Millie’s driving was fast and steady. Adding to the fact that we missed the evening rush hour, the trip that would usually take half an hour was shortened to just twenty minutes.
I waited anxiously after ringing the doorbell, but no one answered the door.
Don’t tell me they didn’t even show a woman and kids any mercy?
Unwilling to give up, I held my finger on the doorbell. The noise was so great that all the lights along the entire corridor lit up. Only then did a woman’s soft voice drift out from within, asking, “Who’s there?”
The rock that had been weighing on my chest finally lifted. Breathing a sigh of relief, I promptly inched closer and replied, “Are you Savannah Sullivan? I’m Sienna Stanhope. I suppose I can be considered Joseph’s superior. Do you mind opening the door?”
No sooner had my words fallen than the door opened from within, revealing a woman’s delicate face.
Savannah was wearing loose pajamas, and her hair was pulled back loosely in a ponytail with an elastic band, leaving long bangs falling down her forehead. She was tall yet slim, and her features were exquisite. On the whole, she was the type of person one would take a liking to at first sight. But perhaps because it was night, she looked rather pale.
Nonetheless, she still had a resemblance with Joseph that identified them as husband and wife at a single glance.
It seemed as though she wasn’t at all surprised by my appearance. She politely inclined her head with a smile in greeting. “Joseph often speaks of you, saying that you’re very nice to him, Mrs. Featherstone.”
If I were really all that nice to him, it would be the two of them standing at the door, greeting me right now.
Flashing her an awkward smile, I pretended as though I knew nothing about the incident that happened that afternoon. I cast my gaze beyond her and peered into the living room, inquiring, “Are the children asleep?”
Savannah wore a smile on her face. “Yes. They’re tired from playing today, so they went to bed very early.”
At that point, she belatedly opened the door all the way and stepped aside, warmly inviting us in. “Look at my bad manners. I should’ve invited you all into the house first. Please come in and have a seat, Mrs. Featherstone.”
Since my purpose was to make sure that they were safe in the first place, I didn’t want to keep them up late at night now that I had checked on them. Thus, I simply made up an excuse. “No, it’s okay. I just happened to be in the vicinity and remembered that Mr. Campbell has done a lot for the Featherstone family, so I dropped by to see whether there’s anything I can help with.”
Savannah was a little more awake right then, and her smile turned even gentler. “You’re too kind, Mrs. Featherstone. The high pay Mr. Featherstone gives Joseph is enough for us to resolve all troubles and live a good life. We’re very thankful, so how would we dare trouble you further?”
Her voice, gaze, and even gestures were sincere, giving others a refreshing feeling. My mind couldn’t help drifting back to the woman’s panicked yet restrained voice in Joseph’s phone that afternoon. Are they really the same person? Putting it another way, can a housewife who has just experienced having men with malicious intentions barging into her house truly act as though nothing has happened in such a short time?
I had no answer to that. While my brows uncontrollably knitted together, I knew deep within that it was a good thing Joseph’s wife was even more resilient than I expected, no matter the reason.
Flashing her a gratified gaze in return, I stepped forward and hugged her. “Men are always so ambitious that they leave us waiting. How selfish of them! But everything will be fine. After this busy period, I’ll give Joseph a long holiday so that he can spend more time with you and the children.”
I patted her on her delicate back though I myself was uncertain whether I was consoling her or myself.
Savannah probably never expected someone she was meeting for the first time to act so intimately, for she reflexively stiffened. When she had ascertained that I had no malicious intentions, she again relaxed.
A hug was undoubtedly an incredible thing, for I felt much more at peace after smelling the faint scent of shampoo wafting off her.
Just when I was about to drop my hands, she hugged me back in return, reaching out to pat me on the back stiffly. “Well, there’s no end to doing business. I appreciate your kindness, but there’s no choice sometimes, Mrs. Featherstone. His sense of responsibility is also his charm. I love him, so I naturally love everything about him. Don’t worry. I won’t drag him down, Mrs. Featherstone. He said that he’d make it up to me. Thus, I’ll continue to trust in him and wait. I’ll take good care of this family and myself on his behalf.”
After she had finished speaking, they dropped their hands from each other in unison.
With my eyes narrowed a fraction, I questioned tentatively, “Are you not worried?”
Hearing that, Savannah burst into laughter as though I had cracked a hilarious joke. “Why should I be worried?” she asked me in return.
