Chapter 2

Rachel recognized the man from the previous day, now standing at her father's funeral. Before she could invite him in, a voice spoke up, "Mr. Reinhardt, please come in." Stepping aside, Rachel allowed him entry, observing as he smiled at her before walking into the house.

"I am so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Swan," Daniel said, his tone solemn. "I know this is a difficult time, but I wanted to personally handle all the formalities related to Jacob's employment." He reached into his pocket, producing a check, and extended it towards Maria.

"What is this?" Maria asked, confused as she looked at the check.

"That’s the money from Jacob’s employment," Daniel explained calmly.

"But this amount... it’s too much. Are you sure this is correct?" Maria asked, her voice tinged with shock.

"Of course, it is the correct amount, Mrs. Swan. I wrote the check myself," Daniel assured her.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Reinhardt. I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just...," Maria trailed off, trying to find the right words.

"I completely understand, Mrs. Swan, and I am not offended at all," Daniel replied with a reassuring smile. "Jacob was more than just a colleague to me; he was a dear friend. His loss is as shocking to me as it is to you. But rest assured, the amount in the check is what he earned, so there’s nothing for you to worry about."

Rachel, who had been quietly observing, couldn't help but wonder how a man like Daniel could be so calm and generous. Her thoughts were interrupted when Daniel addressed her directly.

"You must be Rachel. Your father spoke of you often. He wouldn't stop talking about you whenever we spent time together," Daniel paused, his expression sincere. "I’m truly sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man."

Rachel managed a small smile. "He sure was. Maybe that’s why the universe took him so soon."

Maria chimed in, "Thank you so much for bringing the check personally and for being there for us during these hard times."

"It’s the least I could do for my friend’s family," Daniel replied.

Daniel then hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully. "There is something else I wanted to discuss," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency. "I know this might not be the best time, but I couldn’t delay it any longer."

Maria and Rachel exchanged puzzled glances before Maria asked, "What is it, Mr. Reinhardt?"

"I'm not sure if Jacob ever mentioned this to you," Daniel started, his gaze shifting between Maria and Rachel, "but Jacob and I had discussed the possibility of marrying Rachel to my elder son, Ethan, once she finishes her studies."

Rachel's reaction was immediate and firm. "What? My father would never do that!"

Maria, still trying to process the revelation, added, "Actually, I do remember Jacob mentioning something like this once, but I thought he was just joking." Maria interjected, her voice trembling with uncertainty. She exchanged a quick glance with Rachel, who stood frozen, trying to comprehend the weight of Daniel's words.

Daniel took a deep breath, sensing the tension in the room. "I understand this is a shock to both of you, but Jacob and I had been discussing this for quite some time. He wanted to ensure that Rachel would be well taken care of, and he trusted Ethan and our family to provide that security."

Rachel's mind raced, replaying memories of her father. He was always protective, always thinking ahead. But marriage? To Ethan? It felt like a betrayal of her own autonomy, a decision made without her consent.

"Mr. Reinhardt," Rachel finally spoke, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her, "I appreciate your concern and whatever agreement you had with my father, but this is my life we're talking about. My father may have had the best intentions, but he wouldn't have wanted to force me into anything against my will."

Daniel's expression softened, and he nodded. "You're absolutely right, Rachel. Your father loved you more than anything, and he wouldn't want you to feel pressured. This was merely a discussion we had, a way to ensure your future. But I want you to know that the choice is entirely yours. There is no obligation."

Maria placed a comforting hand on Rachel's shoulder. "Rachel, your father always respected your independence. He might have discussed this with Mr. Reinhardt, but ultimately, the decision is yours. We are here to support you, whatever you decide."

Rachel felt a surge of relief and gratitude towards her mother. She took a deep breath, her thoughts clearer now. "Thank you, Mr. Reinhardt, for sharing this with us. I need time to process everything, especially with everything that's happened recently."

Daniel smiled warmly. "Take all the time you need, Rachel. There is no rush. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of our discussions and to offer my support to you and your mother during this difficult time."

As Daniel left the house, Rachel and Maria sat together in silence, the weight of the conversation still lingering in the air. Rachel knew she had a decision to make, but for now, she was grateful to have her mother by her side, offering the strength and love she needed to navigate the path ahead.