When a barrage of emotions welled up, they were written all over my face.
Immediately, Anthony pulled me into his embrace. He then squeezed my shoulder twice with his large hand and comforted me, “As long as we are doing well, they’ll be happy for us.”
Despite knowing that he was attempting to console me, I couldn’t help but feel emotional. As I leaned onto his chest, I sighed. “If it’s possible, I want to return to how we were in the past. Even though we didn’t love each other that much that time, at least everyone was still alive. They would not be the passerby in our lives that would disperse as soon as the wind blow.”
Hearing that, Anthony took in a deep breath, causing his chest to rise and fall intensely. “You can only hold grudges against me then.”
I got up and raised my head to look at his chin. “What nonsense are you talking about again? Didn’t we make a promise before to never talk about what Nicolas Hall had caused before? So, why are you blaming yourself again?”
“That’s not what I meant.” Anthony chuckled. He then put his hand at the back of my head and pushed me back into his embrace. Gently, he brushed over my hair as he uttered, “It’s because I can’t bring myself to love you any lesser. Otherwise, we’ll end up so much different today.”
At his words, I felt calm washed through me at once.
Perhaps he was right. Life and death were a part of nature, and everything had its destined fate. Should there be any wrong step in between, we would never be able to feel each other’s warmth and heartbeat as what we were doing now.
Only after visiting the seniors of the Featherstones and Winona did we depart to Macy’s cemetery.
After years in and years out, the black-and-white photo of Macy at her best age at the tombstone remained undamaged.
Instantaneously, countless memories welled up inside my heart. I walked over, put the flower in my hand down, and crouched down. Then, I extended my hand to touch the tombstone with the hope of being able to feel her warmth again by doing so.
As I looked at the photo, I started to mumble uncontrollably, “It’s been so long since I last visited you. I bet you must be mad at me, right? You should stay safe and live well in the other world. Stop worrying about me. Anthony’s nice to me, and we have got a pair of adorable twins now. I’m sure that you’ll like them once you meet them.”
At the mention of the children, I raised my head to look at Summer before continuing, “Summer is fine as well. She’s a Math genius and has started her business now. In the future, she’ll surely be a lady boss of the bar that is much younger than you.”
I sniffled to suppress my tears from rolling down my face. Next, I beckoned Summer to come over. “Come closer, Summer. Let Macy have a good look at you. Do you still remember that I brought you here when you were younger?”
“Yes.” Summer nodded before approaching me and putting down the white Lily in her hands.
When she raised her head to look at the photo, a rare gentle smile bloomed on her face. Calmly and naturally, she continued, “I’ve never forgotten about it.”
If Macy heard her remarks, she would surely feel comforted. Even if Macy couldn’t live in Summer’s memory as her mother, Macy would always have a special place in her heart.
Perhaps it was the telepathy between the mother and her daughter. After a mere two seconds, Summer touched the photo subconsciously and said absentmindedly, “Mommy, do I look a lot like Aunt Macy?”
I blurted out, “You do. You’re basically a replica of her. When you were first born to this world, she adores you a lot, even making you her goddaughter. In fact, nothing is wrong if you call her mom.”
Indeed, Macy had the right to hear Summer addressing her that.
Of course, it would solely depend on Summer’s decision, as I couldn’t force her into that. Moreover, I didn’t want to hurt her by telling her about the old days. After all, those memories were too burdened for her.
Yet, surprisingly, Summer accepted my words without resisting.
As she cast her eyes on the photo, a smile lingered on her face, not fading even after quite some time. With a hint of wariness in her gentle voice, she called out, “Mommy, I’m here to visit you. Are you glad to see me?”
Despite the only reply she got was an endless silence, it was still a heartwarming sight to behold. How fortunate was the mother to reunite with her daughter to know that she was doing fine?
Macy could finally rest in peace down there.
At that moment, Anthony, who remained silent the entire time while standing beside, said suddenly in a low voice, “You’ve grown up and soon will have to stand on your own, so it wouldn’t be appropriate if you keep bringing your teacher along with you as you go around. The others would mock you for being a dependent child. I’ve decided for you and dismissed Mr. Cress. He would be leaving to Epea by taking the flight this afternoon and won’t come back anymore in the future.”
