Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 471

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Chapter 471

Robert lay unconscious and could no longer answer any questions.

The paramedics lifted him onto the stretcher while Vance climbed into the ambulance right behind them. The elderly woman kept exclaiming until the ambulance drove away. Her voice faded in the distance.

Emergency treatment followed, then admission to the ICU. The entire day passed in a blur.

By the time Vance returned to the house, night had already fallen. The doctor had told him the outlook was grim and that the family should prepare for the worst.

He had nothing to prepare. Robert had arranged everything for himself long ago. Calling Vance here had probably been nothing more than a request for him to bear witness: Robert Bradford had once existed.

Vance had once declared he had no father, but when the end came, he would show up to see Robert off and close the bitter chapter of their bond.

That night, he ate a couple of dry slices of bread, choking them down with water until he couldn’t swallow another bite. Even with the heat turned up high, the rooms felt strangely cold and oppressive.

The next day, before visiting hours had even begun, the hospital called to declare Robert’s death.

Vance didn’t feel sad. He had stayed all this time waiting for this moment. Still, he couldn’t shake the strange feeling that it had happened too quickly.

The arrangements were kept simple. There was no funeral. The body was cremated, the ashes were buried, and the headstone bore no name. Following Robert’s wishes, it carried only one line: [A man without a soul.]

The day after the burial, Robert’s lawyer came to visit. There was a will and a letter addressed to him.

[To my son:

[I know you hate it most when I call you that, but you also know how stubborn I am. Forgive me for calling you my son one last time.]

[My life has been one long failure. In the end, I’m truly grateful you were willing to stay with me for a few days, even if you said you only came to bury me.]

[I picked up the pen, hoping to leave you something, yet I discovered that besides money, I have nothing worthwhile to give. I’m only worried about what you will do from now on. I have no right to teach you anything. I stumbled through my own life in confusion, so all I can do is wish you this: don’t suffer too much.]

[I’m sorry for causing you pain. If I had known it would turn out this way, I would rather never have brought you into this world. You wouldn’t have had to endure this. We probably won’t meet in the afterlife. In the next one, I hope you are born into a good family, with parents who love you and light up your path.]

[Your unworthy father, Robert Bradford.]

“Your father left everything to you,” the lawyer said. “I’ll help you handle the inheritance procedures going forward.”

Vance gave a bitter smile. What was the point of any of this now?

He read the letter once more. Robert had written that he was worried about what Vance would do in the future.

Vance had the same question in his mind.

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He sent Lucas a message: [He’s gone. I’m heading back to the States.]

Lucas replied almost immediately: [My condolences.]

Condolences for what? He wasn’t grieving at all.

Lucas: [The New Year is coming. What are we going to do?]

The same question came again.

Vance: [Are you really fine with going back to selling tea?]

It took Lucas a while to answer: [I know my limits. I was never any kind of business genius. Without you pulling me along, I’d just be an ordinary office worker. I’m more worried about you. What are you gonna do without the company?]

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