The news of Davis' proposal tore through every sphere of Country Y like wildfire. Media houses could barely keep up with the frenzy, every platform flooded with headlines and speculations.

Headlines flashed across the screens:

Richest Man of Country Y Finally Taken

Allen Group Finds Its Matriarch

Wedding Bells as Davis Allen Proposes

Insider: Davis Allen Married for Years, Ready to Tell the World – Flamboyantly Proposes to Wife

Forced to Marry, Fell in Love and Proposed

Why Do I Suspect That Woman's Identity Matches Lady Bright?

Jessica lay sprawled on the bed, the large diamond ring glittering under the soft light. It sat proudly on her finger, and every time her gaze caught its brilliance, a warm smile tugged at her lips.

It still felt like a dream. Watching the replay of the live broadcast, emotions swirled in her heart, tender yet overwhelming.

She had never expected such a grand proposal from Davis yet he had planned and orchestrated it effortlessly, with a confidence and way she hadn't anticipated.

Her thoughts drifted back to a few years back. Their marriage had actually started off on a wrong note.

It had felt as though she had barged into his carefully guarded space, disrupting his patterns and walls. And yet… here she was, his wife, with the world acknowledging her place beside him.

Scrolling endlessly through her phone, Jessica skimmed one article after another, all centered on the proposal. It was surreal.

Davis lowered himself beside her. His gaze flicked to her screen, then lingered lightly.

"Do you know what this reminds me of?" He asked quietly.

Jessica lifted her gaze to meet his. "What?"

Jessica turned her head, her eyes locking with his. "What?"

"I remembered the first day I woke up," he muttered, voice distant. "I woke up to witness a live broadcast of their engagement."

Jessica tilted her head, a playful smirk curving her lips. "And you still can't bring yourself to call her your ex?"

Davis' brows furrowed, his jaw tightening. "Exes with dignity deserve to be called that. But for her…" his voice dropped, heavy with disappointment, "I was let down beyond measure."

Jessica sighed, sitting up to face him. "I think you need to see this from another angle."

He gave a dry chuckle. "Babe, you don't get it."

"Maybe I don't," she admitted softly. "But do you know… sometimes extreme hate lingers only because the heart is still tied?"

His lips parted to protest. "I dare not keep my heart for such a…"

But Jessica pressed her finger gently to his lips, stopping him. "Don't rush to swear. Maybe what you need isn't anger…it's closure."

His eyes narrowed. "Closure? What closure?"

"I mean, have you ever asked her…really asked her…if it was worth it?" Jessica's voice was steady, calm. "Visit her. Ask your questions. Let it go. Because no matter what, nothing will change the past."

Davis scoffed, bitterness clouding his expression. "Does it matter? She's already this way. I didn't expect…in the end, she killed herself with her choices. What's the point of asking when I already know the answer?"

Jessica shrugged lightly. "Maybe. But whatever choice you make, you have my support."

Davis' lips curled up, relief spread across his chest, He drew her into his arms, draping his arm over her waist.

Moments passed in silence before Jessica broke it, her brow furrowing. "I had my subordinate look into the profile of Linda Briggs."

Davis stared at her for a while, gauging her expression. "Why did you look into it?"

"Just thought something wasn't right." She muttered. "And true to my guess, it wasn't."

"What did you find out?" He asked, his heart already made up for whatever result she was about to share.

"Linda Briggs is your cousin-in-law and the little girl…"

"What?" Davis interrupted, his breath hitched. "How was that possible?"

"Well, that was the fact," Jessica shrugged. When she got the report last night, she had also wondered what was the truth and what were the lies.

"But after getting a private investigator, the result came out the same."

"Here." She said as she extended a file over to him.

Linda Briggs was on her way to the airport to verify a report she got when she had the accident.

After Vera and Aaron's divorce suit, Linda had been hidden from public sight and even the family.

To put it simply, he had married her in a secret marriage, a reason why he simply walked away when the tides turned against them his father and Vera.

Yet, who would have thought he would be involved in a plane crash, a news that sent Linda Briggs railing up and she decided to rush to the airport.

It was in the course of making calls, her breath frantic, her hand and emotion unstable, she had unknowingly swerved out of the road running straight into the electric pole.

And the rest…was all clear.

Davis shook his head slowly, his voice heavy. "Babe, this doesn't feel right. There must be some misunderstanding."

Jessica smiled faintly, almost teasing. "What is it you don't believe…the fact that you lost a cousin, or that you've gained another?"

Davis exhaled sharply. "I didn't expect it."

"You've got to live with it, and the fact that Aaron is no more…." Jessica said, her tone tinged with sadness.

She had expected that maybe he would have an opportunity at redemption but who would have thought, it wasn't possible.

Davis pinched the bridge of his nose, frustration weighing on him. "Babe, make the arrangements for their care. I just hope she won't walk the same path they did."

"I'll see to it," Jessica promised. Her eyes dimmed. "As for the path she chooses… the future will decide."

He pushed himself up with a groan. "I've got to confirm the venue for the launch."

Jessica glanced at the clock on the wall. "Thought, you might…"

"Together." He clipped, interrupting Jessica effectively not to give her a chance for any excuse.

Jessica's gaze widened in shock. "Davis Allen, that wasn't the arrangement. In fact, my schedules are tight."

"Why do I feel like your schedule is more important than this trip?" His smirk was sly, provoking.

She groaned. "Fine. But at least let me nap first." She muttered begrudgingly.

"As you wish," he teased.

One thing led to another, and the nap turned into shared laughter, tangled sheets, soft moans, groans and whispers.

After a brief moment of exceptional peace, they left the mansion to visit the location.

~Santiago's mansion~

The atmosphere was quiet save the heavy breathing of Lady Matilda as she stared down on the middle-aged man kneeling before her.

His eyes reddened, his gaze lowered, his hands clenched into a tight fist. His heart was racing with trepidation.

For years, he had avoided this confrontation, burying himself in excuses, too consumed by fear and guilt to face her. But Julian's persistent urging had left him with no escape.

Today, he had resolved to bare it all, her it done yet standing before Matilda reopened wounds that had never truly healed.

"Josh Anderson." She drawled. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Her gaze darted softly to the younger man, a replica of her daughter and the man before her.

A soft scoff escaped her lips. "Josh Anderson, do you really think your words would heal the wounds of the past?

"Do you think it would undo the pain of yesterday, the pain of losing a daughter? Of a heart broken for years?" Lady Matilda's voice echoed, the more she spoke, the more furious she got.

"Mom, I am deeply sorry for this pain over the years. But it was my foolishness and incapability to protect her." He admitted.

Lady Matilda stared at him, her shoulders trembling from mixed emotions … anger, hurt and grief.

"Grandma, I believe it was for the best and you forgiving him will create a new phase of life for everyone." Julian pleaded.

Lady Matilda closed her eyes briefly, letting the tears she hadn't shed in years trickle down her cheeks.

She looked at Julian, then back to Josh. "Josh Anderson," she said quietly, each word measured, "I may not avenge my daughter's death. But I expect you to live up to the responsibility she left behind."

The two she bore you must restore their dignity and secure their rightful place in this world. Only then can your sincerity mean anything." Lady Matilda stated.

Josh swallowed hard, determination flashing in his eyes. "Mom, I've already begun. I promise…I will see it through."

By the time he left Santiago's mansion, the day was already far gone.