Chapter 216: A Purpose for the Fallen and Lessons of the Past

Afterward, the catering staff set up and arranged the food on a long wooden dining table on the penthouse’s rooftop patio. They also started a barbecue by the front poolside area. Eric sat outside at the long table alongside Katie, Melissa, Martin, Caleb, and Mike, while Avery gathered with Ruby, Jade, Emma, Tania, Chloe, Monica, Priya, Heidi, and Laura at the gazebo beside the pool, cooing over baby Abby lying peacefully in her bassinet on the center table.

Eric watched Martin and Caleb chatting with Melissa and Katie, while Mike leaned over the grill, talking shop with the working chef. He then turned his head toward the girls at the gazebo. A soft smile crossed his face as he took in the peaceful scene. He couldn’t help but recall how just a year ago, he was a homeless wanderer, kicked out onto the streets and heading to the station with barely a penny to his name, sleeping on a cold bench. His mind then drifted back to his conversation with his father earlier that afternoon at the cemetery.

***

Back to that afternoon at the gravesite. After catching up and reminiscing about the past, the moment arrived to say their final goodbyes. Eric stood in silent reverence, staring at his father’s face on the screen as Ethan gazed right back at him.

"Goodbye, Eric. Someday, we’ll definitely cross paths again when the time is right," Ethan said softly.

"Yeah... goodbye, Dad. But before you go, do you have any final advice for me?" Eric asked.

"Hmm... what should I say? Honestly, I don’t really have much, I trust you completely. But if I had to give you advice... live your life the way you want to. Live with no regrets, be kind to others, and never forget where you came from or how you got to where you are today... I guess that’s just the classic parental advice, huh? Haha," Ethan chuckled softly.

"Haha... pretty standard... but you’re right, Dad. I get it. Thank you," Eric replied, smiling at his father.

"I’m so proud of you, Eric. I know your future is going to be just fine, and I’ll keep praying for you from the other side. Thank you... I’m so happy we got to talk," Ethan said, a gentle yet sad smile gracing his face.

"Me too, Dad. I’m just glad we finally got the chance to talk. I know we’ll see each other again, so until next time," Eric smiled back.

"Yeah... until next time, Eric," Ethan replied warmly.

The holographic display began to fade slowly. Ethan waved his hand, and Eric waved back. Once the screen vanished completely, silence reclaimed the cemetery. Eric bowed his head as tears pooled in his eyes before dripping down his cheeks. Alone before his father’s headstone, he broke into quiet, silent sobs.

***

Back in the present, Eric snapped out of his reverie, looking around the lively rooftop before staring down at the drink held in his hand. Sitting across from him, Martin noticed the subtle shift in Eric’s demeanor despite the faint smile on his lips. Martin reached across the table and gently rested his hand over Eric’s, prompting Eric to lift his head.

"Is something wrong, son?" Martin asked softly.

"Nothing at all, Dad. Just thinking," Eric replied with a warm smile.

"Oh... I see... today’s your birthday... last year... that was the day when..."

"Don’t worry about it, Dad. It’s totally fine," Eric interrupted gently, cutting Martin off.

Martin studied Eric’s calm, serene expression. He swallowed his remaining words, letting the subject drop. Smiling warmly at his son, he reached for the bowl and scooped a generous portion of mashed potatoes onto Eric’s plate.

"Eat up, son," Martin said with a tender smile.

"Thanks, Dad," Eric replied peacefully.

Once all the dishes were laid out, Eric called the six girls and the rest of the group over to eat together. Everyone filed over and took their seats around the long table. Avery sat next to Caleb, cradling baby Abby; Ruby and Tania sat on either side of Martin; Jade sat beside Mike; and Melissa shifted over to sit next to Katie. Meanwhile, up at the head of the table, Eric sat comfortably wrapped between Emma, Chloe, Priya, Heidi, Monica, and Laura.

They shared a lively meal, thoroughly enjoying the delicious food prepared by the catering crew. Laughter and conversation filled the air, with Melissa and Katie huddled close in their own serious, hushed discussion off to the side.

"Here, sweetheart... say ’ah’!"

