Sam walked past the couple. "Come out for a bit." He whispered sternly to Violet. She turned to Dexter for assurance as he nodded in agreement to be left alone before she followed Sam obediently to the basement. That's when she saw guards heading up.
"I have arranged for them to look after the wake and funeral. Rest assured, use them all you need…" Sam explained as Violet's tears began to fall uncontrollably. Sam quietly stepped closer to hug her.
"Sis, stay strong…" Sam urged as she nodded.
"Sam… Dad and Sebby…" She tried to calm herself down, wanting to ask why Sebastian was there and would their father would be fine, only to let her emotions get the better of her.
Sam gently pushed her head back to lean on his chest, not wanting to meet her gaze.
"They will understand. Dad thinks Seb is my assistant... Keep an eye on Dex. Sort your matters well. I will handle the rest. Call me if anything happens." Sam comforted her, and in a way, he wanted her not to worry about Sebastian.
She nodded, but her sobs grew. She held tightly to Sam, knowing she should return to look after Dexter, but she couldn't control her vulnerable self in front of Sam.
Sam knew she must have held in for far too long as he gently kept her accompanied for a moment.
Their father watched from afar as he realised the reason Violet chose to leave. Sebastian handed him a tissue as he wiped his tears discreetly and sighed.
"Don't tell the siblings this..." He told Sebastian as he nodded.
Sebastian, who was acting as Sam's assistant very well, wanted to really hold and comfort Violet at that moment more than anyone. He wanted to stand up for her in front of her nasty relatives, but he knew who he was in all of these. He was upset with himself for not having his own personal matters settled, yet he dared to want to meddle with hers.
Sometimes, there's only that much one can do for another. He reminded himself to keep calm. She would return to him, and by then, he would ensure she would be pampered and comforted like she did for him during his tough days.
To his surprise, Dexter found them. He left Dexter to speak in private with his father-in-law.
"Dad, thanks for coming…" Dexter thanked him as Uncle Chu glared at him.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Chu…" He quickly corrected himself as he broke down in tears.
Uncle Chu's grimaces were turned into sympathy in a blink. He used to love the boy very much and was very at ease letting him be with Violet. Today's discovery of him failing to protect his precious daughter was disappointing, making him realise how much he had doubted Violet.
However, he also realised Dexter was a victim of his own family, which was the worst. The only family member he had was in the wake, and it would be even more agonising when the funeral is over, cause Violet would leave him too to return to work.
Uncle Chu sighed as he gently patted Dexter's shoulder, who was profusely apologising and crying in front of him. Dexter was loud enough for Sam and Violet to overhear as they went over, standing next to Sebastian, who was watching over them.
"What your family did to my daughter is something that no father can forgive." Uncle Chu told him as Dexter nodded, trying to stay calm. That line alone touched Violet's heart as her eyes reddened.
"I'm so sorry…" Dexter continued apologising as he sobbed. Uncle Chu sighed pitifully at him.
"But I can still be your father despite the divorce… You're all alone now, Wei Xi. When Fei leaves, come find me more often. We will have a drink or two in secret." Uncle Chu offered, trying to add some jokes, which didn't manage to turn Dexter's cries into a smile.
Dexter was touched when Uncle Chu still addressed him warmly by his Chinese name, like he always did. Dexter sobbed even more as he hugged Uncle Chu.
"Dad… Thank you…" Dexter said gratefully in his tears as Uncle Chu blinked back his tears.
Violet understood her father's gestures as she, too, sobbed in Sam's arms while Sebastian gently patted her shoulder. She knew her father was understanding and smart, but he chose to be harsh on her. She knew all along that this man loves her the most because it was a promise he made to her mother before she passed on.
However, she never expected him to be this magnanimous towards Dexter this way. It was one less worry for her when she left by then.
After sending his father home, Sam wanted to drop by to see Jade, but it wouldn't be convenient for Sebastian to tag along.
"Would you be fine if I check you into a hotel on the way to where I'm heading?" Sam's question raised a couple of questions Sebastian didn't want to intrude on as he nodded.
"We have to leave tomorrow morning. I can't hold back the agency team from the commercial shooting. Perhaps, just proceed with it since it's just one day?" Sam suggested when they hopped into his car.
"So fast? When is the job?" Sebastian asked while putting on his safety belt.
"Supposingly tomorrow, but I had postponed it to the day after…" Sam informed, noticing Sebastian's reluctance.
"Don't worry, bro. She will be alright. She needs to sort out loose ends too…" Sam wanted to comfort him, but felt it sounded wrong as Sebastian was beginning to worry about the possibility of a change in his relationship with Violet.
"Have faith," Sam said before starting to drive as Sebastian looked out the window in the distance, lamenting his situation.
