Chapter 1 I The Duncan Family Scandal

The news of the affair scandal and corruption case involving Edgar Duncan, a well-known and very prominent businessman in Lancester, was covered by the entire television network for a few days. After the affair case gained media attention, Amanda Duncan filed for divorce.

“Amanda Duncan has chosen not to speak out about the scandal that led to her husband’s ouster. The former model pleaded with the press to stop asking where she was. Because of the lawsuit that involved her husband and family, Amanda was going through a period of self-healing,” according to a reporter from one of the media, who played a videotape of Amanda being accompanied by numerous bodyguards as she got into a car in the middle of paparazzi and media.

On the television, the former model looked to be hiding her face under a scarf, a hat, and heavy black sunglasses.

As soon as they heard the news, which was being shown on a screen on the wall near the waiting room, several people stopped in the hospital lobby.

Camellia, who had just come back from making coffee, slowed down and stood up while keeping her steady gaze on the TV and holding steaming latte in her hands.

She started to turn back, but the murmurings from all directions forced her to slow down and stay put. Camellia was listening to a rumor being spread while torturing herself.

The middle-aged woman in front of her commented, “I heard that the Duncan family lost their fortune just overnight.”

Her word draws Camellia’s attention and making her gaze at another female, who also standing not far from her with others hospitals visitors.

“Despite the fact that they are come from old money, it is truly unfortunate. All because of a woman, the treasures of five generations are gone.”

Camellia stared at the white tiles on the floor of the hospital while unconsciously squeezing her coffee cup.

“Infidelity has been the primary source of marital issues for a very long time. Look at it. Even if they are well off, Mr. Duncan can’t resist the allure of younger woman, and as a result, his wife and daughter have to deal with the consequences.”

The woman with the blue shirt, who was taking part in the conversation between two other middle-aged women, responded, “He is really a selfish and horrible man.”

Camellia’s heart groaned. She wanted to argue, but when she realized it would be useless, she decided to keep quiet and just listen.

“Did you also hear that the elderly man had a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital?”

Camellia even averted her face out of fear that someone would recognize her.

“Really? I didn’t believe he received the justice he deserved. Even if he lost all of his wealth, he would still have to die soon since he is already dying. Then, who will pay off all of his debts?”

The woman instantly retorted, “Of course, his daughter. And who else could it be?”

In order to avoid being left behind, the woman in the blue shirt voiced her viewpoint.

“It is impossible that his cheating partner would look after such a sick and elderly man.”

Many heads nodded in agreement at the same time, which made Camellia sad and make her take a step back.

“The Duncan family owes the Hagen family a hefty debt, which is even more unsettling. I have no idea how they managed to pay off all those debts.”

When the name of one of the Lancester’s most revered and feared families were mentioned, Camellia’s faces blanched.

She decided to leave and go back to where she was going because she couldn’t take hearing the painful conversation any longer.

Camellia struggled to grasp the hot latte that nearly spilt and splattered on the way to a room with shaky hands, and then she came to the door, hesitated. The young girl entered the room slowly after she had taken a deep breath, composed her facial expressions, and calmed her nerves.

A single body was visible to her, lying on a hospital bed with a ventilator and other life support equipment nearby. The bedside monitor next to the bed produced a steady beeping sound, which made the entire room tense and uneasy.

She walked up to the bedside table, set her coffee cup on it, and sat down in silence next to the body as the hum of the machine filled the room.

“Sorry if I was taking a long time, it just so happened that the coffee machine was a little troubled,” Camellia said in a tone full of smiles, as if the man could hear what she said.

With a radiant face and a little enthusiastic, Camellia continued; “Tomorrow I can’t visit you here, because I have to finish the piled up college work. Is it okay, right?”

She knew she wouldn’t get a reply, but still continued as if it was a two-way conversation.

“Oh, I tried to cook something, but failed again. What if I bring the results of my cooking when I come back? This time I will work on my homemade food successfully.”

Still with a smile that didn’t fade, Camellia told the pleasant things to the man lying there. She hoped to get a bit of a reaction, but none came. Made her smile slip out for a moment, yet she quickly rearranged it.

“After returning from here I will watch something, because there is no one at home, so I feel a little bored.”

Without touching the slightest latte on the table, she continued, “I wanted to take Bella for a while, but she said she was going back to Boston tonight, so I couldn’t take her.”

Camellia’s eyes lingered on the sleeping face in front of her as she gently stroked the hand at the side of the body and she hummed a lullaby of memory.

“My voice is so ugly,” she said softly, sounding a little disappointed. “I’m going to practice so that I can sing even more melodiously.”

Camellia raised her little finger in the air with a perfectly relinquished smile, while teary eyes held tightness in her chest. After waiting for a minute, Camellia’s hand was again on her lap, because no one returned her pinky promise.

She lowered her head and said; “When you get out of here, I will take you out for a walk. Get well soon so we can get together again.”

After being sure that the pain in the heart faded, Camellia also raised her face again and without her knowing it, time passed very quickly that day. From the tail of her eye, Camellia saw that the clock was already four o’clock in the afternoon, indicating she was there for too long so she had to return before dark.

Before finally getting up from her seat and leaving, she kissed the elderly man’s forehead and murmured, “I’ll be back again, Daddy.”

Camellia shut the door, suffering a weight on her heart.

She kept to herself for a while, her forehead resting against the door. She pleaded with God, “Don’t take him away from me,” in anguish. Camellia lips move three times, each time whispering a prayer.

Camellia raised her head as well, and after making sure that she wouldn’t cry, she long glanced at the door before walking away from the hospital and the middle-aged man who was lying weak inside of it.