Chapter 730 Johnny: I Can Give Up Everything!
The two men stared at each other in silence.
Johnny looked at the man who had been like a father to him. He could still remember when Frederick was young and strong, and now he was just as worried about his children.
He couldn't bring himself to talk about Lola's condition.
He figured Frederick already knew. Frederick just wanted him to make a statement, something like cutting all ties with the Hawkins family. But that seemed too insignificant to Johnny. When he thought of Lola lying in a pool of blood, he couldn't even forgive himself.
The study was quiet, with only the sound of their breathing.
After a long while, Johnny bowed slightly in front of Frederick, apologizing. He knew he didn't even deserve to bow here. Lola was Frederick's precious daughter, and he had driven her to suicide.
At that moment, he forgot to breathe, forgot his heartbeat.
At that moment, he had actually given in.
Johnny's voice was low, "Dad, I'll give the company and all my assets to Lola and the kids. I don't want anything. The kids will stay with Lola."
"Does Lola need money?"
"The family's already in shambles. What's the point of having so much money? Johnny... the child in Lola's belly will be born into a broken family. How do you expect others to explain to her why she doesn't have a father from birth? Why?"
Frederick was extremely repressed.
He rarely smoked anymore because Charlotte didn't allow it, but at that moment, he wanted a cigarette.
He took one out of the pack, placed it between his lips, and lit it, turning his back to Johnny as he slowly inhaled to calm his emotions.
After a while, he spoke in a low voice, "Johnny, you and Lola haven't been a couple for a long time. By rights, you should be in jail for a few years for what you've done, but for Angelina and Austin's sake, I'll leave the decision to Lola... but..."
He took a long time to say this, carefully choosing each word.
After a long pause, Frederick continued, "But from now on, don't come back. Don't show up in front of Lola, don't come to the Hawkins Mansion... If you want to see Angelina and Austin, you can contact Felix, and I'll arrange it. Johnny, I'm old. I can't bear the pain of losing my children again... once is enough!"
Johnny was in a daze.
His clenched fingers were trembling because Johnny understood what Frederick meant. At this age, the child Frederick had lost was him!
Pain washed over Johnny like a tide, making his whole body stiff. When he spoke, his teeth were chattering, but he still insisted on saying it. He said he would never appear in front of Lola again, and wouldn't disturb her or the kids. He would sign an agreement, a permanent one, to give up custody, and hand it over to the Hawkins family.
As Johnny said this, Frederick kept his back turned.
His silhouette looked desolate.
Johnny looked up at him and softly said, "Dad, I'm sorry!"
Frederick's body stiffened slightly. He didn't turn around, just took another cigarette from the pack, his fingers trembling as he lit it.
Johnny kept watching him.
He wished Frederick would take a belt to him, or slap him a few times and yell at him... but instead, there was only a calm severing of ties and negotiation.
Later, Frederick left.
Johnny stayed bowed for a long time, until his back was numb. By evening, Felix came in looking troubled, "Mr. Flores, you should go back."
Johnny asked, "Where's Lola? I want to see her one last time."
Felix hesitated, then softly replied, "You should go back."
As Johnny walked out of the Hawkins Mansion, the evening felt dark and desolate.
He should have left when he reached his car, but he couldn't help walking to the spot where he and Lola had planted a maple tree. The tree was gone, replaced by a small patch of tulips.
In winter, the leaves were all withered.
Felix appeared from somewhere and softly said, "It was Mrs. Charlotte Hawkins' idea. She takes care of it herself now."
Johnny felt a lump in his throat.
He asked, "How's Charlotte's health?"
Felix sighed softly, "How could it be good? She's been worn out over the past year... Mr. Flores, why am I telling you this?"
Felix shook his head and left.
In the twilight, Johnny stood alone, slowly squatting down to touch the withered leaves. He thought, come spring, this place would be full of flowers again.
But he would never see it.
Johnny left, hurriedly, without even a coat. His figure looked thin and lonely. As he gripped the car door handle, the cold wind made him cough.
