That night, though Violet was bothered about the will matters at the wake earlier, she didn't confront Dexter knowing he was exhausted. Thinking he had fallen asleep, she stepped outside the balcony to take a breather.
Instead, her mind was bothered by Sebastian. She then realised her heart was missing that guy a little. She decided to send him a text.
Thanks for coming… I heard you had to leave for an additional job. Have you been well? I'm sorry I can't be there for a while…
Violet sent the message expecting a quick reply but it didn't come. She sighed with a little disappointment.
Should have known better, he is busy Vi.
The view of the pitch dark sky made her wonder how her mother in law is doing up there.
Mum, I miss you. Did you know your siblings would fight over your inheritance when they clearly should belong to Dex? I'm so glad you protected him well. I hope your lawyer will do justice for him... I'm sorry I came too late… Violet wiped away the brewing tears without noticing Dexter was behind her as he gently patted her shoulder to comfort her.
"Hey… Thought you were asleep… You need to sleep. It's going to be a tough day tomorrow." Violet told him gently as he watched her with a sad smile.
"I couldn't sleep… " He admitted her as she sat him down in the living room.
"Need a cup of warm milk?" She offered as he shook his head.
Her eyes caught something under the table while sitting on the floor. She could see the calculation of his assets lying around with receipts and other supporting documents to accompany his affidavit on the table. He quickly kept them away, realising she had noticed.
"About the will…" He cleared his throat trying to change the topic.
"Mum had told me before that the one made with Edward was just to appease her sister. She had her latest updated copy with Mr. Ting, whom you met today." Dexter explained as Violet nodded understandingly.
"You didn't have to explain… I will still accompany you there." She smiled, which breaks Dexter's heart, wanting to tell what's next on his mind but first, there was something he wanted to come clean with her first.
"Vi, can we head somewhere for a while?" He requested as she nodded with a smile.
To her surprise, he led her to the swimming pool at the mezzanine floor of their flat.
"Why here?" She asked if they sat by the empty lounge bench facing the nightline skies.
He sighed a little with a calm demeanour as he smiled at her curious look.
"Vi … there's one thing I need to make it clear to you." He said as she nodded enthusiastically.
"It wasn't easy after the marriage cause there's always late nights in the office…" He could see her frowns forming.
"I know we decided to fulfil my dad's wishes. Running his company for him was also one of his wishes. But…" He paused, trying not to be overwhelmed by his feelings as Violet gently patted his shoulder.
"I know… the drama. The fights for power... The attempts to bring you down… I should have been there for you…" Violet helped him to convey his message as he sighed heavily.
"I lost Mum…" His gaze met hers. "And you too…" He added as he blinked his tears away.
She had no way to try comforting him in this cause she didn't want to reconcile if he was trying to indicate so.
"I'm sorry…" Apologising was all she could do at the very least.
"Let's head to Edward's office after the will reading," Dexter announced as Violet blinked several times, and couldn't believe what she just heard.
"Didn't you want to pursue further? That's why you didn't submit the papers? Those receipts, documents earlier…" Violet questioned as he sighed.
"I did only to steal time to persuade you to change your mind. But now…" Their gaze met.
"Seeing you this way reminds me of how we used to be before marriage…" They both smiled as though agreeing that some people are better off staying as friends.
"Those nights cause it's too late, I often come here. I would fall asleep and quietly change the next morning before leaving again… I had always been loyal. That… I can assure you." His confession made her feel guilty for hiding about her miscarriage.
"There's something I need to tell you too…" Violet said as he nodded, noticing her hesitant.
"Go on…" He urged.
"I initially wanted to wait till everything's over, but I think you should know this now…" She paused while biting her lips as he nodded encouragingly.
"I…miscarried recently. It was two months old…" The disappointment and shock in his face was apparent. It was unexpected for him as he held his head, instantly sobbing.
"Dex, it's fine…" She tried to comfort him while controlling her tears as she went up to him.
"No, it's not Vi… I'm so useless. I… I'm so sorry…" He broke down in tears knowing he lost another person as Violet held him tightly.
A part of Violet wished all this had taken place earlier, but she knew it was all too late at this rate. There was nothing they both could do to turn back time or to move on together as their guilt and miscommunication all this while had all run too deep.
The next day after the funeral, Dexter went around with her to settle loose ends of paying bills for the funeral, doing formalities of her mother in law's personal belongings and bank accounts while ensuring dates for Dexter to remember especially when the columbarium will be fixed completely.
By the time they settled everything, it was late in the evening as she took him to stroll by the river closeby to a bank they had just visited.
