10 Chapter 10 This Day Belongs To You Zain's POV 1 Cherry stepped into the upstairs study to discover me rifling through desk drawers . The sound of footsteps made me look up instinctively . Recognizing Cherry , I questioned , " Where's Blanche ? " Cherry gestured toward the stairs . " Mrs. Jacob rushed out . Something pressing seemed to have come up . " I shot upright , rare fury flashing across my features . " She left ? " I'd arrived at the study per her request , only to find emptiness . Now she'd vanished without explanation . My anger was justified . Sensing my darkening expression , Cherry paused before venturing to ask , " What are you searching for , Mr. Jacob ? " " Some documents should be on this desk , " I replied icily . " Have you spotted them ? " After considering this , Cherry's expression brightened . " Oh yes ! Mrs. Jacob requested I deliver them to you . I stored them in my quarters to avoid forgetting . Let me retrieve them now . " I scowled , my voice thick with irritation . " Never handle anything in my study again . " Cherry mumbled agreement and rushed downstairs . I had barely taken my seat when my phone buzzed . Ophelia was calling . " Haven't you finished yet ? Carry refuses to sleep and keeps demanding you . " I paused , uncertain what task I was meant to complete . Rather than seeking clarification , I simply stated , " I'll arrive shortly . " Downstairs , Cherry rummaged through her room , oblivious that I had already departed . After ransacking every drawer and surface unsuccessfully , she muttered , " Where did I stash those documents ? " Blanche's POV At daybreak , rain started falling , its rhythmic tapping echoing against the car glass . Heated air drifted from the vents . Amara slouched in the passenger seat , her face pressed into shaking hands . I observed quietly , my concerned stare locked on Amara's trembling frame . Eventually , Amara spoke , her voice barely audible , " Marquis betrayed me again ." I'd stopped counting how often I'd heard these exact words . Amara had devoted years to Marquis Landon since university . Their bond was stagnant , yet it wouldn't end either , Whatever passion had existed had long since died , yet Amara still held onto hopes of an engagement . Still , the pattern remained unchanged . His infidelity was consistently met with her forgiveness , repeatedly . At her age , Amara felt imprisoned in their dynamic . The simple idea of existing without Marquis filled her with dread , trapping her in a cage of her own design . Quiet filled the vehicle , interrupted only by Amara's muffled weeping . My throat burned with all the thoughts I couldn't voice . " You have to break free ," I finally said , my tone steady . " I can't , Blanche ." Amara's voice cracked like brittle glass . " All these years , I've surrendered half my heart ." She pushed her palms harder < 10 Chapter 10 This Day Belongs To You against her puffy eyes , as though she could force the tears to retreat . I couldn't bear it any longer . I reached across and pulled Amara's hands from her face , making her confront reality directly . " You're deciding not to ," I said , my voice sharp with exasperation . " If I managed to move forward , you can too . " Amara shifted and met my eyes . The quiet extended between us until Amara murmured , " Have you truly ? " " I have , I matched her stare with an honest nod , my face showing the calm assurance of someone who had traveled this agonizing journey before . Amara recoiled under the force of my conviction . That depth of certainty couldn't be manufactured . Her focus wavered first , falling to her own quivering hands . " But I'm unable , " she gasped , tears streaming down her face . " He possesses half my existence . What remains of me without him ? " I studied Amara for an extended moment before releasing a weary breath . " I'll quit trying to convince you . You'll understand when you've crashed into that barrier enough times . " I understood this pattern intimately . My own family had pleaded with me to avoid that destructive relationship , but I had threatened to disown them . That's how these situations unfolded . Until someone awakened independently , all the wisdom in the world was merely squandered energy . Amara sobbed until her eyes stung , then grabbed her phone and repeatedly called Marquis . When he blocked her , she seized my phone to continue attempting . After what felt like an eternity , Marquis finally picked up with a growl , " Christ , Amara ! When will you quit ? Can't you just give me peace ? " Amara had barely uttered one syllable before he continued irritably , " We're finished discussing this . I'm going to bed ." The connection ended with a definitive click . Amara instantly redialed , but now only reached his voicemail . Tears dropped onto the black screen like precipitation . I witnessed it all with a stab of familiarity . I recognized my former self in Amara's desperation , recalling how I too had once grasped at that same hollow affection . Without speaking , I took Amara's shaking hand and squeezed it firmly , providing only silent support . Early in the morning , I was already at the market for tonight's family gathering . The morning flew by in a whirlwind of preparation- mincing herbs for the roasted chicken , skinning potatoes , cutting vegetables . Camila , visiting for the weekend , arranged silverware and creased napkins at the dining table , occasionally snatching a cherry tomato from the salad preparation bowl . The house buzzed with morning energy as the others pursued their schedules . Roger and Quinton hurried off to the office after breakfast , while Amber , employed as a model , left for her spring collection photoshoot . Even Irene had sneaked out early , intent on securing the first choice of the bakery's renowned double - layer chocolate cake before it disappeared . That evening , I assembled a generous feast : herb - crusted chicken with garlic and rosemary , smooth mashed potatoes , steamed broccoli and carrots , and a garden salad with cherry tomatoes . 15.59 972 10 Chapter 10 This Day Belongs To You When the family assembled , they marveled at the substantial meal . Quinton's gaze unconsciously drifted to me . I stood beside the table with my apron strings pulled snug around my waist , my bare face a sharp contrast to the spoiled younger sister he recalled . The Jacobs had transformed me , stripping away that refined appearance and leaving behind a weary ghost . Quinton passed his briefcase to maid Isabela Leonard , wiping his hands roughly on the towel she provided . " Since when does this household require its lady to cook ? " he snapped . " We employ staff for this . And half the establishments in town serve superior food anyway . The words were cutting , but I detected the familiar protective tone in his voice . I knew Quinton was correct . The Callum weren't extremely wealthy , but certainly comfortable enough to eat out frequently . Tonight's cooking stemmed from my guilt . For years , I had prepared elaborate birthday feasts for Donovan Jacob , yet never made even a basic salad for my own father . The shame of that neglect stung more intensely than any oven heat . Amber nudged Quinton under the table when he continued making cutting remarks . He grimaced and finally quieted . The dinner overflowed with joy . Amber insisted everyone take photos between courses . After eating , Camila playfully smeared cake on my face . Amber did the same to Quinton . Soon Camila had us all singing the birthday song before we extinguished the candles together . Among the laughter , my chest constricted as I recalled how I had spent this date for the previous years . But those times were finished . Opening my social media for the first time since marriage , I uploaded nine radiant photos of tonight's celebration . The caption read simply , [ This day belongs to you now , Dad . Happy birthday . ] Comment 0