Cayenne could only pat the woman's back without saying anything. She wouldn't say she wasn't hurt when her father left Emerald for another woman but at the end of the day, her mother found someone else. Everything happened in the past and she didn't her past to disturb her present and future so, she decided to let go of any grudge and resentment against Ingrid.
"Thank you, Cayenne." Ingrid mumbled.
"No big deal. I just hope you'd continue to take care of my father. And even though your marriage wasn't built out of love, I'm sure he still cares for you because he chose to stay by your side."
Ingrid lifted her head and looked at her. She wiped her tears away and didn't comment on Cayenne. Among everyone, she knew Reuben better. She knew why he stayed beside her in all these years despite the fact that he didn't love her – it was to protect Cayenne and Emerald.
When they got married, he told her that he wouldn't love her and he wouldn't have a child with her. He even attempted to go back to Emerald but he stopped after getting a call from his own parents. The lives of the two women he cared about in exchange of his freedom from his marriage, which one will he choose? Reuben didn't choose to be willful because he knew that his parents will do what they're saying. How could he bare to see them dead just to escape his marriage? So, he endured it until the woman he loves found someone else.
"Auntie, maybe my mother was angry during the few years that she was all alone with only me keeping her company. But I believed that my mother forgave you already so, free yourself from guilt now. I'm living happily with my family and I hope you can be happy as well."
"Hn." Ingrid nodded her head but only time can tell if she's really going to be happy.
Inside the kitchen, Reuben was slicing vegetables with a deep concern reflecting his face. He was anxious the longer Cayenne and Ingrid stayed together on their own.
"Stefan, you knew your wife better than me knowing her as my daughter, do you think she'll fight Ingrid?"
"What do you think?" Stefan retorted while putting the seasoning on the meat he was cooking.
"I'm asking you because I don't know."
"What about your wife? Is she going to fight Cayenne specially now that you've come back to act as her father?"
"I don't need to act – I'm her biological father."
"I know that but you were absent for over a decade from her life. I'm not sure how stepmothers feel but she shouldn't be feeling happy knowing that Cayenne's back to take possession of your heart."
"Ingrid isn't that kind of woman." Reuben replied with deep conviction. "I believe that my wife won't do anything that could harm my daughter."
"Since she's not a promiscuous woman then, there's no need to worry. If I guess it right, Cayenne already forgave her for taking you away in the past."
Reuben breathed a sigh of relief with his words. He didn't know how Cayenne felt but he still wanted them to meet because Ingrid was his other half. In the long run, Cayenne would still meet her sooner or later. It's better to let them know each other now.
The two of them continued cooking while Erwin monitored the surroundings of the house through the hidden cameras installed. The stalkers who have been following Stefan and Cayenne for a long time now were hiding behind the thick foliage and bushes. They were looking at the house like eagles looking at their preys. Not far from where they're hiding, the secret guards were also looking at the stalkers, waiting for Stefan's instruction to capture them if they do something that could threaten the lives of the people living in the property.
Fortunately for these two stalkers, they weren't doing anything out of hand.
"Let's tell the boss already. I believe that these is where they live. They've been staying here the whole day and someone visited them as well. I firmly think this is their residence." The other man who used to drive the car commented towards his comrade.
"Alright. I'll let the boss know where the exact location is." The other man pulled out his phone and dialed Arthur's number while keeping eyes to the house not far from them.
"Yes?" Arthur's voice resounded through the earpiece. He was obviously losing his patience from the two people he hired.
"Sir, we've confirmed their address now. It's in …." The man gave Arthur the complete address where Cayenne and Stefan lives. "I there anything you want us to do, sir?"
"Nothing else. I have transferred the remaining money to your accounts. You can leave that place and let me handle the rest. I can't involve other people in this. And you better not tell anyone about this or I'll come for your heads instead."
"You can be rest assured that we'll not say anything boss. Our lips are sealed."
"Alright. You're free now."
"Thank you, boss." The two men fled from Cayenne's property and went back to where they parked their car. They got inside the vehicle, checked their bank accounts to confirm the money transfer and left the place. They no longer cared for what will happen and they wouldn't say anything as well because even if they're indirectly involved, they can still be considered accomplice for getting the address for Arthur.
Arthur read the address that he wrote down on the paper. When he searched for it on the map, he found out that it was quite far from the city. "My Cayenne, no matter how far you hide, I can still find you. There's no place in this world that I couldn't reach." Arthur murmured with an evil smile appearing on his lips. He's well prepared for his plan and he couldn't wait to put them into use. However, he decided to let them put their guards down before he'll strike. He wouldn't act recklessly.
'Stefan, if you think you can outwit me, you're wrong.' He thought to himself before lying on the bed with victorious smile. He was so sure that he'd win against Cayenne's husband.