Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"They are more sensitive when it comes to things in which they have an emotional attachment," Andrew added.

"If Kate wants to try one more time then you should support her. If you keep acting reluctant, it will put more pressure on her."

Daniel sighed and nodded, "I don't know Andrew, it's just very hard."

"Are you scared of being disappointed again?" When he did not say anything, Andrew patted his shoulder. "I know it's hard for you as well and not just Kate."

"I would love you to have a kid, Andrew," Daniel exclaimed. How can he not want someone who is a part of Kate and himself. "But not at the cost of her health."

Pausing for a while, he added, "During the procedure, she feels miserable and by the end, she becomes so weak and fragile. When the IVF isn't successful, she goes through another emotional and mental stress. She doesn't talk, stops going out, stops eating. She just keeps crying for weeks."

He sighed and helplessly shook his head. "I have seen this happen four times, Andrew. And each time, it kills me. I don't think I can handle it one more time."

He always tried to stay strong for Kate because if he broke down too, it would be worse for her. But there was a limit to how much he could control his emotions as well.

More than the sorrow of not being able to conceive, Daniel was more tormented over how much Kate pressured herself. Though it was no one's fault, she kept blaming herself.

This broke Daniel's heart.

"What do I have to do to make her believe that I love her more than anything in this world? How do I make her understand that having a child is not very important to me?"

"She knows that," Andrew remarked. "She knows that you love her, she knows you care for her but that is a different thing. You don't have to give her any justification for your love for her."

"I should just support her, right?"

"That's the right thing to do."

…..

[Elsa's room]

"This room is really big?" Rachael gasped. The room was almost double the size of her room at her parents place.

"You are surprised by this?" Elsa chuckled. "You should see Andrew, Owen and Daniel's room."

"I always wanted to ask this, how did you end up getting the smallest room?" Kathleen inquired.

"Well—" She shrugged her shoulders. "According to the people of this house and my dead father, there was no point of giving me a big room because eventually I'll move to my husbands house unlike my brothers who will bring their wifes."

Kathleen scoffed. "So lame."

"And the fact that no one stays here makes this theory even more interesting," Rachael chuckled.

"I think everyone would have stayed if they hadn't made things so difficult for us." Elsa sighed, "Anyway, why are we even talking about this when we have other important things to discuss?"

She then sat down beside Rachael. "You will be meeting the family members tomorrow, I think it's the right time to train and warn you about a few things."

"Exactly, there was no one to give me any tips or warnings but you have nothing to worry," Kathleen exclaimed. "Elsa and I are here to help you out."

"Are there people I have to stay away from?" Rsachael curiously inquired.

"Of course." Elsa and Kathleen yelled in unison.

"To be honest, you have to stay away from everyone but that is not possible so—" Elsa rubbed her palms together. "We will tell you about the annoying and dangerous ones."

"Let's start with aunt Linda," Kathleen sighed.

"Oh good one," Elsa exclaimed. "I was also thinking about her."

They gave each other a high five before diverting their attention towards aunt Linda.

"The first person you need to be careful of is aunt Linda," Elsa explained. "She is my dad's first cousin."

"And she was also the first person who spoke against my marriage with Daniel," Kathleen added. "If I am not wrong, she was also the first person who proposed that Andrew should marry—" She stopped midway and frowned before looking at Elsa. "What was that woman's name again?"

"Who?"

"The one who is crazy about our Andrew."

"Alina?"

"Alina?"

Rachael and Elsa exclaimed simultaneously.

"Yes, Alina." Kathleen looked at Rachael. "How do you know her? Oh God, please don't tell me that crazy woman followed him to the city as well."

"Daniel had mentioned her name when he visited us," Rachael answered.

"You didn't meet her, right?" When she shook her head, Kathleen sighed, "Good, it's better if you don't."

…..

[Smirnoff's Family]

"Ouch—" Alina hissed in pain and kicked the helper who was helping her wear her shoes. "Are you trying to kill me?"

