"Leo." Catherine looked at Leo, seemingly sensing sothing amiss. She gazed with explicit threat, despite in the presence of everyone.
It was hard to describe how I felt. How could soone look at their own child in such a way? It was as if he wasn’t her son but an insubordinate slave.
Leo fell silent and shrunk back submissively.
I knew what he was afraid of. If I spoke out, he might have to face Catherine’s punishnt.
Even if I didn’t say anything, he would still be scolded.
"I have nothing to say." The words died in my throat. No matter how much I disliked Leo, I couldn’t bear to see him punished by Catherine.
He was like a puppet that Catherine had ticulously crafted. He appeared to be cherished, but in reality, he wasn’t truly cared for.
Catherine exhaled in relief knowing I wasn’t going to continue. If she provoked any further, it would only be disadvantageous for her.
The Coleman family was now a complex ss with Catherine and Leo’s return. I was ready to leave with Serena, but Damon stopped . "First clear it up, what did Catherine make Leo do?"
"Dad, Mommy didn’t make do anything. Don’t misunderstand her!" Leo, seeing Damon getting serious, quickly went over to hug Damon’s leg and pleaded, "Don’t bla my mommy, okay?"
He started crying as he spoke, and Damon’s expression softened slightly. He loved his son deeply.
I left with Serena in his mont of hesitation. This was their family matter, and I didn’t want to get involved.
"Eliana, you’re back."
Just as I got ho, I found that my mom had returned. She was tending to the vegetable garden in the yard.
I was surprised. "Mom, why are you back? Where’s Dad?"
"Your dad is still dealing with so errands, so I ca back first." My mom looked weary. Her eyes were red and swollen. She managed to squeeze out a faint smile.
"Are things still not settled over there?" I asked softly. My heart ached as I saw my mom’s tiring face.
Mom paused before answering with a choked voice, "Your aunt, Emily... didn’t make it. After we took care of her funeral, I ca back first. I just felt too heartbroken there and couldn’t bear it. Your dad suggested I co back first."
That’s when I learned of Emily’s passing. Mom had never told before that.
I couldn’t help but feel a lump in my throat, and my heart was heavy.
Silence fell over the yard until my mom put down her work, dusted her hands, and ca over to check on Serena in the stroller. "Where did you take her? Why did you leave Brandon ho alone?"
"I took her out for a bit." I didn’t want to tell mom that I had gone to Damon’s house. She was already in a terrible mood, so I didn’t want to make her feel worse.
Mom washed her hands and then picked up Serena, showering her with kisses. "I missed these two little ones. The weather is so hot, and you should avoid taking her out in the sun too much. Don’t damage her delicate skin."
Only when talking about Serena and Brandon did a genuine smile appear on my mom’s face.
Of course, I knew that I wouldn’t have gone if it weren’t for Lisa, and I had no idea that today was Leo’s birthday.
Brandon was already asleep. Mom and I were playing with Serena in the living room, and we talked about my uncle, Lucas’ family situation.
The gate was opened as night fell.
"Jones, you’re back!" Mom’s mood visibly brightened as she saw Jones. To her, Jones was the ideal son-in-law, and she would fully support it if ever I agreed to him.
Jones was montarily surprised to see my mom back, but he quickly gone back to normal. He was always polite and courteous in front of my mom and never caused any scene.
"You’re back." Jones carried so groceries, looking quite abundant.
Mom saw the groceries and felt both grateful and embarrassed. "Jones, you don’t have to keep coming over to cook for Rena. We have Norah here, and you should be busy with work. Don’t wear yourself out."
According to my mom, I didn’t know how to appreciate and value good things and people.
The disagreent Jones and I had a few days ago went unnoticed by everyone. I hadn’t even told Luna about it, so my mom didn’t notice the awkwardness between us.
Jones was observing my reactions, but I avoided his gaze and continued playing with Serena. He reassured my morn, "Don’t worry. I manage my ti wisely. I only co over to cook when I have
spare ti."
Mom gave a look, which I understood. She hoped that I would seize the opportunity and stop rejecting him.
I remained silent, having made up my mind that there would never be any possibility between Jones and . Dealing with one bigoted Damon was enough, I didn’t want to face another extre person for the rest of my life.
Jones probably knew why I was silent. He made his way to the kitchen alone while Norah ca out and praised, "Dr. Jones has once again taken over my job. He said Ms. Brooks has been too tired lately, so he bought a lot of nutritious food to cook by himself."
Norah smiled at . Her eyes was filled with genuine envy. Which woman wouldn’t want to et a man who cherished her like that?
I pretended not to hear, but my mom joined in, "Yes, he’s so busy yet he still finds ti. Truly a good man."
If Jones and I were in love with each other, his affection would indeed be wonderful. But when one party was unable to reciprocate, his kindness beca a lethal poison.
I let my mom and Norah continue praising Jones until he finished cooking and brought the food out.
"I’m not hungry. You guys eat. I’ll go bathe Serena first." I didn’t want to share a table with Jones, so I got up and was ready to take Serena to the bathroom for a bath.
Jones’s lips parted slightly, and his brows furrowed.
His deanor radiated a sense of displeasure, a stern and icy facade that made him seem unapproachable.
"Eliana!"
Mom trailed after into the bathroom with her brows furrowed in confusion. "What’s the matter, sweetheart? Did you have a quarrel with Jones?"
"No, Mom. I’m just not very hungry." I replied, undressing Serena without lifting my gaze..
"Don’t try to fool . Your father and I have been away for a while. What did you two quarrel over? You’re even refusing to eat the food he cooked. It must have been quite a serious wrangle." she prattled on.
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