"That's not necessary. It's a small matter. You shouldn't exert yourself just for this." Zayn said coldly, "I'll go on my own."
"I said I will handle it. Didn't you hear me?" Jombo said angrily. "You're no good at all with your arms this badly injured. Just stay there and get yourself treated. If you're not well enough, who's going to handle the mess in Giblo Group?"
Zayn could tell that his grandfather was dead serious this time, and decided not to argue. "Alright, you can go if you like. This problem was started by you, anyway."
"You're all grown up now to lecture your grandfather about right and wrong, aren't you?" Jombo shouted.
"Of course not, I wouldn't dare, " Zayn answered sarcastically, weary of arguing with him. "That's settled then. You go speak with the Bendays. I won't interfere."
"You worry about your marriage. Leave this to me." Without waiting for a reply, Jombo hung up.
"This old man…" Zayn couldn't help smiling.
"You and your grandfather care for each other, but you both refuse to show your soft sides, " Carla teased. "Is this a hereditary trait of the Giblos?"
"You'd better get used to this, now that you're marrying me." Zayn placed an arm around her shoulder. "Let's go home and rest. You'll be able to sleep well tonight."
"Alright."
They exited the ward and found Mrs. Borah and the children fast asleep at the lounge.
Dori was awake and energetic. She was helping herself to a melon when she saw Zayn and Carla. "Daddy! Mommy!" Dori shouted as she flapped her wings.
"Hello, Dori." Carla coaxed Dori to perch on her shoulder. "It's good to be a parrot sometimes, " Carla said. "You wouldn't have to worry about things."
"Like you, " Zayn teased and picked up the triplets.
Carla woke Mrs. Borah up and they went home—tired but happy.
"Daddy, are we going to take pictures for the wedding?" Venus opened her eyes groggily and whined. "My princess skirt is dirty now. Please remember to tell them to bring me a new skirt."
"Will do." Zayn planted a kiss on her hair.
"Mommy, I will protect you when I'm older…" Josh muttered in his sleep as he drooled all over Zayn's shoulder.
"Thank you for that, Josh, " Carla said as she tousled his hair lovingly. She bent down and kissed Randy, who clutched tightly to her clothes even in his sleep, as though he was afraid that she would be taken from him again.
Carla felt horribly guilty. She made a promise to herself to defend this family with her life and to face any difficulties together with Zayn. There would be no more ideas on running away.
The incident had brought them closer together, and nothing will be able to tear them apart ever again.
The next day, the family made their way happily to the beach for their photoshoot.
Zayn and Carla stood side by side on the beach and vowed in their hearts to spend their lives together, with the sea breeze whipping their hair gently.
The triplets were playing raucously nearby, with Dori gliding over their heads. Mrs. Borah sat in a corner and watched the happy and contented family with a smile on her face.
Benard could not help but sigh at how wholesome Zayn and his family looked. He voiced his sudden desire to look for a girlfriend. Bugara agreed with him.
Jombo received the film of the family's wedding photos. He smiled with content at the children's happy faces.
"Cheeky rascal. What a nauseating sight!" Jombo muttered as he studied Zayn's handsome features.
"I'm sure you don't mean it, sir, " Thompson said in a soft voice.
"Eh?" Jombo looked up to him and frowned.
"Nothing, sir. I did not say anything."
Thompson did not dare incur Jombo's wrath.
He went to the Bendays for negotiation the day before. He overturned their table in a rage and pointed a fierce finger dangerously close to Shelley's nose as a warning. If she so much as touched the hair of a member of his family again, he would raze the very foundations of their ancestral home.
He was as ferocious as he was when he was at the peak of his youth.
Every gesture, every gaze struck fear into their hearts.
Shelley was petrified. She wept and begged for forgiveness, promising Jombo she would never do it again.
Layon felt guilty at how he had failed as a father.
Jombo left Layon a piece of advice. "You should manage your family assets wisely. It is all up to you now…"

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