Mommy for Billionaire's Baby
Chapter 46

In Nathan's schedule, visiting Tasya's father's grave was planned a week before their engagement. Unfortunately, their busy lives caused a delay in that agenda. As soon as Tasya mentioned the day they could visit, Nathan eagerly got ready. "Are we on the right path, Tasya?" Nathan asked once more.

"I actually forgot, Nathan," Tasya said with a faint smile. "It's been so long since I visited Papa's grave."

"Oh my." Nathan facepalmed. "So, you declined not because you didn't want me to visit, but because you forgot?" From the map displayed on his fancy phone, they shouldn't go wrong with the location of the public cemetery. "Not really," Tasya laughed. "I just don't want to dwell on the past, Nathan."

"The past strengthens us, Tasya. The future is to be planned, especially with me by your side."

Tasya rolled her eyes. "Why have you become so sweet since we got engaged?"

Nathan's laughter filled the car cabin. "You should know what kind of guy you're engaged to, Tasya," Nathan said with a mischievous wink at Tasya, who was now looking more annoyed at him. "Uh... is this the right way?" Nathan asked again. "Yeah, I think so," Tasya admitted that she had somewhat forgotten the exact location of her father's grave. She didn't resent her father, but she had suddenly been preoccupied by circumstances that made her focus on survival. There was no time to grieve for her fate. She had been struggling with the responsibilities thrust upon her.

One thing Tasya remembered about her father's grave was the lush tree and a wooden hut not far from the cemetery area. It was sometimes used for the caretakers to rest, just like when Nathan's car began to enter the parking area. The lush tree stood tall in the distance, and the wooden hut was still there.

"There," Tasya pointed after confirming the location of her father's grave. Vague memories replayed in her mind of her father's funeral. What Tasya remembered most was her mother's curses when the grave was freshly filled with the still-red earth, strewn with flower petals. It was not yet dry, and the tombstone was simple wood.

It was different now, with Tasya having replaced it with a much better burial marker and diligently maintaining it, paying fees in this cemetery complex. Her father's name was etched clearly there, and the image of her father's face danced in her mind.

Tasya was a child who had been saturated with her father's love, but she felt that it was all in exchange for what her father had left behind. Complete with a list of debts and obligations to many people who demanded payment from Tasya without regard for timing.

Nathan accompanied Tasya with slow steps because his fiancée had suddenly become much quieter than before. There were frequent long sighs, as if it were too heavy to continue walking toward the cemetery area. "Tasya," Nathan called.

"Yes?"

"You're uncomfortable, aren't you?"

The breeze around the cemetery tousled Tasya's hair, and she forced a smile. "Well... kinda."

Nathan should have realized this, right? "I'm sorry," he said, approaching and pulling Tasya into his arms. "Should we go back?"

"I actually miss this place, but when I remember everything I went through, I can't really be okay, Nathan. It's tiring." For the first time in her life, Tasya was venting. Previously, she didn't want to share anything about her exhausting life and responsibilities.

Nathan's embrace made her somewhat comfortable. Despite the fear and embarrassment, who knows if someone saw them, Tasya couldn't push Nathan away. She needed someone to lean on, and it felt like Nathan was the right person. "Mama often warned Papa about his gambling habits, not to mention drinking," Tasya said in a hushed tone. "But he never paid attention to Mama's words. Papa always silenced Mama with his money, which was plentiful at the time, Nathan. I don't understand, even though gambling can lead to its own losses, right? But not Papa. What I noticed was that he often won. Funny, right?

I wanted to laugh, but everything I went through was too heavy to be laughed at. "Unfortunately, what I thought was a victory turned out not to be. All I found was a mountain of debt so huge that I couldn't understand why Papa did that to all of us."

Nathan nodded in understanding. "Okay, let's go back now. Anyway, I've asked Ronan for permission to marry his sister. Someday, I'm sure my wife will introduce her father to me."

***

"Hey, where's Tasya?" Sunny asked with surprise. She thought her daughter and future son-in-law had come home together to enjoy dinner.

"Tasya went back home, Ma," Nathan laughed. "Can't wait to have her here every day?"

"That's you!" Sunny half teased Nathan. "You forget how scatterbrained you get when Tasya's not around?"

"Don't be too honest, Ma. If Naina hears, it won't be funny."

Sunny burst into laughter, and a familiar voice chimed in - Alexa.

"Noah Sinclair rarely speaks openly like Nathan. He's not very talkative in front of me, Ma. But he's always attentive to Jannet Sinclair. Ah, I miss them."

"We stopped by there earlier, Oma," Nathan said while laughing.

"You said you visited Tasya's father's grave, but instead, you went to Noah and Jannet's place? You should've taken us along. We miss them too, Nathan," Sunny felt like she wanted to pinch Nathan's ear hard. This kid was really outrageous. "Tasya's in need of some cheering up, Ma. So, visiting Noah's grave while reminiscing about when I was a kid, at least it brought a smile to Tasya's face."

Both Sunny and Alexa exchanged glances.

"I'm going to my room now. There are other activities tomorrow."

"Oh, don't forget, you haven't sorted out the venue yet. What date is it today?" Suddenly Sunny sounded a bit hysterical. "Plus, the concept Tasya wants is great too."

Nathan grinned widely. "Nope, haven't sorted out the venue with me yet. Marrying Tasya is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and I want it to be an unforgettable moment for us."

Sunny sighed in exasperation. "You're driving me crazy!"

Nathan chuckled afterward. He quickly made his way up the stairs, shouting a bit to call Naina. "Naina! Daddy's back, didn't you want to greet me?"

There was no response.

"Naina!"

"What's up with all the noise? I'm in a video call with Mama Tasya. Geez, seriously. I feel sorry for Mama Tasya now. Why's Daddy so noisy all of a sudden? Whose influence is he under?"