Esmeralda and Amelia were knitting a piece. Amelia showed the young woman some new knitting techniques. The older woman looked at Esmeralda from head to toe; she had to admit that the young woman was quite beautiful. In a sense, she could understand why Yhwach desired her; either way, it was wrong.

Amelia was happy that Sosuke was at least able to express his feelings to Amelia. However, she knew Ace liked Esmeralda, but Esmeralda had feelings for Sosuke. Ace could feel pain from the rejection, but he was strong. The older woman also noticed how thoughtful Esmeralda was. "Why so thoughtful, young one?" asked Amelia.

"Everything went downhill, Amelia. I can't help but feel scared."

The older woman put down her knitting kit and sat closer to Esmeralda, putting her hands on her shoulders. "It's alright to feel scared sometimes, but don't let it overcome you. You are safe with us, knowing my husband, Ace, and Sosuke won't let anything happen to you."

"I'm also worried for my papa. I'm bringing him to my problems, and he might also be in danger."

"Don't worry; your father will be safe."

Esmeralda nodded. "I was curious about something."

"Yes?"

"Yhwach is Sosuke's father, but he told me you raised him. Why do father and son have such a tense relationship?"

Amelia was quiet for a bit but gathered her composure. "I don't think you know that Sosuke and the rest of his brothers had a sister named Masaki. She and Sosuke were fraternal twins; their mother was a prostitute Yhwach hired. However, Sosuke's mother got pregnant; Yhwach tried to force her to have an abortion; the woman refused."

"I didn't know."

"Bradley found out when Yhwach told him of the situation; Bradley told him that he and I were willing to care for the children. We both knew the mother wanted money from Yhwach; we didn't want the children to grow up in such an environment. Eventually, the woman gave birth, but the children were taken away immediately by Yhwach. The woman tried to fight it, but he had the best lawyers, and due to her profession, she wasn't fit to be a mother anyway."

Esmeralda listened intently. "What ended up happening with Sosuke's mother? Does he still talk to her?"

"No, you could say he's embarrassed by his mother; he knew he had him and Masaki for money. Bradley and I raised the children; strangely enough, Yhwach took Masaki with him when she was five. Sosuke was left behind for some reason. Yhwach already had sons; he wanted to have a daughter since daughters are more loving to their fathers."

For Esmeralda, it would make sense. Since Yhwach didn't have a good childhood and was deprived of love, he probably felt that his daughter would give him the affection he wanted.

"I remember how Masaki was; she was such a lovely child. Masaki was the family's pacifist; she tried to get her brothers, father, and uncles along. Of course, it was for nothing, but Masaki never lost hope; she truly cared for and loved her father. She was Yhwach's favorite child."

"What happened to her?"

"A drunk driver killed her; Masaki was on her way to speak with Sosuke, who got into an argument with Yhwach. Yhwach blamed Sosuke, one of the many reasons he hated his son. Sosuke felt responsible for her death; no one was to blame."

EsmeraldaFeltt sad for Sosuke, even for Yhwach. A part of her heart was hopeful that Yhwach had some goodness within him. Masaki sounded wonderful; if she were alive, she would have helped her father change the error of his ways. "So Yhwach hates Sosuke because he felt that Sosuke was to blame for what happened?"

"Partially. Sosuke hardly obeyed him as a child and refused to be what Yhwach wanted. Yhwach is also jealous of his son."

"Why?"

Amelia sighed. "Sosuke had us; he was loved and cared for, something Yhwach never had."

Esmeralda was about to respond when there was a knock on the door. The door opened; Sosuke, Bradley, and Ace entered with grim expressions. The two women noticed. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" asked Esmeralda.

Sosuke walked forward as he held onto her hands. "We got news about your father; he's in the hospital."

The young woman's eyes became wide with horror. "My papa! My papa! How is he!? Is he alive!? I need to see him!"

Sosuke got a hold of her. "Esmeralda, calm down. My cousins are with him; he's being transported to a hospital. It might take a few hours, but a medical team is with him. He will be alright." Tears formed in Esmeralda's eyes, but Sosuke hugged her.

Ace watched the sight before him; he felt his stomach hurt slightly but said nothing. Esmeralda was in pain, not knowing what her father had. For now, he would be beside her.

...

Five hours later

The wait was torturous for Esmeralda; Bradley got word that her father had reached the hospital. Bradley decided to stay behind while Ace and Sosuke went with Esmeralda to the hospital. Once there, they arrived at the guest room. Adrian and Roy were sitting and waiting. The two men saw the group.

"Esmeralda, you remember my cousins, Adrian and Roy. Cousins, this is Esmeralda. The two men shook hands with her.

"Thank you both for being with my father. I am forever grateful and indebted to you," said Esmeralda.

Roy shook his head. "It's no problem at all. My father told us about the situation, and we are happy to help. As I told my father, we're here to help."

"Is there any news of his condition?"

"No, they're doing tests right now. They told us we could visit him, but you have more rights to go in since he's your father. He's in room 405," answered Adrian.

Esmeralda went to her father's room while the rest of the men stayed behind. The men waited an hour, leaving Esmeralda alone with her father. Adrian and Roy left at the insistence of Sosuke and Ace.

"Do ya think we should with Esme? She's been alone for a while."