Pausing for a moment, she continued, “I know the kind of person Joseph is, and I believe in him. Most importantly, I believe in my judgment. I wouldn’t have chosen the wrong person.”
She’s right. What is there to be worried about? And what uncertainties are there? Anthony is a man I chose myself, so how could someone else know him better than I do?
“I should have come and visited you earlier.” Enlightenment swept across me, banishing the uncertainties and doubts I had toward Anthony.
Ten years of loving each other are more than enough to defy human’s innate apprehension. Anthony and Joseph are at the same hurdle in life. Maybe he needs a longer time to resolve the problem, but I must let him know that I’ll be there no matter when he comes back.
“Not at all. It’s neither early nor late. Everything is destined, so it’s just the right time.” Savannah wore a tender expression as though every problem would be resolved.
Pursing my lips, I nodded. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with her, I whirled around and entered the elevator with Emery.
Savannah saw me off from her door, her countenance only disappearing from my line of sight when the elevator doors closed.
As the elevator descended, I felt as though a weight was lifted off me as something within me received an attestation.
It was already one o’clock in the morning when I returned home. In order to stop dwelling upon things too much, I decided to sleep the moment my head hit the pillow. But when I walked past the corridor, I noticed that the light in the study was lit.
Could it be that Anthony came back?
I entered the study with questions lingering in my mind. Pushing open the door and sweeping a gaze around, I spotted Shaun in the room.
He was sitting in front of Anthony’s computer, and I almost didn’t see his petite body because of the angle.
When he heard the door opening, he immediately got down from the chair. Standing at the side, he greeted deferentially, “Mrs. Featherstone.”
Joseph previously found out that Nora had contact with him. Now that we’re in a weak position, it’s indeed the best time to steal information so as to curry favor with her. Everyone makes their own choices, so it doesn’t really matter. A child who has been drifting about merely wants someone he can depend on for eternity.
“Why are you still not in bed at this hour?” I didn’t ask about his motive directly. As I spoke, I walked over to the desk and picked up the open document on it, scanning it casually.
It was Featherstone Corporation’s list of projects in recent years. It was publicly available, so it was no big secret.
“I’m not sleepy yet. The faster I learn to do business, the sooner I can help Mr. Featherstone out. Then Summer won’t be sad that she can’t see him every day.”
Shaun’s answer wasn’t what I expected. I shifted my gaze to him, but his face was solemn, and he didn’t look as though he was lying.
A wealth of warmth suffused me, and a smile blossomed on my face out of the blue. I was happy on Summer’s behalf that she had such a thoughtful and considerate brother.
Good things really do come at a turning point in time. Does this also mean that everything about Anthony will also soon usher in a change?
“That’s a matter for the adults. You’re still young, so you merely need to study hard and grow up healthily. Audrey has feelings of sorrow, and you can have your own feelings as well. You don’t need to live for any of us. Do you understand me?”
I then patted him on the shoulder in gratification. Although I was moved, I still had to guide him on the right path.
Shaun pursed his lips tightly without saying anything in response, so I wasn’t sure whether I got through to him.
Ah, it doesn’t matter. There’s still plenty of time, so there’ll certainly be time to teach him slowly in the future. He’s a boy, so I’ll wait for Anthony to come back and call the shots. ”Anyway, just do whatever you want to do in the future. You don’t need to deliberately please anyone. Most importantly, make sure that you’re happy. Got it?”
“But I want to do this. I want to make Summer happy. Can I not do that, Mrs. Featherstone?” Shaun gazed at me stubbornly.
Faced with such an innocent question, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed.
Perhaps I’m really too sensitive. He’s just a child who knows how to be grateful, so I truly shouldn’t use the yardstick of the adult world to evaluate his every action. A child’s world is pure and without ulterior motives. They don’t know what it means to pander to someone. They only know who is good to them, repaying the person in the same manner. He only wants the girl who gave him a family to be happy. There’s nothing wrong with that.
“Of course you can.” Smiling, I shook my head and put the document in my hand back on the desk. Then I ruffled his hair. “You can continue reading if you want to do so, but promise me that you’ll go to bed right away if you feel sleepy. Also, you can’t stay up later than three o’clock in the morning. Can you do that?”
In a rare moment, a trace of delight crept onto his features. He nodded firmly. “Yes.”
After saying that, he sat back down and continued reading the documents. His serious mien rendered him very much like an adult.
I silently walked over to the door. Glancing back over my shoulder, I sighed helplessly.
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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