Jareth''s broad shoulders hunched inch by inch, the emotions he''d never disyed now breached their dam.


    Mari''s clear eyes reddened as she struggled to lift her hand, touching the man''s overly gaunt cheek. Her trembling fingers glided upward, eventually pausing beside his graying hair.


    "Have I be terribly unattractive?" Jareth''s calloused hand covered hers, gently caressing it, as he tried to muster a smile, "I''m not the stud I used to be; Mari, would you despise me for that?"


    "Ah."


    Mari''s heart ached, and even her babbling voice seemed to fail her, ripples of emotion flowing through her gaze.


    Evadne, ever so sensitive and delicate, couldn''t help herself and quietly shed tears.


    Unable to bear the sight any longer, Hamilton, tugging on Frederic''s arm, left the hospital room first. Thad and Evadne followed closely behind, affording the couple their much-needed privacy.


    In the aftermath of the ordeal, facing their profound love for each other, even if Mari couldn''t speak, there was so much they needed to convey.


    Jareth barely managed to hold Mari''s frail diminutive hand tightly, his breath warm and heavy, tears falling onto the back of her hand.


    In silence, they gazed at each other, their deep love needing no words. Mari''s longshes fluttered gently; her slim finger traced slow patterns on the palm of his hand - Lily.


    With the final letter drawn, Jareth''s clenched fist trembled slightly from the force, his downturned lips fiercely suppressing the bone-deep pain of losing a family member.


    "Mari, get well soon. Once you''re better, I''ll take you to see Lily."


    Mari, innocent as she was, didn''t see through his kind deception, simply nodding earnestly, a faint smile gracing her lips.


    Mari awoke, and Hamilton had recovered enough to consider leaving the hospital.


    In the hospital room, Murray busied himself with packing, while Hamilton took the opportunity to speak with Frederic.


    "By this point, I don''t want to waste words."


    Hamilton sipped his tea with a stern expression, "Now, over at the Fairhaven Group, Mr. Barry Fairhaven has passed; Gary and Edith have met justice. Mrs. Fairhaven''s mental state is severe, and she''s been sent abroad for psychiatric treatment.


    Jareth followed through with his word and has resolved all the troubles with the Fairhaven Group. You shouldn''t have any concerns now, right?"


    Frederic, his eyes downcast, seemed to have much to say but struggled to find the words.


    "Jareth, for Mari''s sake, has sacrificed so much. I''ve heard from Thaddeus and na that Jareth''s bodyguard, who grew up with him, chose to perish with the viins to save Mari."


    Frederic nodded gravely, "It was that girl named Lily; I know her. She''s been by Jareth''s side since childhood."


    "Frederic, won''t you let go of your prejudices and ept Jareth? As parents, don''t we just want to see our children happy?


    Think back to your younger days, fighting against all odds to wee Mrs. Winter into the family. Put yourself in their shoes, can you really bear to tear apart these star-crossed lovers? Because of your opposition, how much suffering have these two endured, can you truly turn a blind eye?"


    Suddenly, Frederic remembered his own youth. He, too, had once loved a woman with reckless abandon, just like the young Fairhaven.


    But, he had to admit, he was far less passionate than Jareth, blinded by the allure of Elspeth''s fictitious paradise, thus forever separated from the woman he loved the most, even misunderstanding her for over twenty years.


    Regrets were toote to amend. Yet Mari and Jareth remained hand in hand, defiant through adversity, with a chance to start anew.


    "Dad, I have no objections to Mari and Jareth''s marriage anymore." Frederic sat upright, pausing before adding sternly, "In theing days, I''ll have Dennis prepare some wedding gifts. Though the Fairhaven Group is scarcely popted now, I intend to give my daughter away in a manner befitting her status. Jareth is now the chairman of the Fairhaven Group, and Mari will be his rightfuldy once she''s married off to him. Short of wedding gifts would have those snobs talking behind our backs, disrespecting my daughter."


    Hamilton''s expression was nomittal, "Let the young people decide for themselves. You just need not oppose, and leave the rest alone. Mari has suffered severe trauma and cannot escape her psychological scars overnight. As for the wedding, let the kids figure it out. If not, just get the marriage certificate first to avoid any further dys orplications!"


    Frederic, thinking of how Mari''s due affection had been stripped away by Elspeth''s illegitimate child, felt a mix of anger, hatred, and guilt. He no longer wished for his only daughter to suffer, "Alright, we''ll do as you say."


    Relieved after leaving his father''s presence, Frederic saw Thaddeus waiting for him outside.


    "Is there something you need?"


    Thaddeus pressed his lips, "I just received word that Alex suffered a sudden heart attackst night and died in prison."


    Frederic''s countenance was somber, his tone still haughtily casual, "Divine justice, I suppose. Let that scum rot, a fitting reunion with Elspeth in the hereafter."


    Frederic clenched his teeth, a surge of hatred filling his heart. Thaddeus looked


    on with an opaque expression, "Did you have a hand in this?"


    Frederic''s whole body stiffened as he locked eyes with the deep abyss of Thaddeus'' gaze.


    "You really didn''t have to go through all that trouble."


    No one knew a son better than the father - like wise, Thaddeus read the answer in his expression, his voice deep and maic, "Elspeth has paid the price; her daughter has cut ties with the Abernathy Group, and she will face the music legally. I know you''re harboring resentment because Elspeth deceived you, but taking a life in anger, that''s a road that leads to trouble. I hope in the future you''ll think twice before you act."


    A jolt ran through Frederic''s pupils. It had been years since Thaddeus had spoken to him so calmly, considering his point of view, something that before today, Frederic wouldn''t even dare to dream of.


    Just as Thaddeus turned to leave, Frederic suddenly spoke up, "My resentment isn''t just because Elspeth lied to me."


    Thaddeus paused, his eyes deepening. After all, they were father and son; some things were understood with just a hint.


    "When Mari gets out of the hospital, have Jareth spend more time with her at Windermere Estate."


    Frederic added nonchntly, "I know you and Ms. Ashbourne have your ce, but at the end of the day, Windermere Estate is your home too. It''s not fitting for a grown man to always be living at a woman''s ce. You shoulde back and stay from time to time, if Ms. Evadne is still willing to set foot in Windermere Estate."


    Thaddeus was moved, yet the words "Thanks, Dad" got stuck in his throat and just wouldn''te out.


    The rare moment of peace between father and son was interrupted by Dennis, who rushed over, "Mr. Frederic Abernathy! You''ll never guess who''s back!"


    Dennis'' eyes sparkled with excitement, unable to contain his surprise, "It''s Mr. Chad Abernathy; he''s returned!"