The second day of the wake wasn't too tough as Violet accompanied Dexter and entertained acquaintances who visited. Jade came close to the prayer session time as Violet sat Dexter by the refreshment table with a cup of warm tea before catching up with Jade by the corner in private for a bit.
"Thanks for making it here, though you really didn't have to…" Violet said as Jade smiled.
"How could I not come when it's you, my dear… How are things with him?" Jade asked, holding onto Violet's hand.
"He is coping… It will be tough tomorrow, but yes, I will see him through to make it." Violet tried to sound convincing but failed flat.
"And your relationship?" Jade prompted as Violet shook her head.
"I guess we will just leave that aside for now… Getting him on track is more important." Violet sighed.
"Well, someone updated me that someone was here yesterday…" Jade teased Violet, and she couldn't help but smile, recalling seeing Sebastian in disguise yesterday. She knew Sam must have updated her.
"Someone stayed over with someone?" Violet teased in return, and Jade blushed, knowing she had given herself away to Violet, who was so detail-oriented. Violet could see how happy Jade's eyes were, though she covered her face with a mask in disguise.
"He stayed over at the hotel, though… And slept like a baby…" Jade whispered as Violet muffled a laugh, knowing Jade meant Sebastian.
"Looks like someone has moved on well…" Jade pointed out as she held Violet's hand.
That's when Violet realised she indeed was more caring towards Sebastian now.
"However, they had flown off in the morning…" Jade informed her.
"Why? I thought his filming hadn't resumed?" Violet questioned, as Jade knew she couldn't avoid giving her the information.
"Someone is assigned to other jobs…" Before Jade could finish her updates, Violet began to worry and fidget.
"Stop… Don't worry. That's why I sacrifice someone to accompany someone to fly off. I know he needs his care and support while you're away." Jade meant to say she had to sacrifice spending more time with Sam to let him look after Sebastian while she was at work. Only then did Violet calm down.
"You owe me one… But for now, you need to focus on him. They will be alright. The other couple sent their regards to you. They are also busy with other commercial schedules. But I heard filming should resume in the next few days in the studio setting." Jade said, noticing Violet's eyes were glued to Dexter's lifeless self-direction.
Violet began to worry about not being able to be by Sebastian's side, and it would definitely trigger his anxiety sooner or later. However, she was equally worried about the lonesome Dexter, who was being approached by someone now.
"Go… I need to go too… I will keep you posted if there's anything." Jade comforted as Violet nodded while hugging her in a rush.
"You must be Mr. Liong?" The lawyer asked Dexter, who was a little zoned out. Violet had been keeping an eye on Dexter from afar despite speaking to Jade. She quickly excused herself from Jade and rushed up to Dexter.
"Hi, how can I help you?" Violet asked while holding onto Dexter's shoulder.
"Is he Mr. Liong?" The lawyer asked again.
"Yes, he is, and you're?" Violet asked in return. "And you must be Mrs. Liong?" Violet blinked several times, not getting used to being called that way unless it's official.
"Yes, she is," Dexter admitted after realising it's been a while since he heard someone address her that way.
He took Violet by surprise. "You must be my mother's lawyer?" Dexter questioned, recognising that stereotypical look of a lawyer which Edward had too.
"Yes. Here's my name card. I'm Jeremy Ting." He introduced himself as Dexter collected the card.
"Thanks for coming…" Violet said as Jeremy nodded.
"Mrs. Liong, I came to personally inform you that you're required to attend the will announcement two days from today," Jeremy said as Violet glanced at Dexter, who calmly nodded.
Violet was a little caught off guard to give a proper response.
"I will ensure she comes," Dexter concluded as Jeremy nodded and made his way out.
"If you can't make it, I can always go on your behalf…" Dexter told Violet flatly as Violet held his hand.
"I will be there… I'm sorry, I'm just… caught a little off guard." Violet held her head with her free hand before meeting with Dexter's worried gaze.
"I will accompany you till the end of the funeral, didn't I promise you this?" Dexter's expression relaxed as he smiled a little, knowing it was just her way of comforting him for then.
"There will be prayers later; they need us to join in. Since Mum is devoted to Christianity, it's not too complicated… Just go with the flow, alright?" Violet updated him before another drama exploded.
Rosy came with Edward and began to boast, knowing everyone was gathered for the prayer session.
"Everybody, listen up. Those involved, don't forget to come to the will announcement two days from today. Edward here has her will prepared. Oh, except you." Rosy directed it at Violet, who was confused but didn't want to retaliate.
Instead, she kept quiet and let them boast till the prayer session ended. Neither did Dexter want to retaliate anymore with such relatives.