What? No!

One month later.

"Why aren't you asking me?" Felix turned his attention from his phone to Brooklyn.

"About what?" The words failed to come out of her mouth. Frustrated, she tore her gaze away from his and went back to the view outside the moving car.

Brooklyn could feel that the emotions she had buried would boil over. She clutched her hands tightly, feeling anxious.

When Felix saw Brooklyn getting anxious, he placed his hand over hers that were shaking. The warmth from his hand startled her. She looked up at him, not saying anything. Felix's small gesture of lightly squeezing her hand helped her calm down.

"We're here." Only after Kane announced their arrival did the two break eye contact. Brooklyn stepped out of the Range Rover.

She glanced at Felix one more time before closing the car door and heading inside.

Brooklyn straightened her back and took confident strides towards the private room of Luminous five star restaurant.

Her footsteps halted when she reached the private room's door. If she opened this door, there was no coming back.

Her throat suddenly felt dry as she reached the door knob, opening the door.

"Brooklyn! There you are. Come on, have a seat." The man was ecstatic to see his daughter.

Valerie who was sat beside him, smiled warmly at her daughter, encouraging her to sit down with them.

Brooklyn shakily exhaled, trying to push back her tears. She quietly sat down, facing her parents.

Her gaze was fixated on her father who was busy making small talk with her.

"Come on, Brook. I'm talking to you." He grumbled, seeing that she made no attempt to say anything but quietly stare at him ever since she sat down.

"W-when did you get out?" She scolded herself for stuttering.

Arnold put his cutlery down. "Last month."

Brooklyn scrowled. "What?"

"I told him not to contact you."

Brooklyn scoffed. "Right."

"Anyways. Now that we're finally back together as one family..." Gina spoke.

"Family?" Her eyes got teary. "He literally jeopardised us all!"

The room fell silent.

"As I was saying." Gina spoke up once more. "Now that your Dad's finally out. It's only right that he takes over the art gallery once again."

"What? No!" Brooklyn retorted. "You can't be serious."

Her parents glared at her.

"Do you seriously think that you're capable of running the gallery? Don't be ridiculous." Arnold spat out the harsh words.

"I don't think. I know I'm very much capable." Brooklyn stood her ground. "Who else has been running it smoothly ever since you got locked up?"

"What a joke. You're just an insufferable child who seeks validation left and right." Arnold coldy glared at her. "You're not fit for that position with your weak willed nature."

Brooklyn clenched her hands tight. His words always stung, just like now. Am I wrong to wish that he should've just rot in that prison cell?

"That's enough from both of you." Valerie stepped in. "It's been decided. Your Dad's taking over his usual place as the president of Crystal art gallery. Let's go, honey."

Her parents made their exit.

Brooklyn's gaze remained fixated on the empty chairs that were once occupied by her parents. The all familiar emptiness enveloped her.