Kayleneâs words seemed to have evoked Bethanyâs sadness. She paused, âHank was indeed a good child. Whenever we celebrated his birthday, he would always give me the first piece of cake and he would say that the birthday of a child is a day of suffering for the mother. Back then, he had always said that he would make it up to me once he grows up but who knew that heâ¦â
Bethany was visibly saddened when she spoke of this. Her fingers paused and she wiped the corner of her eyes.
âForget it, letâs not talk about it anymore.â
Kaylene dared not say anything else when she realized that Bethany was upset. She said hurriedly, âShall I take you back for a rest?â
âNo, you should head back first. Iâll stay here for a little while more!â
Kaylene turned around and left. She immediately frowned after closing the door behind her. She glanced in the direction where Eudora was staying at and then walked back to her own room.
There were several small buildings in the Granger familyâs mansion. The Old Master and Bethany were living in the main building which was situated in the absolute center in the mansion. Meanwhile, Amos and Eudora were staying in a small red building next to the main building.
Harry and Kaylene lived a little further away. They were staying in a villa behind the main building with a garden in between.
At this moment, Harry was drinking some tea. When he saw Kaylene, he asked without looking at her, âHow was it?â
Kayleneâs face was dark, âBethany has gone senile. Sheâs very close to Eudora now. She was chatting with her in front of Hankâs memorial tablet when I was there just now.â
Harry frowned but he soon said, âHasnât my sister-in-law always been like this? Otherwise, Hank wouldnât have died when he was so young. She doesnât even take the duty of a mother seriously. Who would care about her child?!â
âWhat should we do then? I heard from the servants that the Old Master had already promised Amos that he will let Eudora and Juju stay here. If they continue to get along, it will only be a matter of time before they get married. Then, whatâs the point of us living in humiliation for so many years?â
Harryâs fingers paused slightly, âDid my brother really agree to let that woman live with us?â
âYes! Amos has already gone to the company to deal with some affairs.â
Harry was a little nervous, âI thought that my brother hated that woman.â
âWho knows? I told you that she is not as simple as she looks. Now, both the father and the son are fascinated by her.â
âNonsense. Why would my brother like her?â
âSo what if he doesnât like her? His time is limited. Wouldnât everything belong to Amos once he dies?â
âImpossible!â Harry spoke through gritted teeth, âThis brat humiliated me back then and I havenât settled anything with him yet! I have been listening to my brother all these years and havenât done anything. I even let my brother send Steven overseas. Now, itâs obvious that my brother is going to leave everything to that brat. My brother shouldnât blame me for being ungrateful then!â
He then suddenly asked, âIs Bethany still in Hankâs place?â
âYes!â
âShe is heartbroken because she doesnât have any children left. Hank did not leave anyone behind either. However, if she still had someone to rely on in this world, things might be different!â
Kaylene was taken aback, âYou meanâ¦â
Harry smiled and said, âYouâd better find some time to talk to Bethany later. Iâll talk to my brother. Itâs Hankâs death anniversary tomorrow. How could we do nothing?â
âOkay!â
â¦
Old Master Granger sat in his study after coming back from the garden. He had been holding the corner of an album in a daze since he returned.
In the album, there was a little boy who looked very similar to Amos. There were photos of him in every corner of the Granger mansion. However, the father was nowhere to be seen in the photos.
Old Master Granger sighed. In truth, he knew that he had failed as a father, be it for Amos or Hank.
Hank Granger was the product of his fatherâs coercion. Old Master Granger had always been repulsed by the mother and son, and he had never treated them well.
Fortunately, Hank was a good child. He had always been filial and gentle. Bethany was the same. She had always been like this even though she was a noblewoman from a rich family.
After Hank left, their relationship gradually improved.
At this moment, someone knocked on the door and Harryâs voice came from outside. âBrother, are you there?â
Old Master Granger came back to his senses and sighed. âYes, come in.â
Harry opened the door and entered with a chess set. âBrother, Steven just sent this from abroad. He said that he has to give this to his uncle, so I brought it over for you.â
Old Master Grangerâs expression softened a little, âThis child is really thoughtful. He has been abroad for a few years now. How is he?â
âHeâs alright!â Harry continued, âHe has learned a lot and he even got a scholarship last year! He should be coming back soon!â
âNot bad. You should ask to come home soon then!â
Harry nodded, stealing a glance at Old Master Grangerâs album. âAre you missing Hank?â
Old Master Granger pursed his lips but did not reply.
Harry added, âIt has been eight years now. If Hank was still alive, his child must have been grown up by now, right? Hank has been well-behaved ever since he was a child and he has always respected his elders. What a pity.â
Old Master Grangerâs face darkened. Harry noticed the change in his expression, and he immediately pretended as if he had said something wrong. He said apologetically, âIâm sorry. Iâve made you sad again!â
Old Master Granger was still quiet. He closed the album and stowed it away in his drawer.
Harry spoke again, âBrother, itâs Hankâs death anniversary tomorrow. Why donât we climb up the mountain and pray for him? I heard from Kaylene that Bethany has been staying at Hankâs altar for the entire afternoon. Bethany cares about you, so she did not say anything but in her heart, she still hoped that you could do something for Hank!â
The old manâs face changed slightly, âDid Bethany really stay there for the whole day?â
âOf course! Itâs not easy for Bethany too.â
The Old Master nodded, âYouâre right. Indeed, itâs not easy for her.â After that, he turned to call his assistant, âGo to the shrine and make the necessary preparations.â
The assistant then left with the orders. Old Master Granger said, âIâm going to see your sister-in-law.â
âOkay! Brother, let me push you there.â
â¦
On the other hand, the servants had arranged a room for Eudora not long after she returned to her room. It was still in the same building, but the new arrangement was that Jujuâs room would be between hers and Amosâ.
Eudora did not mind. After all, she had decided to face all the hardships together with Amos. Therefore, she could just follow his pace.
When Juju was taking a nap, Eudora took the opportunity to send her resume online. She wanted a job that allowed her to design and work from home.
This way, she could always take care of Juju.
However, she did not expect that so many people would contact her from her resume. She filtered through them for the whole afternoon.
It was not until she was in the arms of a familiar man that she realized that Amos had come home.