Emma fed Eric a bite, followed immediately by Chloe, then Priya and Heidi, and finally Monica and Laura, who refused to be left out. Eric swallowed every bite and laughed happily, taking turns feeding each of the six girls right back, all of whom accepted with beaming faces. Once dinner wrapped up, they remained at the table chatting about everything under the sun while the caterers cleaned up and packed away their equipment.

Noticing everyone was occupied with their own conversations, Eric stood up, brought his glass over to the rooftop ledge, and gazed down at the night skyline. The faint honk of car horns echoed from the streets below, neon lights flickered across high-rises, and steady traffic flowed through the city. As Eric took in the view, "tap," a gentle hand patted his shoulder. He turned to find Melissa standing behind him before stepping up to stand by his side.

"What’s on your mind?" Melissa asked.

"Nothing really... just realizing it’s been a whole year since I came to this city. Time flies," Eric murmured, looking back out at the skyline.

"That’s true... back then... after you got kicked out of the house... where did you actually go?" Melissa asked out of nowhere.

"Huh? Why ask about that all of a sudden?" Eric asked, amused.

"Because I was just talking to Katie, and she mentioned you only showed up at her office for the first time the next day. So... I was curious. Where did you go right after you were thrown out?" Melissa pressed softly.

"Ah... that. I just sat at the train station, took a ride out to this city, and crashed on a bench at the station here until I fell asleep," Eric answered casually, as if recounting a story about someone else entirely.

Melissa went silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the bright, bustling city lights stretching out before them. Seeing her quiet down, Eric smiled softly, turning back toward the view.

"Don’t tell me you’re feeling guilty for framing me and getting me kicked out now that you know I slept at a train station," Eric teased gently.

"Huh... um... no, it’s not that I’m regretting it... it’s just... I should’ve found another way to call off the engagement instead of going along with Jason’s plan to smear you... I’m sorry, Eric," Melissa said quietly.

"It’s all in the past now. And honestly, thanks to what happened back then, I ended up right where I am today. So there’s no need for regret. But tell me... do you actually enjoy helping kids who get cast aside or treated like black sheep by their own families?" Eric asked.

"Uh... it’s not just that. I just couldn’t stand watching how your dad, your mom, Ruby, and especially Jason treated you," Melissa admitted.

"Hmm... if you ever ran into another kid going through what I went through, would you help them out?" Eric inquired.

"Depends... but most likely, yeah... why are you asking me this?" Melissa asked, puzzled.

"Because talking to you just now gave me an idea. Back then... I truly had nowhere to go. I was completely lost and had no idea what my future held. Even after getting that call from Mr. Stone, I wasn’t even sure if it was real or a scam... but I got lucky. I inherited all of this," Eric explained.

Melissa remained quiet, keeping her eyes on the city lights as she listened intently to where he was going with this.

"Not every kid who gets treated like an outcast at home or kicked out onto the streets for mistakes they didn’t even commit just because they aren’t the favorite, gets as lucky as I did. So... I just thought, I want to extend a hand to kids who are going through what I went through," Eric added warmly.

"I see... helping kids who shared your fate, huh?" Melissa asked, turning her head to look at him.

"Yeah... like I said, back then I felt like my life was over. My future was pitch black, and I had no idea what to do. Every kid in that position feels that exact same despair. That’s why... I want to establish a non-profit foundation to help kids like me, providing parental guidance on proper upbringing and emotional understanding, as well as giving those kids the resources they need when they’re forced out of their homes. I know for a fact I’m not the only one who went through that hell," Eric stated firmly.

"Oh... so that’s what you mean. That’s an amazing idea, Eric. I’ll support you all the way," Melissa said encouragingly.

"Glad to hear it, because I plan on putting you in charge as the executive director," Eric replied casually.

"WHAT?!"

Melissa gasped in shock, her grip slipping as her glass tumbled from her hand. Acting on instinct, she ducked down and caught it right before it hit the ground. Scrambling back up, she stared wide-eyed at Eric, who remained completely unfazed, gazing out at the city with a calm, amused smile.

"If you’re joking, that’s not funny! I almost smashed your glass!" Melissa huffed, catching her breath.

"What makes you think I’m joking?" Eric asked, turning to face her with a serious yet warm look in his eyes.

Melissa fell silent, studying Eric’s face. Looking into his steady gaze, she realized with complete clarity that he wasn’t joking at all.