The helper panicked and quickly kneeled down in front of her and bowed down. "I am sorry madam, I—"

Before Alina could say anything, a woman entered the mansion.

"Alina, what are you doing here?" The woman exclaimed as she quickly approached him.

"Ashley, what are you doing here?" She frowned. They had plans of meeting at the theatre to catch a movie.

"I came here as soon as I heard the news." When Alina frowned, she added, "Andrew is back."

"What?" Alina's eyes sparked as soon as she heard Andrew's name.

Her weird obsession over Andrew started when he first saw him in high school. She had a crush on him for almost fifteen years now.

Unlike other people, Alina never even tried to hide the admiration and obsession she harboured for the man. She tried different tricks to win him over but nothing worked.

Just like her, Andrew was also very clear that nothing could ever happen between them. He even protested when the elders tried to arrange their marriage.

But Andrew's resistance didn't stop her from pursuing him. Even though she knew he didn't like her, she still kept trying.

And now that he was married, she still had no intention of stopping.

"But—" Ashley pursed her lips.

"But what?"

"His wife is here too."

"So?" Alina shrugged. "We don't care about the wife, do we?"

Contemplating for a while, Ashley asked, "He is married now, are you still gonna—"

"I never stopped," she chuckled. She didn't care if he was married or his wife was with him.

Being the beloved daughter of the socialite family, Alina was used to getting everything she wanted. All her demands were fulfilled in a blink of an eye without any questions asked.

Andrew was the only thing she couldn't get or make hers.

Though she found it a little weird, Ashley still shrugged it off like she always did. "What are you planning to do now?"

Keeping quiet for a while, Alina asked, "What are their plans? Is he planning to show his little woman around?"

"Hmm from what I heard, the Volkov's are going to throw a party for her tomorrow. Many people are invited."

"Hmmm, is my family invited too?"

"Maybe."

"Then let's pay her a visit." She smirked. "I also want to see who Andrew chose over me."

...

[Volkov Mansion]

After dinner, Elsa, Rachael and Kathleen huddled together again to continue the conversation; they had to leave midway as they were summoned for dinner.

Looking at the three women who were engrossed in a serious conversation, Owen sighed, "They never run out of topics, do they?"

"Look who is saying that," Daniel scoffed. "You should be the last person judging someone's gossip capacity."

"I agree with that." Justin nodded.

"Ben, you must always stay here," Helen insisted.

"Thank you madam but I already have a room at the hotel." Ben tried to politely turn her down.

"Why would you stay in a hotel when we have so many empty rooms?" She frowned. "Just stay here."

Not knowing how to turn her down again, Ben looked at his boss for help. But Andrew just shrugged his shoulders and looked away.

"Tomorrow many people are coming over," Helen remarked. "There are many young women of your age, maybe we can fix you up with someone too."

Ben: " "

"Madam—"

"Don't try to persuade me anymore, you are staying here and tomorrow I'll find you a wife," Helen stated. "I met your mom last month, she was very worried about you. If you find yourself a wife, she will be at peace."

"I already have a girlfriend."

Helen raised her brows. "You do? Your mom did not tell me anything."

"That's because I haven't told my family about my relationship yet," he answered. "But I will do that soon."

"Okay, that's very nice," Helen smiled. "Who is that lucky woman? Where is she from?"

"Her name is Tina, she is from the city." When Helen frowned, Ben added, "She is one of madam's best friends."

"Oh I see." She gave him a weak smile. "Everyone of you has found someone from the city. Seems like you people are planning to settle there forever."

...

[Authors note]

Greetings to everyone :)

I hope everyone is doing okay.

November has been a really dark month for me and my family as we lost our 19 year old cousin in a road accident.

I had to fly back to my hometown for the funerals and other arrangements.

But now I am back and I am trying to get back to normal schedule as fast as possible.

I will start updating the chapters regular starting today. But I am sure about the frequency or the time.

I hope you guys will understand and continue supporting the book like you always have. :)

Thank you :)