Austin stood far away, watching him.
Bobby was by his side.
Johnny hadn't seen him in a long time. He wanted to hug Austin, but he wasn't sure if Austin would welcome it. They gazed at each other for a long time before Austin ran off. After a while, Johnny heard Austin crying behind the bushes.
Johnny let go of the car door handle.
He walked over slowly, his steps light, but still startled Austin.
Proud Austin quickly wiped his tears, glanced at him, and walked away with Bobby.
Johnny called out softly behind him.
"Austin!"
Austin stopped, then turned around after a long pause. His expression was complicated as he shouted at Johnny, "When Mom's mad, you should comfort her. Why did you have to find another woman? Why did you push Mom to this point? Mom isn't the same anymore. I hate you!"
Austin was extremely repressed, shouting and then crying.
He had always liked Johnny, but because Johnny meant so much to him, he couldn't accept it.
Johnny's heart ached.
He walked over, squatted down, and hugged Austin. Austin cried and struggled, telling him to let go.
Johnny didn't let him go.
He held Austin tightly, saying over and over, "I'm sorry, Austin. I'm sorry!"
Austin struggled in his arms.
His small fists hit Johnny's shoulders and body. When he got tired, he lay on Johnny's shoulder and cried. He was too young to understand adult matters. He didn't understand why his dad, who used to love Lola, had let their family fall apart.
When Johnny left, he sat in his car, lost in thought for a long time.
He knew he wasn't welcome here.
He should leave as soon as possible.
But now, after leaving, he would never be able to step foot here again. Even seeing his own children would require an appointment with the servants. It meant he and Lola had finally reached the end.
His feelings for Lola were like sand slipping through his fingers.
The tighter he held, the faster it slipped away.
She had told him before that he couldn't keep her trapped forever. How long could he keep her? A year, maybe two? He said he would keep her as long as he could. But he never expected it to end so quickly, and in such a tragic way. Lola had shown him just how much she despised him, how much she didn't want to stay by his side.
It was finally over.
Johnny's face was streaked with tears. He remembered their childhood, the times when Lola, with her little backpack, was sent to school by her parents. He used to carry her backpack for her, and she would jump around happily.
In the sunlight, her little face was so beautiful.
Her golden curls bounced with her every step.
He had witnessed every stage of her growth, he had loved her so much, and they had been so happy.
For the last time, Johnny looked at the mansion. The light was on in Lola's room.
But he could never go in again.
The next day, Johnny sent over an agreement, relinquishing custody of their three children.
Felicity personally delivered the document to Lola.
Felicity placed the document gently on the table and looked at Lola, who was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window. She was shockingly thin. Felicity frowned, wondering how she could be so thin while pregnant.
Felicity carefully spoke, "As for the assets, Mr. Flores will make arrangements. The three children won't be left without..."
Lola interrupted softly, "The agreement is enough. Thank you for coming, Felicity."
Felicity felt a lump in her throat, and she had to control herself to keep from choking up. She said, "It's my duty. I'll be going now... Ms. Hawkins, take care of yourself."
Lola gave a faint smile, "I know."
Amara escorted Felicity out. She and Kingsley had stayed there all night. As Felicity was about to get into her car, she turned and whispered, "Sorry to bother Mr. Kingsley Hawkins. Ms. Hawkins... is the baby okay?"
Felicity was just an employee, so Amara wouldn't make things difficult for her.
But whatever Felicity wanted to ask, Amara wouldn't say. At crucial moments, she would stand by her husband, even though Johnny had treated her well in the past.
Seeing Amara's silence, Felicity sighed softly and asked no more.
She got into the car and went back to report to Johnny.
Amara stood in the parking lot for a while and bumped into Kingsley when she turned around. She called out, "Kingsley."
Kingsley withdrew his gaze and asked, "What did she say?"
Amara lightly held his arm and said softly, "She was asking about the baby. I think Johnny wanted to know. I didn't say anything, and Felicity seemed a bit disappointed."
