Hand in Hand to Monastic Life

The man my wife had always loved suddenly became a monk.
To follow him, she donated her multi-million dollar fortune to build him a monastery, joining him in a life of piety.
I was left to wander the streets with our sick daughter, desperately seeking medical help, nearly freezing to death.
Eventually, I worked construction, did dangerous underwater salvage workanything to keep myself and my daughter alive. Through sheer force of will, I built my own company from the ground up.
Then, on the very day I landed the biggest contract of my career, my wife returned.
Her one true love had cancer, and she wanted me to pay for his treatment.
1.
The day I secured the largest construction project in the city, I received a text from my sister-in-law.
Cole, my sister's back. Get ready, we're almost at your office.
I stared at the screen, a cold knot forming in my stomach as the words sank in.
Rhiannon. My wife. The woman who had abandoned us to chase after a ghost in a monastery.
I didn't reply. A second text came through.
Come on, Cole, don't be so petty. She promised me this time, shes not going to leave you again. Its been so many years, and she really misses Summer. Can you really stand for your child not to have a mother?
I read the words and fell silent.
The mention of Summers name sent a jolt of panic through me. I immediately dialed her number.
Summer was only five when Rhiannon left. The day she understood her mother was gone for good, she cried until she was sick. For years, her most frequent question was always the same: Daddy, why don't I have a mommy?
I didn't want Summer to know Rhiannon was back. She had finally, painstakingly, come to terms with a life without a mother. I couldn't bear to see her heart break all over again.
Summer picked up, her voice bright. "Hey, Dad! When are you picking me up?"
I forced a smile into my voice. "Hey, sweetie. Dads got something to take care of today. How about I have Lily, my assistant, pick you up? I sent her some money. You two can hit the mall, buy yourself something nice."
"Wow, Dad," she teased, "since when did you get so generous?"
"Don't be a smart-aleck," I chuckled. "Just come by the office after you're done shopping, okay?"
"Okay! Thanks, Dad."
2.
After hanging up, I hurried downstairs. Two women were standing outside the main entrance.
Even after all these years, I recognized Rhiannon instantly. She hadn't changed much, though the once-flawless skin of her face now bore fine lines. Her complexion was darker, and I could see threads of gray in her hair.
She stood with her hands on her hips, her voice sharp with impatience as she spoke to her sister.
"Did you even tell Cole I was coming today? I've been waiting forever. Why isn't he down here yet?"
Her sister, Ruby, tried to placate her. "Calm down. You were gone for years. It's normal for him to be a little moody. Just be patient."
Rhiannon scoffed. "I can't believe I ever fell for a man like him."
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
She wasn't wrong. Even I had been shocked when she'd agreed to marry me. She came from a wealthy family; I was a poor kid from the countryside with no parents. But the man she'd always worshipped, Leo, had moved abroad. It was as if she'd given up on love, and she stumbled into a life with me.
After we were married, her familyand she herselfnever stopped looking down on me.
Then came the news that Leo had renounced the world to become a monk. That same night, Rhiannon made her decision. She liquidated her multi-million dollar assets, sold her company, and used the money to build a monastery for him, joining him in his spiritual retreat.
The world was stunned by her grand gesture. The story of their epic, tragic love was on everyone's lips.
Meanwhile, our daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and desperately needed money for treatment.
With nowhere else to go, I took Summer and started searching for a cure. With no money, we slept on the streets. I took the most dangerous jobs I could findconstruction, underwater salvage diving. One dive could earn me a hundred thousand dollars. I lost count of how many times I went down into the dark water, how many times I almost didn't come back up.
After years of risking my life, I finally had enough money to save my daughter.
Our lives had just found a fragile peace, a measure of comfort. And now, Rhiannon was back.
As I stood there, lost in thought, Ruby spotted me.
"Cole! There you are!" she called out cheerfully.