Before I could come to my senses at the sudden news, Summer sprang up in a panic. With a flustered look, she stood rooted to the spot in a dilemma.
She was able to remain expressionless when the police stormed into the club before, yet, at Anthony’s announcement, she frowned with her emotions written all over her face.
A few seconds later, Summer finally noticed Anthony’s stare at her. The moment her eyes met with his, surprise gleamed across her eyes. Only after that did she attempt to control her emotions subconsciously.
Eventually, after a great effort, she managed to revert to her calm, obedient self.
However, it was futile. When she tried to find an excuse to slip away, she accidentally exposed her real inner thought once again.
“Daddy, I just remembered that I’ve something important that needs to be settled today in Wenville, so I want to leave first. Can I?”
Summer was bold and honest as she said that. However, she instantly deflated upon meeting Anthony’s sharp and intelligent eyes after she ended her words.
Even I was scared by his look. Thinking that there was a misunderstanding between them, I immediately stood up and held his arm to get the situation in control. “Please, speak properly. Don’t scare the child.”
Yet, he seemed to not hear what I said. Instead, his eyes were glued on Summer the entire time as though he planned to see through her cover.
As the time ticked by, Summer finally admitted defeat. Looking dejected, she lowered her head.
“When did you know about it?” Anthony asked coldly.
“What?” I was perplexed and was still clueless after shifting my gaze from Summer to him.
Summer, on the other hand, drooped her head lower as she attempted to change the topic. “What do you mean? Are we done visiting all the deceased? If so, I want to go back first. After what had happened to the club yesterday, I don’t want an accident to also occur in Wenville, so can you let me off?”
“Up to this point, are you sure you want to keep being obstinate?” However, Anthony was persistent and didn’t plan to drop the matter at ease.
Even though I felt that he was being too overbearing, I couldn’t help but notice something was off. Thus, I chose to stand aside to see what Anthony planned to do next.
Nonetheless, Summer knew how I could sway Anthony’s decision at ease. Therefore, when she failed to persuade him, she changed her target to me.
“Mommy, both Wenville and the club are my businesses. I believe that you’ll support me, right?”
“Of course.” Without hesitation, I nodded in agreement. When I snapped back to my senses in the next second, I paused briefly before adding, “But your dad isn’t an unreasonable person. Judging from his serious look, he might really have something he needs to discuss with you. Although your businesses are important, your family should be your priority. So, why don’t you listen to what he plans to say first?”
Hearing that, Summer knitted her brows further, knowing that we wouldn’t change our minds at that point.
I felt sorry upon taking in how distressed she was. Hence, I urged Anthony to quickly ask his questions to spare her from this awkward situation, “You always stop speaking halfway recently. Summer might be independent, but she’s still not an adult yet. Don’t treat her the same as you treat your business partner. It’s quite a hassle to guess your words, so why don’t you be straightforward and spit it out already?”
He seemed to be considering my advice as he narrowed his eyes.
Sadly, he decided to dismiss my words after a moment of consideration. When he once again opened his mouth, his voice still sounded cold.
While pointing at Macy’s tombstone, he inquired, “Do you really not recognize the person lying there?”
At that, Summer’s expression turned even bitter. The silence went on for a few more seconds before she suddenly bowed at us. “I’m sorry, Daddy and Mommy. I’ll need to return to K City now.”
With that said, she turned around and left. Her footsteps grew faster as she walked farther and farther away from us.
Just before she started to run, Anthony suddenly raised his voice, yelling, “Jared Crest doesn’t plan to leave! No one is going to leave!”
As soon as his remarks ended, Summer halted in her tracks but refused to turn around.
Anthony took in a deep breath. Next, with a hint of helplessness, his attractive voice sounded in the quiet cemetery. “Just because Sienna isn’t your biological mother, no matter how good she does, you always keep your distance. Yet, when it comes to him, you lose your composure the moment you know that he’s going to leave you. Summer Stanhope, do you really feel no guilt at all?”
Worried that he would reveal the incident years ago, I quickly tugged at him with a disapproving look. “Anthony Featherstone! Do you know what you’re saying now?”
After saying that, my mind went blank for two seconds before the realization hit me hard. Dumbfoundedly, I turned to look at Summer, asking, “Y-You knew?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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