"You're alright?" She checked on him who nodded. "I'm sorry. It must be a tiring day for you to run around with me just after the funeral." She apologised.
"It's fine… The earlier we settle everything the earlier you could leave." He said as she was reminded of their conversation last night.
"Dex… That's not what I meant…" She clarified.
"Will you let me still be your friend? And visit dad?" Violet nodded, knowing he was seeking redemption.
"Only if you stop pampering him with money. He spends them on mahjong." He chuckled at her request.
"That's also part of your alimony." He said with a smile, she could tell was full of relief.
"I'm rejecting it. I don't need it." Violet was firm.
"I'm selling the house, I guess." He concluded, ignoring her insistence.
"Where will you stay? What are you doing next?" Violet worried a little.
"I don't know yet… I will leave the company. It's a crash and burn. I will let them fight over Dad's legacy. I definitely still dislike living in that house or even our current place… I would find somewhere closer to Dad." He concluded.
"I'm sorry…" Violet felt the need to apologise for all that had happened as she was the one who initiated it first.
"It's not your fault, Vi. It was our decision back then and now. I'm the one who should be sorry." His eyes darted to her stomach. She smiled, rubbing it, understanding he meant her miscarriage.
"You know, there was a brief period where I kept thinking about suicide after the miscarry... About how everything is against me, and even the baby was leaving me. So I should leave too…" She admitted.
"Vi… I'm sorry …." He felt very guilty at her confession as she forced her way to clarify further.
"Luckily, a friend of mine who had it worse in their divorce made me realise it's not the end of the world. There are always people and scenarios worse than mine. There's so much more in this world to look forward to. There's so many opportunities to drive our life towards. So thankfully, I recovered from that brief postpartum depression, I guess." She shrugged.
"Was it the guy you're working for now?" He asked half, not wanting to know, sensing something was a little off between them.
"How did you know?" She questioned in surprise.
"Sam said you're working for someone, and he is in a business with someone. I assume that much… Who is he?" He tried hiding his jealousy a little.
Violet kept quiet for a moment, wondering if she should tell.
"You don't have to tell if you don't want to." He said with a hint of disappointment.
"No, it's not that… It's just that it's sensitive. He is the one who stood by Dad that day. He is the one in a divorce dilemma… Sebastian Chu." Violet slowly revealed.
"Sebastian Chu? The divorce saga guy in the news?" Violet nodded at his question.
"Wow… Where did you meet him?" Violet chuckled at his excitement.
"Phut Bi. After the reunion, I just packed and left. I have always wanted to visit there. It had this magical healing power. I didn't want to leave… I wish I could return someday." Violet looked up to the sky.
"Is that a tattoo?" He noticed her arm as she nodded.
"Guess who did it for me?" He shrugged at her question.
"Sebastian's brother-in-law. He's good. It has been my lucky charm…" She smiled, and he noticed he had not seen this happy version of her since their marriage.
"It's not your fault either, Vi. I wished I had known of the baby's existence earlier. Maybe it would…" He sighed, full of regret, but Violet gently patted his back.
"When did you… miscarry?" He asked with concern.
"A month or so ago. Briefly after we met in the lawyer's office. In fact, I felt the pangs back then, but I have been ignoring them." Violet's eyes reddened as Dexter felt bad and held her hand to comfort her.
"I'm okay. I'm alright." She smiled before changing the topic. "So what's next for you?"
He sighed. "I have a plan I want to try out with dad and his friends."
"What is it?" She asked curiously.
"Try doing community service. Instead of gambling, mahjong is healthy, honestly. Perhaps change with other rewards or punishments which would help them to move, exercise, and eat healthily." Violet listened in with great interest.
"I intend to also start a small business to help the community with free food or lower-priced food." He continued.
"That's very interesting… like the supermarkets usually sell cheaply on ugly products." Violet added on.
"Yes, yes then I would go to those cheap wholesalers and buy ingredients from them to cook for the community." Dexter added and Violet knew how well he could cook since he often grew up taking care of himself.
"It would be best to work with the welfare side to help identify the right people to help." She said in support of his idea.
They finally noticed how in sync they were as they smiled.
"Marriage really isn't for us isn't it?" He asked as they ended up chuckling.
"Let's just sign the papers tomorrow." She nodded at his suggestion.
"Now, let's have something yummy!" She pointed to a fast food restaurant with her chin before making her way as he chuckled and joined her for dinner.
For once, he finally felt his old self again who used to date her except though it's too late now, he was glad to be surrounded by genuine relationships with no expectations and benefits, simply just being family.