Rhiannon turned, her face a mask of annoyance. "What took you so long? Hurry up and let us in. My legs are killing me from all this standing."
A cold smile touched my lips. "What are you doing back here?"
Her expression hardened. "Your company is my company. Why can't I be here?"
"Yours?" I sneered. "If I recall, you sold your company. And your home. Or have you forgotten?"
She flinched, then her face flushed with anger. "It was years ago! Can't you let it go? For God's sake, you're a grown man. Stop being so petty."
"I'm not as generous as you, 'Miss Rhiannon.' I wouldn't spend my entire fortune to play nun with another man."
My words hit their mark. She raised her hand to slap me, an old, familiar gesture. She used to do that whenever she was the slightest bit displeased. Back then, because I loved her, I took it.
But now?
I wouldn't let her lay a finger on me.
Sensing a fight, Ruby quickly stepped between us. "Hey, what's wrong with you two? This is supposed to be a happy day. Why are you fighting?"
She turned to me, her voice wheedling. "Cole, I know you're upset. She was gone a long time, it's normal to be angry. But I've already given her a piece of my mind. She promised she'll never leave you again. You know what they say, couples fight. There's no need to make a big scene over something so small."
"Small?" I repeated, my voice dangerously low. "She almost got me and my daughter killed. Is that a small thing?"
Rhiannon exploded. "Of course it's a small thing! And what do you mean, I almost got her killed? You're her father! It's a man's job to provide for his family! What did you expect from me, a woman?"
She was practically screaming now. "Besides, it was my money! I could have thrown it in a fire and it would have been none of your business!"
Hearing that, I laughed. A hollow, empty sound.
"Fine," I said. "If that's how you feel, then please leave. I hope you never appear in front of me or my daughter again. We don't want to see you."
Seeing my resolve, Ruby looked from me to her sister, flustered. "Cole, don't be so rash. Even if you don't want to see her, what about Summer? Have you asked her what she wants? I'm sure she misses her mother."
At the mention of her daughter, Rhiannons confidence surged back. "That's right. I'm Summer's mother. I have a right to see my own daughter. What right do you have to kick me out?"
She said it without a hint of shame.
That's when my control finally snapped. I turned to the security guard. "I don't know these two women. Please escort them off the premises."
Rhiannon shrieked and lunged at me.
But just then, a clear voice cut through the chaos.
"Dad? What are you doing out here?"
3.
Panic seized me. Even now that Summer was a teenager, I still saw the flicker of envy in her eyes whenever she saw other girls with their mothers. I was terrified that the heart she had so carefully walled off would be sealed shut once more.
I tried to step in front of her, to shield her from the sight of Rhiannon, but it was too late. Summer had already walked right up to her.
"Summer," Rhiannon gushed, her voice dripping with manufactured emotion. "It's me, Mommy! I'm back! Did you miss me?"
I watched my daughter, my heart in my throat, ready to throw them both out at the slightest sign of distress.
But Summer just smiled. "Mom. You're back."
Rhiannon was ecstatic. She shot me a triumphant look. "Yes, I am! Your father was about to turn me away. You've grown up so much, Summer. You take after me, thank God. Not petty like your father."
She tried to take Summer's hand, attempting to project the image of a doting mother.
Summer gently pulled her hand away.
Seeing the flash of anger on Rhiannon's face, Summer just smiled again. "Well, since you're here, you might as well come in."
Rhiannons smug expression returned.
I took Summers arm, my voice low. "Summer, if you don't want to see her, I'll get rid of her right now."
She just patted my hand. "Dad, what are you talking about? She's my mother, after all."
Her composure eased some of my fears.
Rhiannon and Ruby swept into my company as if they owned the place. They looked around, their noses in the air. "Cole, I have to admit, I'm surprised a country boy like you managed to start a company," Rhiannon announced. "It's not bad. But I don't like the decor. You'll have to have it redone."
My employees stared as the two women strutted around, pointing and criticizing. Whispers broke out across the office.
