CHAPTER 13

Life Isn’t As Joyful With Money

Jade POV

I know this is probably the last day I’ll get to spend with my dad freely… without bars separating us, without him knowing the full truth. So I decided to make it count.

We were at the shopping mall, walking side by side beneath rows of glowing store lights, surrounded by laughter and the sound of card swipes. The normalcy felt cruel. My dad didn’t know he was spending what might be our last day together before I’m gone. Locked away. The air felt thicker with every breath I took, but I kept a smile glued to my face.

I watched him closely as he examined some oddly shaped spoons in a kitchenware store. He looked so at peace, so unaware. And so old. When did he start graying at the temples? When did his hands start to tremble slightly when reaching for his glasses?

I turned my eyes to the clothing section. I wasn’t sure what to get him. I didn’t have forever to decide. That coat—I wanted him to have something that could hold him like I wouldn’t be able to.

I spotted a red and black winter coat, big and thick and warm. It was the kind that hugs you like a person would. That was the one.

“Dad, try this one,” I said, holding it out with a hopeful smile.

He blinked, looking at the coat like I’d just handed him an alien costume. “Wear this again?”

Sorry, old man. I know you’re tired. I know shopping isn’t your favorite, but please… just let me do this.

“Yeah, Dad. Please?” I pouted, giving him the wide eyes he always had trouble resisting.

He sighed heavily and took the coat. “Alright.” He frowned but slipped his arms into the sleeves.

I helped him adjust it, pulled the collar around his neck, and stood back. Perfect. It was him. He looked warm, strong, safe.

“Hot, hot. It’s very hot!” he muttered, tugging at the zipper.

I laughed a little. “Yeah, but what about winter? What if I’m not there to keep nagging you into layering up?”

He grunted. “Why do I have to get a coat in this weather? It’s summer, for goodness’ sake.”

“You always say that you’ll buy one later,” I replied, tugging the coat a little tighter around him, pretending it was a hug. “That old coat you have has been around since I was in diapers. It's got more holes than a sponge.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You’re supposed to buy winter coats when it’s cold, not when it’s steaming like this.”

“No, no,” I shook my head, “it’s cheaper now. You always complain when it’s winter and everything costs a fortune. Let me do this for you.”

He looked at me, puzzled, then softened a little as he caught something in my expression. “You sure it’s not too thin?”

I ran my hands down the fabric, pressing my fingers into the padding. “Nope. It’s thick. And it’s got this soft lining inside. You’ll love it.”

He nodded slowly. “Okay. If you say so.” He pulled it off and handed it back. “You’re acting weird though, Jade.”

I chuckled to cover the sudden sting behind my eyes. “Weird? Me? Come on.”

“Very weird,” he muttered as he walked ahead of me toward the cashier.

I looked down at the coat in my arms, clutched it like it held everything I couldn’t say, and followed him.

---

After shopping, we went to a restaurant. Not just any restaurant—one of those fancy places we always passed by but never entered. Today was different. I wanted to give him something he wouldn’t forget.

“Thank you,” I said softly as the waiter placed our plates on the table. The aroma of seared steak filled the air.

He looked surprised, maybe even a little uncomfortable. “You sure this place is within budget?”

I smiled as I cut the steak into neat slices, then switched our plates. “Here you go, Dad.”

He raised a brow. “I ain’t no baby.”

“Just let me,” I said with a gentle nudge.

He huffed but took the plate, eyeing me like I’d grown an extra head.

“You know, this place was featured on TV like three times?” I whispered with a grin.

He looked around, unimpressed. “Food’s food. Goes to the same place.”

“But the experience, Dad. That’s what matters.”

He took a bite, and then he froze. His eyes widened just slightly before he tried to play it cool.

“Mmhmm,” he muttered through a mouthful, then shoved in four more bites. I smirked.

I watched him, memorizing every wrinkle around his eyes when he smiled, every sarcastic mumble that came out of his mouth, every way he reminded me of safety.

“Wanna go see a movie after this?” I asked, pushing my plate away. “It’s been years since you’ve seen one in a cinema, right?”

He shrugged. “Just do as you normally do. No need to overdo it. Being married’s going to be exhausting enough.”

I flinched a little inside but laughed. “That’s right.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and pretended my stomach didn’t twist when he said married. I hated lying to him. But what was I supposed to say?

Hey Dad, I might be sentenced this week. Let's make the most of it, shall we?

---

After lunch, as we walked home, my dad held up one of the receipts from the shopping trip like it was a crime scene.

“Do you usually go around spending this much?” he asked, squinting at the number like it personally offended him. “Money… that thing you work hard to save but disappears the moment you blink.”

I laughed and snatched the receipt. “If you’re going to keep complaining, I swear I’ll never bring you to a nice place again!”

He rolled his eyes. “Spend all my money, and I can’t even get a thank you without a lecture.”

We stood at the edge of the sidewalk. He caught up to me when I slowed down.

“You don’t want to hear me lecture? Hurry up and get married then.”

I snorted. “Even if you don’t remind me every five minutes, I am getting married. Soon.”

He looked ahead. I watched the light from the setting sun catch on his glasses.

“You know…” I began, walking beside him again, “you could start dating again. Go on a date with someone nice. It’s not good for older people to live alone. William’s parents, even when they fight all the time, at least they’re together.”

He stopped. I paused a few steps ahead and turned back.

“Once I get rid of you, I’m going to,” he said with a smirk that was pure mischief.

My mouth dropped. “Excuse me?”

“Because you’ve been hanging around all this while,” he went on, clearly enjoying himself, “I couldn’t get married. I have skills. I own a shop. Is your dad lacking in any way?” He raised his chin proudly.

I just shook my head and laughed. “Unbelievable. Men and their egos.”

“Oh, by the way,” he said, adjusting his glasses again, “someone came by the shop earlier. Said he was paying back a debt.”

My stomach flipped.

“What debt?” I asked quickly, too quickly.

He pulled out some crumpled bills. “Gave me twenty-something dollars. Said something about collateral. Said he’d be back to pick it up.”

My heart dropped.

Collateral? No… it couldn’t be. Nathaniel?

Shit.

“That’s nothing,” I said quickly, grabbing his arm. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s get going.”

He narrowed his eyes but didn’t argue. I pulled him toward a taxi before he could ask more questions.

In the backseat, I rested my head against the window, watching the city blur past. My dad hummed beside me, looking through his phone. I wanted to freeze the moment.

Because no matter how joyful money can make a day like this feel… joy isn’t what I feel deep down.

It’s the heartbreak of pretending.

Of smiling when every second brings me closer to goodbye.

Of wanting so badly to protect someone who has no idea he’s about to lose me.