After Prison I Rushed into Marriage with a Comatose Tycoon-Chapter 113: If Only Dad Were Still Here

Fabian Lockwood couldn’t help but shiver. Under Eliza Sutton’s intense pressure, he forced an expression uglier than tears onto his face and said, "Right... Sister-in-law is right. There was no fighting. She was just... helping me swat a mosquito."

"Since I helped you, Second Young Master, you should thank me," Eliza said, pulling out a wet wipe. She methodically cleaned her fingers, not even missing the spaces between them, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Watching her, Fabian Lockwood shivered for some reason. "Th-thanks."

"You’re welcome."

Just then, Woody pulled up in the car.

"It’s getting late, Second Young Master. You should go home and rest." Eliza let go of the wipe, and a gust of wind blew it right into Fabian Lockwood’s face.

By the time a furious Fabian pulled the wet wipe off his face, Eliza was already in the car and driving away.

Fabian threw the wipe to the ground, hissing with resentment, "Just you wait. I’ll make Eliza Sutton pay for this!"

Inside the car.

Woody asked, "Boss, are we heading back to Harmony Gardens?"

"No. We’re going to The Lumina Gardens."

Woody was very surprised. "Boss, you finally left the Lockwood family. Why are you going back to one of their properties?"

Eliza didn’t answer, but she knew why.

’I’m waiting for Emmett. I left the Lockwood home in such a hurry. If I just disappear, I’m worried Emmett won’t be able to find me.’

Woody knew what Eliza was thinking. His lips moved as if to speak, but then he remembered her heartache and ultimately said nothing.

Early the next morning, the doorbell rang. Just as she’d expected, Emmett Lockwood was there.

"Mama, good morning."

"Good morning." Eliza welcomed Emmett inside. "Why are you here so early?"

It was only six o’clock. The Lockwood Estate was about an hour’s drive away, which meant Emmett must have woken up around four.

"I wanted to see you sooner, Mama." Emmett looked up at Eliza. "And I wanted to apologize."

"Apologize?" Eliza placed a glass of warm milk in front of Emmett. "Why do you need to apologize?"

"I know that Grandma wanted you to leave last night. I was going to come find you right away, but Grandma was really sad, so I stayed with her." Emmett lowered his head, his little face full of apology. "Mama, I’m so sorry."

"Emmett, you don’t need to apologize. I’m not angry."

"Really? But Grandma was so harsh."

"Silly boy," Eliza said. "Your grandma was doing it for my own good."

"For your good?"

"Mhm."

Eliza truly wasn’t angry with Mrs. Lockwood. Kicking her out might have seemed heartless, but it was actually for her own benefit.

If she had divorced Shane Lockwood, her role as the bride meant to bring good fortune would have ended, and she would have no more ties to the Lockwood family. But as his widow, she would have been expected to mourn at the Lockwood home for at least a year before remarrying, just to avoid public criticism.

But this was something Eliza couldn’t explain to Emmett.

Eliza stroked Emmett’s small head. "Emmett, you have to remember that the world isn’t just black and white, right and wrong. Sometimes, people who seem nice to you aren’t actually good for you, and people who seem mean to you aren’t actually trying to hurt you."

"Like how Dad is really strict with me, but Second Uncle says Dad is deliberately torturing me because he doesn’t like me?"

"Exactly. Your dad is strict with you because he wants you to learn important skills so you can be independent in the future. Your second uncle saying your dad is torturing you is just him trying to stir up trouble. A smart boy like you would never fall for that, right?"

Emmett said, "I know, Mama. I don’t believe what Second Uncle says."

"You’re so smart, Emmett." Eliza took his hand, sat him down at the dining table, and went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

It was a Sunday, so Eliza didn’t have to go to the office. With Emmett there, she set aside her other work and continued sketching the design for Pearl Lockwood.

Inspiration had struck her long ago, so the sketch came together quickly. When she finished and looked up to stretch her neck, she saw Emmett sitting quietly beside her, reading a book.

He looked incredibly adorable.

Eliza couldn’t resist grabbing a fresh sheet of paper and quickly sketching Emmett.

Emmett walked over, amazed. "Mama, is that me?"

"Yes. Do you like it?"

"I love it. But it’s just me in the picture. It would be even better if you were in it, too."

Eliza said, "Then how about I find an artist to paint a portrait of us?"

"Mama, I can do it." Emmett took the brush from Eliza’s hand.

Given his young age, Emmett’s drawing had a childish quality to it.

But he had a keen sensitivity to color and was full of affection for her, so the resulting picture was surprisingly beautiful.

Besides her, Emmett also added Shane Lockwood.

The two adults and one child appeared in the same picture with an unexpected harmony, looking just like a real family.

"Emmett, you drew this so well. It’s wonderful."

Emmett was a little shy from Eliza’s praise, but he was clearly very happy.

But soon, his eyes reddened. "If only Dad were still here to see it."

"Emmett." Seeing him tear up made Eliza’s heart ache.

’I wish I could tell him right now not to cry for Shane Lockwood, that he’s perfectly fine. But as Eliza Sutton, I’m not supposed to know that.’

All she could do was pull Emmett into her arms and comfort him. "Emmett, don’t cry. Everything will be all right."

"Mhm." Emmett nodded, burying his face in her clothes and hugging her tightly, taking in her scent.

The day passed quickly, and as dusk fell, someone from the Lockwood family arrived to pick up Emmett.

Eliza walked Emmett to the door.

"I’m leaving, Mama."

"Okay."

Emmett looked at Eliza reluctantly as he walked out. He stopped at the doorway. "Mama, we’re having Dad’s farewell at home tomorrow. Will you come?"

"I will. I’ll pick you up from Seacliff Manor tomorrow, and we’ll go to the estate together."

...

The Lockwood family was going to hold Shane Lockwood’s memorial service at the estate.

Holding a funeral at the estate was a privilege reserved only for the successive Family Heads.

Ordinarily, for an event as significant as the death of the Family Head, the funeral should have been arranged long ago.

But Shane Lockwood’s death had been sudden, and on top of that, his mother, Mrs. Lockwood, had been unable to accept it.

However, no matter how much she refused to accept it, Shane Lockwood was dead. His body was lying in the morgue, a reality she could not escape.

In the end, it was Mrs. Lockwood herself who finally brought the matter up.

She told Master Lockwood, "My son may have been born into a wealthy family like the Lockwoods, but he never got to enjoy much happiness. Now that he’s gone, I want him to find peace."

Hearing those words, Eliza felt a pang of sadness.

It was, perhaps, the perfect embodiment of a parent’s heartbreaking love.

This was bound to be a busy day for the Lockwood family. As Shane Lockwood’s son and the family’s eldest direct grandson, Emmett had to be there early.

Eliza quickly made her way to Seacliff Manor to pick up Emmett.

But when the door opened, Mrs. Zimmerman was shocked to see her.

"Mistress, didn’t you already pick up the young master and leave? Why are you back? Did you forget something?"