Defying Fate: The Unstoppable Eileen



Terrence stood there, momentarily stunned by Eileen's lack of enthusiasm. With a touch of bewilderment in his voice, he asked, "Don't you find it romantic, Eileen?"

Eileen just stared blankly at him.

Romantic? Is it?

Terrence continued with a gentle smile, "Imagine a little haven, away from the hustle and bustle of the world - a quaint bridge over a babbling brook, a couple like something out of a fairytale; such a life exudes a serene and tranquil charm, doesn't it?"

Again, Eileen had no response.

Terrence, undeterred, went on, "You won't need a mansion, just a cozy place for the two of you would be enough to call home. You don't need a fortune, just simple meals to sustain you. Waking up to the ocean and looking up to see the spring bloom, a small backyard could hold all the happiness for two."

Eileen's face twisted into an awkward grimace.

How many girly movies had her brother devoured to be spouting such nonsense?

In a hushed tone tinged with irritation, Eileen turned to her niece Isabel and asked, "How long has your dad been like this?"

Isabel, not quite getting Eileen's drift and busy with her food, responded with a puzzled, "Huh?"

Realizing she couldn't get the little girl to understand, Eileen stealthily approached Egbert Reed and whispered, "Has he seen a doctor about this?" Egbert just pressed a hand to his temple, wincing slightly, and muttered, "Some people actually like that kind of life."

Eileen's eyes widened in disbelief, "Like you?"

Egbert simply replied, "Like him."

Eileen glanced back at her brother before saying, "Is this some kind of rich kid rebellion? To have a mansion but choose a cottage, to shun delicacies for plain home cooking? Fine, but remind him to keep these thoughts within family walls. If he says this stuff in public, he's asking for trouble."

Egbert said nothing, just sighed.

Finally, dinner was over.

While Eileen went to change Isabel's bandage, Egbert took the plates to the kitchen to wash up.

Terrence followed him to the doorway, sighing, "Sorry for not being much help."

Egbert, scrubbing the dishes with practiced ease, replied calmly, "No problem, you did help by keeping quiet towards the end."

Terrence frowned, "Do I know my sister so little? Her thoughts seem so different from most young women. Do you know what she likes?"

Egbert answered, "Used to be money."

Terrence was taken aback, "And now?"

"Still money," Egbert stated.

Confused, Terrence probed further, "What does she need all that money for?"

Egbert paused, thinking of the current state of "Apex Synergy Group," and then said, "According to her, she doesn't need to spend it, but she can't stand being without it."

Terrence was about to leave after dinner.

Isabel hid upstairs, not wanting to come down in case her father took her with him.

After Eileen called for her several times and Isabel stubbornly refused to come down, Eileen awkwardly told her brother, "Have Egbert drive you home."

At the suggestion, Egbert scrunched his brow in disapproval. Meanwhile, Terrence dismissed it with an easy smile, replying, "No need." He turned to Eileen, hesitated, but finally raised his hand toward her.

Eileen, fighting her reflex to twist the arm of a stranger reaching out to her, stood still.

Terrence's warm hand rested on top of her head as he said softly, "You were so small when you got lost, and now, in the blink of an eye, you've grown into a fine young lady."

Eileen, head bowed, was still controlling her instincts and remained silent.

Sensing her tension, Terrence sighed and withdrew his hand, speaking warmly, "It's alright. We'll have plenty of time to get to know each other and regain what was lost, right?"

Eileen could only respond with a faint "Mm."

Turning to Egbert, Terrence said earnestly, "Take good care of her."

Egbert nodded solemnly.

After Terrence left and the front door closed, Isabel finally dared to peek from upstairs.

Eileen beckoned to her niece.

Isabel scampered down the stairs and Eileen lifted her into her arms, playfully pinching the girl's nose, "You didn't even say goodbye to your dad." Isabel buried her face in Eileen's neck, murmuring, "I can see dad anytime, but I won't be able to see you soon, Auntie."

Eileen was puzzled, "Why won't you see me soon?"novelbin

With a pout, Isabel said, "Because Mr. Reed is going to take you away."

Eileen looked at Egbert, who chuckled and asked, "You are quite smart."

Eileen glared at Egbert and asked Isabel, "Who told you these things?"

Isabel mumbled, "Grandma said so."

Curious, Egbert inquired, "What else did grandma say?"

Isabel replied, "Grandma also said that Mr. Reed is the enemy and not to be nice to him."

Eileen spent one more day with Isabel. On Monday morning, a crew member arrived to pick up the child, claiming that her guardian had arrived.

After sending Isabel off, Eileen turned to find Egbert lounging on the sofa, watching the news.

She walked over and patted Egbert on the shoulder, "Isabel said goodbye to you and you didn't even respond."

Egbert put down the remote and took her hand, saying, "Have a seat."

Eileen didn't sit. She withdrew her hand and squeezed next to Rolls-Royce on a single-seater sofa.

Egbert looked at her with amusement, "If you like kids, we could always have our own..."

"Rolls-Royce, go bite him!" Eileen interrupted before Egbert could finish, rousing the drowsy cat to launch an attack on Egbert!

The small cat let out a colossal yawn and wriggled into Eileen's lap, burrowing into the folds of her sweater as if it was his personal sanctuary. Egbert stated with a calmness that belied his amusement, "After all the cans of gourmet tuna I've fed him, he wouldn't dream of biting me." Eileen tapped the little furball's forehead in a mock reproach, "You've got no ambition, do you?"

Oblivious to the nuances of human speech, the cat merely tilted his head back, gave a soft, plaintive "meow" to his owner, and resumed his nap. Just then, the doorbell chimed. Egbert got up to answer it, and when he returned, he was carrying two enormous boxes adorned with a card on top.

"A new task card?" Eileen set the cat aside, stood up, and reached for the card, flipping it open with a flicker of curiosity.

After reading it, she was rooted to the spot in shock.

Egbert placed the boxes on the coffee table and straightened up, asking, "What does it say?"

Hesitantly, Eileen handed over the card to him.

After Egbert read it, he, too, paused in stunned silence. Then, he finally recited the task written inside, "Within two days, please capture your very own wedding photos."