“This is a special room,” Soren says, changing the subject. “I had it built after Daniela died.”
“I can’t imagine how difficult it must’ve been for you to lose your wife a year after losing your oldest son.”
He nods. “I didn’t think I was going to survive their deaths. My four sons kept me going.”
“I’m glad they did.”
“So am I,” he says. “Roman’s accident brought back a flood of fear. The worst part was, I couldn’t fly to Hawaii to see my boy—I still can’t. Thank God he’s alive. Our video calls bring me peace of mind.”
“I can understand.”
He points at two photos. “I desperately miss Daniela and Barron, though.”
“She was so beautiful,” I say.
“She was,” he says. “I’m not destined to love again. Daniela was the love of my life.” Sadness veils his blue eyes. “The moment I caught sight of her, she was it for me. Cliché, I know, but it’s the truth.”
That’s such devotion.
“I love this photo of her the most.” He points.
Daniela is wearing an elegant black hat with a wide brim. She has a Hermes scarf wrapped around the band. She’s sitting near the pool, an e-Reader in hand, smiling and waving at the camera. Everything about Phoenix’s mom screams style.
“It was one of the better days during her treatment.” Soren rakes his hand through his salt and pepper hair. “The hat was to protect her from the sun and to hide the telltale signs of the ravages from the chemo. She had lost her long, dark hair. Still, she was my beautiful, fighting queen.” His voice breaks.
My heart goes out to him. I place a comforting hand on his forearm.
He places his hand over mine and squeezes. “You know what I’m talking about.”
I nod, fighting back tears, as sad memories of my mom’s courageous fight assail me.
“It’s so hard to lose someone you love like that,” I say, wiping away tears. “You’re nothing more than a powerless spectator and there’s nothing you can do to stop the hurt… or the tragic ending.”
“And trust me when I say this, even when you have all the money in the world, it’s still not enough to get the pain to stop.”
A moment of silence passes between us.
I shift my gaze to the wall of memories. “Which of your sons is the most like your wife?”
“Barron…” Soren lets out a long breath. “In terms of personality, my oldest son had his mother’s temperament. They approached life in a similar manner. They even had the same laugh.” He pauses. “That’s why it was so hard for Daniela after Barron’s death. She felt she lost a part of herself.”
“I was lost for a long time after Mom died,” I say. “So was Dad.”
He nods. “I’m still lost, quite frankly.”
My heart breaks for this man.
“Phoenix has the same particular shade of blue eyes as Daniela. Roman has one hazel-blue eye. Phoenix and Wilder are a mix of both of our personalities. Whereas Slate is a mini me. Roman is our wild card child. Who knows who he takes after?” He chuckles.
I laugh.
Soren’s eyes move to the photo of his oldest son. His lips curl up in a sad smile. “Dear Barron…” He traces the frame. “Being at the helm of König Imperial Holding was his dream and destiny. He wasn’t supposed to die this young. I didn’t see the signs and I have to live with the guilt every single day.” Another pause. “I never expected Phoenix to rise to the challenge the way he has, and I didn’t think he was going to handle the additional responsibilities after my heart attack and Roman’s accident. He surprised me.”
“He’s quite the astute and badass executive. I’m proud to stand by my man.” I laugh.
My father-in-law doesn’t.
“I might just be a nosy and hopeful old man, but watching the two of you… I reckon it’s more than a fake arrangement. You don’t have to impress anybody today. It’s just family. Everyone present is in the know. Yet, Phoenix and you can’t keep your eyes—or hands—off each other.”