Kingsley wrapped his arm around her shoulder, walking back while listening to her.
He didn't say anything.
Amara stopped and adjusted his collar, saying, "Why aren't you talking? Weren't you thinking of teaming up with Gavin to beat him up?"
Kingsley took her hand and held it in his palm.
After a long time, he said hoarsely, "What's the point of beating him up? We used to have some feelings, we were brothers, and we could fight it out. Now, there's nothing left. Amara, no one is happy with how things have turned out. From now on, we probably won't have any contact. Besides Lola, the one who suffers the most is probably my dad. Spend more time with him when you can. He likes the coffee you make."
Amara gently hugged his waist, resting her face on his shoulder.
She said, "I suddenly feel like you've grown up, matured. You're different from before."
Kingsley lightly patted her butt, his voice raspy, "When have I ever been lacking in that department?"
Amara's face turned slightly red, thinking, "This guy's mind is always in the gutter."
In the afternoon, Frederick sent the couple away, "You should go to work, and take care of the kids. Lola has your mom and me here. Don't make it seem like the house has lost its soul."
Kingsley also felt that having the whole family revolve around Lola might not be good.
He thought for a moment and said, "Alright, Dad. I'll take Amara and go. We'll be back in a couple of days. Call me or Amara if anything comes up."
Frederick felt comforted seeing their loving relationship.
Kingsley might be a bit proud, but he knew when to back down. He knew what he wanted from a young age, so he didn't take many detours in his relationships. He had two kids and had won over Amara, doing better than Frederick had back in the day.
After sending off Kingsley and Amara, Frederick went upstairs and knocked on Lola's bedroom door before entering.
Charlotte was there, talking with her. When she saw Frederick, she said, "Lola wants to work, Frederick. You should talk to her. She's still so weak and needs more rest."
Frederick slowly closed the door, his gaze falling on the agreement on the table. He guessed what it was but didn't ask. He smiled at Charlotte, "You know our daughter. If she's too weak, she won't take on any litigation cases. She can handle the law firm's affairs. Keeping busy will keep her mind off things. Lola, I support you."
Charlotte couldn't argue with them.
Lola's lips were pale, "Thank you, Dad."
Frederick rubbed his hands together and said, "It's good to work! I just sent Kingsley and Amara away, but we should take a break for Christmas. The family should get together and have some fun... We haven't celebrated Christmas in a year or two. Your mom says I've gotten old and lost my romance."
He laughed, "The flirting tricks you young people use, I've already played all of them."
Charlotte was both amused and exasperated.
Back in their bedroom, Frederick put away his playful demeanor. He gently held Charlotte in his arms and said softly, "You've been exhausted these days, Charlotte. I know you blame me for not caring enough about Lola, but Lola has always been strong. If you keep her at home like a patient, that would truly ruin her. With us here, nothing will happen. After a week, let her return to normal life and work. Charlotte, some wounds only time can heal."
Charlotte leaned lightly on his shoulder, not saying a word.
A week later, Lola resumed her normal life. She was still weak, so a driver took her to and from work.
She didn't overwork herself, working only six hours a day.
When she had free time, she would pick up the kids.
On Christmas Eve, Lola had a meeting with a client at a Manilove restaurant. On the winter night, she wore a dress with a camel coat over it. Her long hair reached her waist, and even her back looked beautiful.
After dinner, the deal was sealed.
Lola put on her coat, said goodbye, and walked out. The cold wind was biting, but fortunately, the car was parked right outside the restaurant. The driver saw her coming and immediately got out to open the door.
Just as Lola was about to get in, a voice called out from behind.
"Lola!"
That voice... Lola's body stiffened. She slowly turned around.
The night wind was fierce, and she saw Johnny.
Under the neon lights, their faces seemed to be shrouded in a hazy glaze, beautiful yet fragile.
When she left Sunset City, it was sudden.
They hadn't even said goodbye. Now, in Seattle, they met again, just as unexpectedly.
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