Chapter 5 Remarriage

• "Dad, Mom, this is between me and Tahlia," Daphne asserted firmly.
• As she approached Tahlia with a feather duster in hand, Daphne's gaze bore into her daughter's. Her tone was commanding. "Speak."
• Tahlia bit her lip. Has she found out that she encountered her father?
• Why else would she return in such a rage?
• But she couldn't muster the courage to confess.
• With a steely resolve, Tahlia shook her head and replied, "Mom, what are you talking about?"
• Daphne scoffed, her voice cold as she reprimanded, "Still lying and defying, huh? Show me your hands."
• Reluctantly, Tahlia extended both her hands, bracing herself.
• Daphne hit her with the feather duster.
• Tahlia's eyes welled with tears. Yet she refused to let them fall, feeling a profound sense of injustice and being filled with tears.
• Why did everyone else have a father, but not her?
• And now that her father has returned, why was her mother so enraged?
• Samantha rushed to shield Tahlia, her voice filled with concern. "Daphne, what are you doing? You've just arrived home, and you're already punishing the child."
• In her fury, Daphne explained, "Mom, Dad, it's not because of work. It's because Tahlia hid the fact that she saw Maxwell. It's a huge disappointment, and it angered me."
• Turning to Tahlia, Daphne demanded, "Tell me, did you meet that man?"
• Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Tahlia erupted, "Dad isn't a bad person! I want my dad!"
• Maxwell?
• Jose and Samantha exchanged a glance, their expressions tense.
• "He's back?" Jose's voice dripped with anger.
• "Yes, he's alive and well," Daphne confirmed, her tone resolute.
• Daphne divulged her suspicions, "He must be here to take Tahlia away from us. That man is despicable!"
• Samantha's complexion turned pale with fury.
• Maxwell was nothing short of a demon.
• The very person who had reduced Daphne, once a daughter of a prestigious family, into a subject of mockery.
• Samantha asked, "Tahlia, tell me. How did you obtain his phone number?"
• "I'm sorry, Grandma, I can't disclose that," Tahlia responded, her voice firm. "It's a pact between Dad and me. I must honour my word."
• "You don't have a father. He's not your paternal figure," Daphne interjected sharply, advancing towards Tahlia with the feather duster in hand.
• Tahlia's palm turned red as Daphne struck it repeatedly, tears welling in her eyes, but she stifled her sobs.
• "Daphne, resorting to physical punishment won't resolve anything. This child is as obstinate as you are," Samantha remarked.
• She took the feather duster from Daphne's grip to stop her; it would only harm Tahlia's hand further.
• During Daphne's pregnancy, Samantha had urged her to consider abortion.
• Daphne had been adamant, refusing to heed her advice and insisting on giving birth to Tahlia.
• "I want my dad. Everyone else has a father; why don't I?" Tahlia exclaimed in anguish.
• A knock at the door broke the tense atmosphere, prompted Jose to respond.
• "Dad, I've returned."
• A young man with an upright posture announced this.
• "Maxwell?"
• Jose's breath caught in his throat as he recoiled, staring at Maxwell in disbelief.
• "Dad, I'm home. I'm sorry for causing you pain all these years."
• Maxwell apologised sincerely, noting the silver strands in the old man's hair. It had indeed been a rough time for him.
• "You! Don't address me like that; I don't consider you part of this family," Jose retorted angrily. "You're not welcome here! Leave!"
• "Dad." Tahlia, who had been kneeling in the living room, turned and saw Maxwell. Without hesitation, she rushed past Daphne, yearning for her father.
• Daphne couldn't halt her in time, watching helplessly as the child ran towards Maxwell.
• "Why are you crying?" Maxwell crouched down, gently wiping away Tahlia's tears.
• "I seem to upset Mom with my thoughtlessness," Tahlia remarked with a smile.
• Daphne and Samantha walked out of the living room.
• "Mom," Maxwell called out once more, his tone gentle.
• "I have no right to claim the title of your mother-in-law." Samantha's voice dripped with bitterness.
• Years had passed, and Maxwell remained much the same, save for his strikingly deep and luminous eyes.
• He was aware of the old couple's animosity toward him and didn't expect immediate forgiveness, particularly from Samantha.
• "Tahlia, come back." Observing Tahlia's ease around Maxwell, Daphne couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. She had raised this child, only for her to grow close to Maxwell after just a few encounters. Had Maxwell somehow influenced her?
• Meeting her mother's stern gaze, Tahlia recoiled in fear and retreated to Daphne's side.
• Screech!
• Amidst the tense atmosphere, a Mercedes-Benz halted before the villa and drew their attention.
• "Oh, you were all aware of my arrival, thus the early welcome committee. I guess you already heard about the good news."
• It was a young man in expensive attire, puffing on a cigarette. He casually stepped out of the car. His black leather shoes gleamed in the sunlight.
• Daphne's cousin, Hugo Lewis, was the Lewis Group's project manager.
• "Daphne, sign this document. As of now, this house officially belongs to you," he instructed, his voice laced with authority.
• "You can now lawfully marry into the Bensons.
• "However, you must sever all ties with Tahlia in the future.
• "Additionally, the Bensons are providing a dowry of 750 thousand, which Grandpa will keep safe for you.
• "Whenever you require the funds, you may access them through him. This gesture, considering your remarriage, should suffice as a show of respect, correct?"