Enchanted By His Charm

Irish felt moved, but she then looked up to her mother and said word by word, "I did nothing wrong!"

"Nothing wrong? You still think that you aren't wrong?" Steven got even more annoyed, staring at her, "We weren't told that you work for the Runestone Group, let alone anything about your dubious relationship with Ruby's husband. When will you be willing to ask for an apology?"

Irish clenched her fists tightly, kneeling forward, "The Lake's have done so many evil things to my mother. Why can't I work for the  Runestone Group? It was unfair for them to treat my mother in this way, and I require some compensation for their evil deeds. They owe us more, Uncle."

"So you seduced Ruby's husband?" Steven asked loudly.

"That's right!" Irish admitted it without excuses. She looked at Steven directly. "They deserve it! I just had started, there's more coming soon until they regret the day they came into this world."

"You..." Steven raised his hand, meaning to slap her. "Steven, if you dare hit her, I will divorce you!" Mary pulled Steven's hand back quickly while shouting at him. Steven's big hand was in a fist, but he released it. He pointed at Irish, fingers trembling, "She made a mistake today. If I don't teach her a lesson, I will be ashamed when I see Rachel in heaven."

"How is it Irish who made a mistake? Shirley did! Don't be ridiculous, we both knew the truth!" Mary had hated the Lake's since Rachel died. She became angrier with these words, shaking Steven's hands away and grabbing the stick, "I will drag her to make an apology to Rachel here."

"Mom..." Jay was shocked.

"Aunt..." Irish spoke, weak and weary, "There are people who would like to see us fighting like this, we must not continue."

Then Mary understood.

Irish didn't speak further.

Steven controlled his temper and walked in front of Irish, asking after a while. "So you want to retaliate against the Lake's for your mother's death?"

"Yes." She answered lightly.

Steven shook his head, looking up at Rachel's photo. After a while, he rubbed the photo frame lightly and choked with sobs, "Sorry, I can't teach Irish anymore. Sorry…"

"Uncle." Irish felt sorrowful. "I didn't make a mistake. I didn't. I just can't let it go so easily."

"So you won't be satisfied until someone dies?" Steven turned to look at her, "Irish, you didn't know anything about your Mom's love for you. You thought that it was my wish that you shouldn't contact the Lake family? It was your mother's! She knew you so well and didn't want you to get hurt or live in hatred. Even simply contacting the Lake's arouses your hatred!"

Irish's tears fell down from her eyes. She just shook her head, "Why? Why… don't we deserve to retaliate?"

"You thought your Mom hated your Dad? She didn't." Steven said slowly, enduring great pain, "She left because she wanted to create a perfect world for your father. Their two families had been in intimate contact with each other for years, so your mother couldn't stand seeing your father threatened by his elders. Even when your mother died, she didn't hate your father. She always told me that the precious memories of the time they spent were good enough for her."

Irish shook her head, crying, "Impossible... Mom wouldn't be so stupid."

"Irish, just let it go, especially Ruby's husband. You can only blame the past. As you often put it, people in the world will always sacrifice themselves for those they love but also hurt others for some benefit. Nobody was right or wrong. Your mother was clear about it that she would rather give up her marriage than let your father suffer. If she were still alive, how could she see you do this? Ruby's husband is your brother-in-law, whether you like it or not, and this relationship can't be changed."

Irish's shoulders trembled, too weak to control her feelings.

Steven felt sad for her, seeing her pale face, but he continued, "You shouldn't act on impulse and think about your actions first!" Then he turned around and shouted before entering the other room, "Come in! Everyone else, stay where you are."

The pain went from her palms to her heart. Irish unfolded her hands, finding dried blood on her palms.

****

When Ruby woke up, it was already nighttime.

A light fragrance flew into the ward with the wind, dispelling the smell of disinfectant.

As she opened her eyes, she heard Shirley sobbing and saw her Dad, Lilith, Roy, and her uncle. Seeing her awake, Shirley called the doctor immediately. After checking, the doctor assured them about her situation.

Ruby was looking for someone, and finally, she saw him standing by the window. She took a glance at the rest and said softly, "I want to have a talk with him."

Shirley nodded, choked with sobs. And then they all went out.

Henry was the last to leave. He raised his hand to pat Joseph's shoulder heavily, intending to say something, but he didn't speak it out. He just shook his head and sighed lightly.

The door closed, and Joseph walked forward and sat down on a chair. He was tired. Ruby turned to look at him, saying after a great while, "Sorry, I should not have suspected you."

Joseph was calm, "You mean the secret about Emery?"

Ruby nodded, "I was too excited and lost my ability to think rationally. You are a man who always keeps your promise."

"They belong in your past. Ruby, you can't live in the memories." Joseph said so seriously.

However, Ruby pulled his hand, sad and cold, "But did Eric really love Emery? If so, how could he still have sex with me?"

Joseph sighed lightly, "Sometimes people can separate sex from love."

Ruby was shocked to hear that.

"I thought that Irish only said it since she was extremely angry, and she would not tell others. At least she never mentioned it to me. If she really wanted to destroy you with this secret, she must have told everyone."

"Don't you think that she was trying to protect you?" Ruby asked.

Joseph raised his eyebrows lightly.