A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 271: Fate’s Sweet Irony ( 271 )

Chapter 271: Fate’s Sweet Irony ( 271 )

"So..." Hanako leaned slightly forward, folding her hands around her teacup. "Since your father is a bit... traditional, any plan on how your wedding ceremony will be held?"

Kyouko, still a little flustered from the earlier teasing, nodded gently. "Haruki said he wants a Shinto ceremony."

"Oh..." Hanako’s eyes softened, her smile tinged with sentiment. "The way your father always hoped. I still remember... when I married him—it was a bright morning, crisp air, shrine bells ringing in the distance. Everything smelled of incense and new beginnings."

Keiko rested her cheek on her palm, her voice dreamy. "That sounds beautiful..."

Hitomi nodded. "I always thought Shinto ceremonies have a calm, sacred feel... like everything is being blessed."

Hanako looked at Kyouko. "You’ll look lovely in white. That traditional shiromuku would suit you so well, with that graceful way you carry yourself."

Kyouko lowered her gaze slightly, smiling modestly. "Haruki said the same. He wants to see me in it."

"Well," Hanako said, taking a sip of her tea, "your father will be proud. Especially now that things are finally being done the way he always wanted—with the right man by your side this time."

Kyouko blinked and looked up. "Mother..."

Hanako didn’t elaborate. She simply smiled, that quiet kind of motherly approval that didn’t need words.

"Make it beautiful," she added softly. "Not because others will see it, but because it’ll be the memory you carry with you. Just like mine."

"Mm... I will, Mother," Kyouko replied gently.

"Good." Hanako smiled and took a slow sip of her tea.

"Since all of us," Hanako added, glancing between Keiko and Hitomi, "were married in Shinto ceremonies... it’s only you who had a modern-style wedding before—with Satoshi."

Kyouko frowned slightly. "Yes yes... and please, Mother, that old man is nothing now."

Hanako chuckled lightly. "Ah, no—I’m not bringing him up so you’ll remember him. I just want you to remember not to make the same mistake twice."

"Mou~ it wasn’t my fault anyway," Kyouko muttered, lips pouting slightly as she leaned into the cushion beside her.

"Yes, yes... you rushed into marriage with him before we finished looking into his background." Hanako set her cup down gently. "You’re lucky he never knew your father was the Takahashi Group. All he thought was that your father had some connections—he never realized he was speaking to the actual owner of Takahashi Group."

Kyouko sighed with a sheepish smile. "Yes yes... I know, Mother..."

Hanako looked at her with quiet curiosity. "So... do you still contact them?"

"No," Kyouko replied, shaking her head. "I already blocked Satoshi’s number. But... I haven’t blocked Satomi yet. She’s still my daughter. And... Haruki told me not to."

"Oh?" Hanako arched an eyebrow. "Why?"

Kyouko tilted her head, lips curling in subtle confusion. "Hmm? I don’t know. Haruki just said something about... ’a surprise.’"

"Really?" Hanako blinked. "What kind of surprise?"

"I don’t know," Kyouko repeated, her voice light, but her fingers tightening a little around her cup. "Knowing him... it’s probably something mischievous."

Keiko giggled. "Maybe he wants Satomi to witness the wedding. That would be a surprise."

Hitomi smiled softly. "Well... she should see what real love looks like."

Hanako then glanced around the room.

At Kyouko sipping tea with Keiko and Hitomi, their conversation light and peaceful. Laughter flickered in the air, soft and warm.

Inside her mind, Hanako’s thoughts drifted, her gaze lingering quietly on her eldest daughter.

So that’s why, huh... Kyouko-chan.

That’s why he didn’t want you to block Satomi’s number just yet.

Because Satomi... still doesn’t know. She doesn’t know who Haruki’s bride is. She probably imagines a random girl.

Some new, ordinary woman from his office, or someone from his circle. Someone plain. Someone who could never compete with her.

She thinks she’s irreplaceable.

Hanako’s fingers gently tightened around her teacup, a quiet, knowing smile appearing on her lips.

But what a mistake you made, Satomi.

You abandoned him when he needed you most, and then handed him to your own mother, thinking Kyouko was too old, too distant, too proper to ever matter. Thinking she’d be just a caretaker. Just someone to "watch over" your husband.

How blind.

You underestimated your own mother. Her grace. Her strength. Her beauty that never faded. And the warmth she always carried, quietly, even after years of neglect.

And you... you pushed him away. You thought you had control. Not knowing that you were just pushing him straight into the arms of someone who could truly care for him... and be cared for in return.

Hanako took a small sip of tea, her expression unreadable, though a subtle smile curved her lips.

What a beautiful mistake.

Because what she didn’t see... was how easily people fall for kindness. For warmth. For quiet beauty that doesn’t scream, but lingers.

And now?

Now the man you discarded is marrying the woman who outshines you in every way.

Hanako chuckled to herself.

"Mother?" Kyouko tilted her head, raising a brow.

"Hmm?"

"What’s with that smile?"

"Ah, nothing." Hanako waved her hand gracefully, her voice light. "Just remembering something sweet."

Keiko leaned in with a grin. "Tell us!"

"Oh? You girls want to know about how your father and I fell in love~?" Hanako teased, her eyes sparkling.

"No!" all three answered in chorus, laughter spilling across the room.

Hanako chuckled again, eyes narrowing in amusement as she sipped her tea.

But inside her mind, her thoughts were sharper... colder.

How satisfying it’ll be—

When Satomi finally sees the truth with her own eyes.

That her ex-husband... is marrying a better woman.

More beautiful. More graceful. More loved.

And it’s someone she’ll never, ever be able to outshine.

Her own mother.

Hanako smiled again, serene.

What a delicious twist of fate.

Hanako’s smile didn’t fade.

She lifted her teacup again, calm, poised.

But inside her heart...

She must be surprised when she receives the invitation.

Haruki... marrying again? So soon?

And when she sees the name.

When she sees who it is.

Hanako’s gaze drifted to Kyouko, who was still chatting quietly with Keiko and Hitomi.

Ah... I can’t wait to see that girl’s face.

Even if she is my granddaughter.

Her fingers rested gently on the porcelain cup, but her thoughts cut deep.

Betraying your own mother...

Betraying your own husband...

Hanako’s eyes softened again, but her mind remained steady.

I saw the reports.

I know what you did with your father.

You thought no one knew. Thought your mother would just play housemaid, watching over your husband. Thought you could keep everything tied up in your neat, selfish little web.

But you forgot one thing, Satomi.

You underestimated love.

She glanced again at Kyouko.

That serenity. That beauty.

And how Haruki looked at her now—like a man reborn.

So now...

You’ll watch him stand at the altar.

Holding hands with the woman you tried to discard.

The same woman who now holds everything you lost.

And there will be no escape from that truth.

Hanako gently set her teacup down.

Her voice calm.

"I think the weather will be good on the wedding day."

Kyouko looked up and smiled. "Yes... I hope so, Mother."

Hanako smiled back, serene.

It will be more than good.

It will be perfect.

( End Of Chapter )