidiah again? Is that your fallback?" Her voice was sharp.
"He came and you were around him—so I thought..."
She cut him off. "I'm his liaison, Hayden. I handle his affairs in this company. You knew that. You are my boyfriend. Yet you still—"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"You betrayed me. Again. And you still won't take responsibility."
He stepped back.
"It's not the first time," she added, voice dropping. "Even back in university, you had a habit of twisting things. I let it slide then. I won't anymore."
She turned and left, leaving Hayden alone.
Meanwhile, at the Raymond residence, Dr. Raymond entered his private study. The heavy oak door shut with a soft click behind him. He loosened his tie and let out a long, exhausted breath. His steps were slow as he approached his desk, where a framed photograph stood in the corner.
He reached for it.
In the picture, Roseline stood beside him, her smile radiant. The inscription read, "My beloved Roseline. Always by my side."
Dr. Raymond sank into his chair. The leather creaked under his weight. He held the photo tightly, his thumbs brushing over Roseline's image. His vision blurred slightly, but he wiped his eyes quickly, unwilling to cry.
FLASHBACK
It was the night he left home.
Roseline stood by the doorway of their bedroom, her arms crossed, her face tired but determined.
"I saw the bank statements, RAYMOND," she said, using his full name. "The accounts you opened. The money you're moving. And the woman. I know everything."
Dr. Raymond didn't even flinch. "I don't need this tonight, Roseline. I'm tired."
"You're tired?" Her voice rose. "Tired of being a husband? Tired of being a father? Of being decent?"
He turned sharply. "Don't act like a saint. You always hated Jedidiah and Alice is always treated as your favorite."
Roseline stepped forward, her tone fierce. "Jedidiah needed love. Real love. Not control. He's our grandson, Raymond. Not a pawn."
"I don't care!" he snapped, his voice thunderous. "I never wanted him to inherit this company. I built Raymond Tech. He's a boy with a bleeding heart. Not a leader."
"You're blinded by your pride."
He growled. "I want a divorce."
She stood there, frozen.
Then a quiet sniffle came from the hallway. Alice was standing there, teary-eyed.
Her father looked at her, cold. "What are you doing here?"
Alice stepped forward. "Mom... are you okay?"
Roseline nodded faintly.
Dr. Raymond brushed past them both.
"I'm done," he muttered.
Hours later, he ignored Jedidiah's calls. He didn't know what the boy wanted—but he didn't care. Not until two days later when the housekeeper called him.
"Sir... Madam is in the hospital."
He rushed there. The moment he walked into the room, he saw Roseline pale and unconscious. Tubes connected to her body. And beside her sat young Jedidiah, eyes red from sleepless nights.
Guilt overwhelmed him.
Still, he lashed out.
"You shouldn't be here."
Jedidiah looked up, startled.
"I've been here with her the whole time," he said softly.
"She's my wife," Dr. Raymond barked. "Get out."
As Jedidiah stood, he glanced at Roseline one last time.
He walked out.
Dr. Raymond now held the photo against his chest.
"I failed you," he whispered.
A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.
Aquileia stepped in, holding a folder. "Sir, the report you asked for."
He took it, nodding. "Is everything prepared for tonight?"
"Yes. The venue is ready. Food, seats, staff—everything."
"Good. Inform everyone. Make sure Jedidiah is included."
Aquileia blinked in surprise. "Sir... are you sure?"
He nodded. "Roseline loved him."
She bowed slightly. "I'll send the messages now."
Within the hour, invitations were sent.
Kate, Jane, Kennedith, Pete, Hayden, Michelle, Michael, Sofia, Alice... and finally Jedidiah.
Sophia called her sister Alice, unsure if she'd seen the message.
"Alice? Are you going tonight?"
"No," came the firm reply.
"Sis, please. Just this once."
"I said no, Sophia. I don't want to sit in the same room as him."
"It's for Mom. Please. Let's go. For her."
A long pause.
"If things go sideways, I'm leaving," Alice muttered.
Alice sat quietly by the window, memories flooding in.
FLASHBACK
"Why can't you just let me live my life, Mom?!"
Roseline sat on the couch, her voice calm but firm. "Because your life choices are hurting everyone around you. Including your son."
"You mean Jedidiah? He doesn't even respect me."
"He's a boy trying to survive in a broken family. Don't let your pain guide his."
Alice's face twisted. "You don't understand anything. You think your failed marriage gives you the right to lecture me? Maybe if you hadn't driven Dad away—"
"Enough!"
Roseline stood, tears in her eyes. "I gave everything to this family. I stayed, I prayed, I fought. And now you stand here, repeating my mistakes."
Alice shook her head. "I love Pete. More than I ever loved my husband. And if I have to walk over you to be with him—I will."
Roseline took a shaky step forward. "Don't say something you can't take back."
But Alice already had. She shoved past her mother and stormed out.
Two days later, Roseline collapsed.
Alice ran to the hospital, only to see her father walking away. She dropped to her knees, grabbing his coat.
"Please... don't leave. Help her!"
He shook her off. "She made her choice."
Inside the room, Roseline's voice was faint.
"I love you... take care, darling..."
And then she was gone.
Evening descended.
The private venue shimmered under soft lighting. A round table was set at the center. Slowly, people began to arrive—each in formal attire, each harboring secrets.
Dr. Raymond was already seated.
Kennedith and Jane arrived first, whispering quietly to one another. Michelle came next, greeting people with a forced smile. Hayden entered with hesitant steps.
Then Alice walked in.
The room went silent.
Dr. Raymond gestured to the seat next to him.
Alice looked at it, then walked to the other end of the table.
Sophia entered moments later, and took the seat her sister had refused.
Dr. Raymond glanced toward Aquileia.
"One person is missing."
Jane looked around. "Who?"
He simply said, "Someone important."
The door opened.
Jedidiah stepped in.
The silence deepened. Conversations died. Heads turned.
Jedidiah paused at the entrance, his gaze sweeping across the table. He nodded once.
"I'm here."
Dr. Raymond slowly rose to his feet.
"Then let's begin."