Chapter 8
On Friday after school, Simone told the Irwin family’s driver not to pick her up. Instead, she bought a few things and took a ride to a secluded villa in Capitalton.
The villa was tucked away in a quiet forest on the outskirts, with tight security that added to its mysterious vibe. The guards nodded respectfully as Simone arrived. “Welcome back. Please come in,” one of them said.
Simone nodded politely and walked inside. With each step, her heart grew heavier. She wasn’t sure how to face Jerome Bennett. If it weren’t for him saving her in Ameritopia and treating her like his own granddaughter, she wouldn’t be who she was today.
In her past life, she had given everything to the Spence family and completely neglected Jerome. In the end, he even ended up with a tarnished reputation, all because of her. ‘For someone as proud as he was, it must’ve been incredibly painful, she thought.
Standing in front of the villa, Simone clenched her hands tightly as hesitation took hold. Just as she was about to step back, the door
swung open.
August, the butler, noticed her and quickly led her in. “You’re back. After knowing you were coming, Mr. Bennett has been waiting in the living room since early this morning.”
Simone’s heart warmed as she made her way to the living room. As soon as she walked in, she saw the upright figure on the couch. He flinched visibly when he saw her.
Jerome wore a stern expression and snorted, turning his head away. Simone could tell he was upset, so she walked over, sat beside him, and said softly, “Grandpa.”
Jerome ignored her, but Simone wasn’t discouraged. She leaned closer with a grin and said, “Grumpy old man?”
“Watch your manners,” Jerome said sternly, keeping his serious expression. “I’m not your grandpa. I’m just an old man living alone.”
Simone’s eyes turned red as she sat closer and wrapped her arms around Jerome. She pouted and said sweetly, “What lonely old man? You’re my favorite grandpa.” She always knew how to cheer him up.
August watched them for a moment, finding it amusing. Despite his age, Jerome still acted like a kid sometimes. It was nothing new- scenes like that had happened all the time abroad, and August had grown used to it.
Jerome kept his composure at first, but when he turned and saw Simone’s red, tear–filled eyes, he lost it. He stomped his foot in fury and overturned the fruit bowl on the table. Fruit tumbled to the floor, the loud clattering echoing throughout the room.
Jerome was furious. “Sweetheart, did those jerks from the Spence family bully you?” he demanded. “I’m going to make sure they regret
it.”
He pulled out his phone, ready to make a call. Simone had always been a bit unruly around him, and he’d never seen her so sad before. His anger instantly dissipated.
Simone quickly grabbed Jerome’s arm, stopping him just in time. After a long moment, she finally said in a soft, timid voice, “Grandpa, I just missed you.” As she spoke, she buried her head into Jerome’s chest.
“If you missed me so much, why didn’t you come see me earlier?” Jerome asked and snorted, pretending to be angry once again.
“I was wrong, okay? Look, I’m here now, aren’t I? From now on, I promise I’ll visit you often,” Simone chuckled at his reaction and immediately raised her hand to make a solemn promise.
“Really?” Jerome asked, his eyes lighting up. He had no children of his own; his whole life was dedicated to his career. For him, Simone was like his true and beloved granddaughter, and her promise filled him with joy.
“Of course,” Simone replied with a firm nod.
Jerome adored Simone so much that no matter how fiery his temper was, she could always get him to calm down. “What kind of trouble have you run into out there? Tell me, and I will fix it for you.”
This time, Simone came back without her usual backtalk, and Jerome knew she must have faced some difficulties outside. When he thought of the Spence family, his expression darkened. “Was it Norah and her daughter who bullied you again?”
Although Jerome lived in Capitalton, he had people keep an eye on the Spence family back in Sogin, so he knew some of their affairs. Even though Simone never mentioned the Spence family to him, he was well aware that they had treated her terribly.
Chapter
Feeling the warmth of Jerome’s concern, Simone felt comforted. She decided not to hide it from him and directly told him about cutting ties with the Spence family.
“What? That little brat Samuel dared to treat you like this? I’ll skin him alive.” Jerome shot up from his chair, looking for something to throw. Seeing there was nothing left on the table, Simone quickly stopped him.
She lightly patted Jerome’s back, worried he might get too upset. “Grandpa, please don’t get mad. I’ve already left the Spence family, and guess what? I’ve found my real dad.”
Hearing the first part of her words, Jerome breathed a sigh of relief. “Leaving them was the right decision. That group of fools in the Spence family isn’t worth your concern.”
However, recalling the next part made him immediately alert. “Your real dad?”
Simone nodded. “Yeah, he’s Cyrus Irwin.”
Jerome gently rubbed Simone’s head, his expression becoming a bit more serious. “Sweetheart, if the Irwin family ever mistreats you, remember, you can always come home. I’ll always be your support, and wherever I am, you’ll always have a home.”
Jerome didn’t try to persuade Simone to stay with him. He knew her well; she had always made her own decisions. Over the years, she had been deeply hurt by Samuel. No one understood better than Jerome just how much she craved love.
Now, even though she had found her real dad, Jerome still couldn’t help worrying. He just hoped that the Irwin family wouldn’t hurt her feelings like the Spence family had.
“Grandpa, thank you.” With tears in her eyes, Simone threw herself into Jerome’s arms. She knew just how stubborn Jerome was and how much he wanted her to stay by his side.
She also knew the only reason he agreed to let her stay in Sogin was because he knew he had no way of changing her mind.
The two of them seldom met, so Simone didn’t have the heart to disappoint Jerome. She decided to stay the night and called Matthew ahead of time.
A short while later, her phone buzzed with a call from an unfamiliar number. She glanced at it and declined the call without hesitation. The same number called again shortly after. This time, Simone answered. “Where have you been?” a man asked, his voice calm yet tinged with a barely noticeable hint of nervousness.
Simone recognized Cyrus’s voice and froze for a moment. She wondered, ‘How did he know my number? Is he worried about me?‘
‘No, probably not. Simone quickly dismissed the thought. After a moment of silence, she finally said, “I have something to do tonight, so I won’t be back.”
After thinking for a moment, she added, “I’ve already told Matthew in advance.” In the end, she still didn’t answer Cyrus’s question. On the other side, the empty villa felt unusually quiet. Cyrus sat on the couch, feeling strangely uneasy.
For the past week, every day when he came home, he would either see Simone curled up on the couch watching TV in the living room or notice the lights on in her room upstairs.
But tonight, for the first time in days, he came back to a pitch–black, silent house. It felt unexpectedly hard to bear, so he made the call.
Hearing that Simone was avoiding his question, Cyrus couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. And there was a small hint of worry that even he hadn’t noticed himself.
When Simone didn’t hear anything from Cyrus for a moment, she was about to hang up when he suddenly asked, “When will you be back?”
“Tomorrow,” she replied. After that, silence hung between them for a while. Finally, Simone hung up.
She suddenly remembered her time with the Spence family. Samuel was rarely home, and even if she didn’t return for a whole week, no one would call to check on her. No one cared whether she lived or died. She had gotten used to it.
