"Life is so unpredictable, isn't it?" Simeon chuckled. "It changes every second."

When Andrew did not say anything, he continued slamming with his shady, provoking comments. "Even your mother was like this. Before she married your father, she was this fearless woman who didn't care about anything. She did what she wanted and never listened to me. And I loved this about her. I thought my daughter had turned out to be exactly how I wanted but this didn't last long."

He sighed and helplessly shook his head. "After meeting your father, her entire attitude changed. She was always so careful of everything she did and suddenly one day, I saw her panic, I saw fear in her eyes—the same one I am seeing in yours today."

When Andrew scoffed, Simeon shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I feel like history is repeating itself. Your father never belonged to our world but your mother dragged him and his entire family in. I warned her several times but she never listened to me."

Pausing for a while, he added, "Similarly, this girl doesn't belong to our world but you dragged her in despite knowing the consequences."

Andrew did not say anything, he just kept looking at Simeon as the corner of his lips curled upwards.

"You know, it's funny how you keep comparing me with mom. Not that I am complaining, my mom was an amazing woman who did whatever she could to keep her family safe. And I am proud to be her son. But—" He took a step towards her. "Even though you keep saying I am exactly like her, no one better than you knows that is not true."

"My mother had nothing in her hand but still she managed to protect dad and me for thirteen long years. She gave her best until her last breath," Andrew added.

"But unlike her and dad, I have everything, more than you have right now," he smirked. "If I want to, I can wipe out your existence tomorrow and no one will dare to question me. I just have to lift a finger and you will end up losing your life."

"In the past, you did whatever you wanted because you had the power but this time, you have none. I have made sure you are left with nothing."

Andrew's provoking words rekindled the fire in his heart but Simeon did not say anything. Though his words stabbed his already injured ego, he knew Andrew was right. At the moment, Simeon had nothing. He was nothing more than an old man, counting his last days. And he hated it. He hated how helpless and miserable he had become after being at the top for decades.

"Rachael is my wife and her family is now my family too," Andrew stated. "If anyone tries to touch my family, especially my wife will face worse consequences."

"Let me tell you one more thing Simeon, I am not your daughter, I am not my mom. I will never show you any mercy or fall for your cheap tricks," he added. "My mother was naive to think you had changed but don't expect me to do that same thing for you."

Without waiting for his reply, Andrew remarked, "Just because I stopped Owen that night, don't think that I have a soft corner for you or I care for you. I kept you alive for you to always keep in mind that you are alive right now only because I want you to. I want you to always remember that our life is in my hands and I can do anything with it."

Tilting his head to the side, Simeon curiously questioned him. "When did you become like this? I never expected you to turn into such a heartless and cold person when I brought you home with me." He sighed and helplessly shook his head. "Your mother must be so disappointed seeing you like this."

"What are you saying Grandpa? I am just following your footsteps and whatever you taught me," Andrew smirked. "And don't worry about me disappointing my mother. I am doing exactly what she wanted."

Simeon frowned. "What do you mean?"

Instead of answering his question, Andrew took a step back and instructed him. "Go back home tomorrow itself, I will make all the arrangements."

He then turned around and was about to leave when Simeon stopped him.

"I am staying until Liza and Fredericks remembrance day," he remarked. "I will leave after that."

Andrew threw him a disgusted glance before walking inside the mansion.

....

[Inside]

"Rach, what happened?" When she shook her head, George frowned, "Then why aren't you eating?"

"I am waiting for Andrew," she answered with her eyes still fixed at the entrance. It had been almost fifteen minutes since he left to see his grandfather off and he hadn't returned yet. This made her feel very impatient and restless. She also lost her appetite for dessert as soon as he left.

"Don't worry too much, he is just outside," Michael reminded her.

Just then Andrew walked inside and approached them. When she saw him, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sorry, that took a little more time—" When Andrew saw the untouched dessert in front of her, he inquired, "Why aren't you eating?"

Without waiting for her reply, he took the fork from her hand and scooped a spoonful of the cheesecake Reeta had baked at home.

"Ummm—" He closed his eyes and moaned when the cream cheese melted in his mouth. "This is delicious."

He then looked at Reeta. "Mom, did you make it?"

"Y-Yes—" Reeta nervously answered. This was the first time Andrew had called her 'Mom' since he had married Rachael.

"Can I get a piece?"

historical

"Of course, I will get it for you." She quickly got up and rushed towards the kitchen.

When he started feeding the cheesecake to Rachael, George scoffed, "Were you waiting for your husband to come and feed you?"

"You brat—" Michael smacked his head. "Why are you being so nosy?"

George rubbed his head and frowned, "Dad—that hurt."

"You deserve it for being so nosy." Michael looked at Andrew and Rachael. "Don't mind him, he is just being jealous because he is single."

George: " "

"If you want someone to feed you, I will do it."

When Michael scooped a big spoonful of cheesecake, he immediately stopped him. "There is no need for that, I am okay."

"Are you sure?" Michael extended his hand towards him. "Take a bite if you want to."

"Come on George, take a bite," Rachael chuckled.

"You people are so mean—" He stomped his foot on the floor and got up. "I need my mommy."

Just then Reeta came out of the kitchen with a big piece of cheesecake on a plate. She then placed it in front of Andrew.

"Mom, this is a really big peace," Andrew widened his eyes in shock.

"It's not big, it's so small," Reeta objected.

Andrew nervously smiled and looked at Rachael for some backup.

"Don't look at me—" she shrugged. "When mommy says it's small, it means it's small."

Andrew: " "

....

[Collins Mansion]

As soon as they entered the mansion, Rachael wrapped her arms around Andrew's waist and gave him a tight hug.

In return, he wrapped his arms around her and returned her hug.

"Thank you—" She looked at him and smiled.

"For what?"

"For everything." The immense happiness she felt he called her mother 'MOM' was something she couldn't express.

Rachael never told him to refer to her parents as mom and dad. In fact, she didn't mind him calling them uncle and aunt even after they got married. But today she realised how much it meant to her.

He chuckled and gently pinched her nose. "Silly—"

She tiptoed and gave him a peck on his lips before wrapping her arms around his neck. "You are gonna get so lucky tonight, Mr.Collins—"

"Am I?" He caressed her waist. "But one night isn't enough, I wanna get lucky every night."

She pretended to think for a while before saying, "Hmm..maybe it's possible."

Andrew was about to say something when he noticed someone's presence near the stairs.

When he looked at him, Daniel took a sip the wine and grinned, "Oh I am sorry, I didn't mean intrude—"

When Rachael saw him, she quickly detached herself from Andrew and stepped away.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Andrew frowned.

"I was waiting for you," Daniel answered.

"Hmm, you both talk, I'll go upstairs." When Andrew nodded, she excused herself.

Looking at Rachael's retrieving back, Daniel chuckled, "I didn't scare her, right?"

Andrew shook his head. "Did you meet grandpa?"

"Not yet," he answered. "But I will before I leave."

"He went to meet Rachael's parents today." Andrew took the glass from his hand and took a sip. "I am sending him home tomorrow."

"Good, it's better to keep him away from this place." Pausing for a while, Daniel inquired, "Did you know Igor Petrov is in town?"

....