Sosuke nodded. "We should; I wonder if she received the result yet." The two men were about to leave the guest room when Sosuke saw someone familiar from the corner of his eye. His light brown eyes were wide with surprise and horror.

It was Loly.

...

Sosuke couldn't believe that Loly was in the same building. "How could she be here!?" That was when he thought of the possibility that Yhwach had something to do with it. For Sosuke, he thought it was the only explanation. Ace noticed. "Who the hell is that?"

"A crazy friend with benefits."

Loly saw Sosuke; she smirked as she walked toward him sensually. Her dark hair was in her usual pigtails. She wore a mini black skirt with a small black shirt that showed her stomach. She wore long-heeled boots. Sosuke noticed how many people were looking at her with disgust. He felt very embarrassed.

Sosuke hated himself at the moment. He regrets sleeping with someone crazy.

Loly noticed Sosuke, and she sensually walked toward him.

"I'll be right back; I need to deal with a crazy ex." Sosuke immediately got to Loly, holding her arm and leading her to a restroom. He locked the door.

"Sosuke, it's been a while since we have seen each other. I missed you." Loly was touching his chest, but Sosuke immediately slapped her hand away.

Sosuke gave Loly a deadly glare. "Yhwach had something to do with this. You couldn't know where I was without help. If I had to guess, Yhwach brought you here to break me away from Esmeralda."

Loly tried not to smile. "I don't know what you're talking about, Sosuke."

"Don't act stupid, Loly, even for a bimbo; you can be cunning when you want to be. You would have never known where I was or come over here. You can't even afford your rent. I know Yhwach is behind this, no matter how much you deny it."

Loly giggled while letting out a sadistic smile. "I did promise you that this wasn't over, Sosuke. No one breaks up with me without paying for it. You were mine, but that bitch took you away from me."

Sosuke should have heeded his uncle's advice. "It was out of my own choice. You thought I would have been with you? You were easy to fuck and manipulate." He chuckled. "Like how Yhwach is easily fucking and manipulating you. Yhwach thinks that this plan will work, but it won't. I will tell her everything about us and my past, no matter how shameful. She knows Yhwach is after her and will do everything in his power to get her to be with him. It won't work. She's not alone."

"Oh, how romantic. You can think what you want, Sosuke. I will have what I want, and no one will stop me. Maybe your bitch and I should meet. I'm curious about what she looks like." As Loly was about to leave the room, Sosuke held her hair roughly, pulling her down. The sudden action shocked Loly. Then, Loly began to kick her on her stomach and back. Loly began to scream for help, but Sosuke covered her mouth quickly and roughly. He forced her to look into his eyes.

His eyes were filled with rage. "I had enough of you. No matter what you say or do, I know the truth. If you or Yhwach get close to Esmeralda, I will have no qualms about killing both of you. I just showed you a bit of what I can do. I can send people to kill you, which could be easy." Sosuke squeezed her face tightly. "If you play with fire, you might get burned." He let her go and was about to head out of the room. "If I see you in this hospital, you will make me do something to make it your last day on Earth. Remember that." Sosuke got out, leaving Loly alone.

She felt pain in her stomach and body. Sosuke has never been violent toward her. He hurt her. Loly wanted medical attention but needed Yhwach to help since she couldn't afford the bills. She had to go back to her apartment.

...

Ace stood thinking about Esmeralda. He was worried about her and her father's condition. "I should go to her; she needs support." Suddenly, he noticed Sosuke walking toward him; he was fuming. Sosuke stood next to him; his face was red with anger. "Woah, what's with ya? Fought with yer crazy ex?"

"Yhwach brought her here."

"What?"

"He thought bringing Loly here would have a bigger chance to push Esmeralda away from me." Sosuke began to calm down. Ace noticed a hint of worry in his eyes. "I'm worried, Ace."

"Look, we all are. At least we know he's tryin' to get your ex to drift her apart from us, but it ain't gonna work."

Sosuke shook his head. "No, that was too easy. Figuring out Loly's appearance here was too easy. I feel that Yhwach has a bigger scheme. Something tells me that Loly is only part of his plan for something big. What worries me is that I don't know what that plan is."

Ace let out a sigh. "Look, right now, Esme needs us. Let's see her now. We will figure out the rest at another time."

"Let's go then.

...

The two men arrived at the room where Esmeralda and her father were. The men saw Esmeralda sitting beside her father, holding his hand inside. Her eyes never left her father, who was still asleep. Only the machines were the things they heard.

"Esme."

The young woman looked at the men. "Guys, I still have no news of what happened to my papa."

She looked like she was about to cry. Ace went to her and put his arms around her. "Be strong, Esme. Your pa is here now and is safe. He will be taken care of. Don't worry about bills or anything. We will help ya out."

Sosuke felt jealous that Ace had his arms around her so casually. However, it wasn't the time to have such thoughts. "Ace is right, Esmeralda. You both will be safe, and your father will receive the best medical care."

Esmeralda could only nod as she held to her father's hand. Moments later, a doctor came in with folders; a nurse walked behind him. "Hello, are you all family members?"

"I am his daughter. How is he, doctor? Will my papa be okay?"

The doctor was silent as he took out the folders. "We did some tests for your father and found something."

"What is it?" All three waited for the results.

"I'm so sorry, but your father has lung cancer."