Rhiannon sat down in my chair, in my office, like a queen on her throne. After a moment, she pointed a finger at my assistant, Lily. "What kind of assistant are you? I've been here for five minutes and you haven't even brought me a cup of tea."
She sneered at me. "See, Cole? You still don't know how to manage people. But don't worry, I'm back now. I'll take over and get these people into shape."
My face was a storm cloud. If it weren't for Summer, I would have dragged her out by her hair.
Lily looked at me, uncertain.
But it was Summer who spoke. "Lily, would you mind getting us some tea, please?"
Lily nodded and quickly left.
Rhiannon continued her inspection of my office. "This will all have to be redecorated to my taste. Oh, and Ruby doesn't have a job right now. Find her an easy position here tomorrow. Since she's my sister, her salary can't be too low. Let's say ten thousand a month, plus full benefits."
Ruby beamed. "Thank you, Cole!" she chimed in, not waiting for my reply.
I just sneered and excused myself to the restroom.
On a whim, I pulled out my phone and accessed the security camera feed for my office.
As soon as I was gone, Ruby turned to her sister. "You were right, Rhiannon. You know him so well. No matter how mad he is, he wouldn't dare do anything to you with Summer around."
She ran her hands over the expensive furniture. "Our family has been in decline ever since Mom and Dad died. I haven't been around things this nice in so long. You have to play your cards right this time."
Rhiannon smiled smugly. "Of course. I know Cole better than anyone. He acts tough, but he's a total softy. All I have to do is act a little vulnerable and he'll cave. Soon, all of this will be mine."
The greed in her eyes was undisguised.
I let out a short, sharp laugh. I couldn't understand how she could possibly believe I was the same man she'd left behind, the man who would forgive her anything. Or how a person could be so utterly shameless.
4.
Just as they were talking, Summer walked back in.
Rhiannon pulled her into a chatty, casual conversation. "So, Summer, you must be in middle school now, right?"
Summer smiled faintly. "I'm in high school, Mom."
Not even knowing what grade her own daughter was in. Rhiannons face flushed with embarrassment, and she quickly changed the subject. "Oh, right! I was just so excited I forgot. It's a good thing you look like me. If you took after your father, you'd probably be working some dead-end job by now."
Even now, her disdain for me was palpable. She seemed to have forgotten that our fortunes had been completely reversed.
Summer didn't argue. Instead, she said, "Mom, my dad has a dinner meeting with some important clients at a five-star hotel. We should probably get going."
Rhiannon's eyes lit up. "Oh, perfect. Your aunt and I are starving. We'll go with you."
When I came out of the restroom, she looked at me imperiously. "Go get the car."
Before I could speak, Summer stepped in. "Oh, Mom, I'm sorry. Dad has to pick up his other clients. There's no room. You'll have to take a taxi."
Rhiannon was clearly annoyed, but she reluctantly agreed.
In the car, I looked at my daughter, confused. "Summer, I'm not picking anyone else up. And... you don't hate her?"
Summer just looked at me. "She's my mother, Dad."
I drove to the hotel in silence.
Rhiannon and Ruby had arrived before us. After finding out which private room we were in, they had made themselves at home, taking the seats at the head of the table.
I was furious. These were business associates, friends, but even so, her behavior was appallingly rude.
Summer, however, remained calm. With a maturity that belied her years, she simply signaled for the waiter to begin serving the food.
Rhiannon's eyes were practically glued to the lavish dishes being brought outroast duck, lobster, steak. She looked desperate. Too many years of a vegetarian diet, I supposed.
But when she noticed that everyone at the table had been given plates and silverware except for her and her sister, she snapped at the waiter.
"Hey! Is this what you call five-star service? How am I supposed to eat without any utensils?"
That's when Summer smiled. "Mom," she said, her voice sweet as honey, "I didn't tell them to set a place for you and Aunt Ruby."

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