Chapter 21
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For the past few days, Gavin had been resting at home, and Cecilia hadn’t visited him even once. Gavin couldn’t understand why Cecilia, despite clearly being worried about him, hadn’t come to see him.
During this time, all the documents that needed to be processed were delivered by Stella.
One evening, after taking a shower and wearing his bathrobe, Gavin came downstairs.
Stella quietly watched him, her eyes lingering on the exposed skin at his collarbone, her gaze suggestive. “Mr. Foster, these are the documents that need your signature.”
Stella looked at his depressed expression and took the initiative to please him, “Mr. Foster, have you had dinner? I know your stomach’s not feeling great. My cooking is very good, whatever you want to eat, I can make it for you.”
Stella moved a little closer to him, hoping for a chance to get even closer.
Gavin glanced toward the kitchen. He was about to refuse but paused and then changed his mind. “I’d like some croissants.”
“Alright, I’ll make them right now,” Stella said eagerly, taking the opportunity to impress him. After all, coming from a humble background, she was proud of her cooking skills.
When a plate of freshly baked croissants was placed in front of Gavin, he stared at them for a while before taking a bite.
“Mr. Foster, is it good?” Stella asked expectantly.
Gavin didn’t answer right away. He wasn’t sure what was going through his mind, but he felt a deep sense of emptiness. It wasn’t the same. It wasn’t Cecilia’s cooking.
Seeing him frown, Stella didn’t know what he was dissatisfied with. “Mr. Foster, do you have a headache? Would you like me to give you a massage?” But before her hands could even touch him, he gently rejected her.
“Stella, please go back for now,” Gavin said calmly.
“Okay,” Stella replied, reluctantly leaving. She glanced back at the villa, determined that she would one day become the lady
of the house.
Gavin returned to his empty bedroom, feeling uncomfortable no matter what he did.
In the middle of the night, Gavin finally couldn’t resist. He grabbed his car keys and headed for the door.
Just as he reached the threshold, his phone beeped. It was an email with a booking confirmation. Gavin’s mood lifted instantly.
‘Cecilia intentionally sent me the booking information. She clearly wants me to follow her and apologize. I knew it. After 18 years of being together, she will never leave my side. With that thought, Gavin booked a ticket for the same train that Cecilia
was on.
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Chapter 21
The next day, Cecilia took a two–hour train ride from Kingsford back to Silkridge. Life in the small town was slower compared to the city.
What stood out most to her were the memories from her childhood when her parents would bring her and her younger brother back to visit.
Even though many people were no longer here, they still held a very important place in her heart.
This time, Cecilia didn’t call ahead. When she suddenly appeared at home, Lily, who had been watching a drama, jumped up in excitement. “Cecilia, why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? I’ll go buy some groceries right now.”
“Because I missed you, Mom,” Cecilia said, acting like a child, as she often did when with her mother. “Let’s go visit Dad.”
Lily nodded with a sentimental smile.
At the cemetery, Cecilia put down the flowers she had brought and gently wiped the photo of her father on the gravestone.
“Dad, I have good news to share. I’ve opened a design studio. Do you remember Professor Collins? I’m learning from her
now.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be a great designer, and one day, everyone will know that I’m your daughter.” Cecilia’s voice wavered slightly as she spoke.
Lily lovingly touched her hair. “Cecilia, whatever you decide to do, Mom will always support you.”
Lily hadn’t asked about the changes in Cecilia over the past few months. Cecilia had always been independent, with clear plans for her future, and Lily had never worried about her. All Lily could do was shower her with love and care.
After just half a day at home, Cecilia was already basking in the warmth of family life. “Mom, I used to have a box where I kept my treasured things. When we moved, I never got around to organizing it. Do you remember where it is?”
“I remember you cried and said you didn’t want it anymore, but I kept it for you,” Lily said as she pulled out a clean box from the bedroom closet. It was clear she had kept it tidy.
“Thank you, Mom.” Cecilia sat on the sofa, opening the box. Inside were her old jewelry design sketches.
“My inspiration was really great. These designs don’t seem outdated at all. I remember I showed these to Dad and proudly said I would become the chief designer of our family.
“I was so confident, saying my works would definitely sell the best.” Cecilia laughed at the memory, but then her voice caught in her throat.
She didn’t want her mother, who was washing fruit in the kitchen, to notice, so she took a deep breath and steadied herself.
“Back then, when Uncle George took over the Jordan family’s affairs, all of Dad’s works, including my first sculpture, were
sold off.
“Now, the company even changed its name, erasing any trace of Dad and the Jordan family’s legacy in the jewelry industry,” Cecilia sighed.
Mentioning George made Lily’s expression change as well. “They’ve become a wealthy family and no longer want anything to do with us, not even answering our calls,” Lily said.
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Chapter 21
“All the old things belonging to our family, I’m going to get them back, Cecilia said, her eyes burning with anger.
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At 5 p.m., Cecilia changed her clothes and went out. “Mom, I’m going to pick up Luke from school and give him a surprise.” The school gates were crowded with unfamiliar young faces, but Cecilia didn’t spot her brother, Luke Jordan. Growing increasingly anxious, she ran to the security office and confirmed that all the classes had already let out.
Cecilia hurriedly called him, but the phone kept ringing without anyone answering.
“Why isn’t Luke answering the phone?” Just as Cecilia was about to go find his teacher, she suddenly received a message from Luke.
Luke texted: [Cecilia, I’m at the Lullaby Bistro. Hurry up and come.]
Seeing the message, Cecilia thought Luke might be in danger, so she rushed over.
When the Jordan family went bankrupt, they lost everything. The car accident that took their father’s life also left Luke unable to walk.
That was why Lily had brought Luke back here and had him take a year off from school to recover.
At that time, Cecilia was working as a secretary at Foster Group and was always busy and exhausted. Still, she would come back to visit every month, and only after Luke was well enough to return to school did she settle in Kingsford.
Her mother and brother were her greatest soft spot.
But when Cecilia walked through the door of the restaurant, the sight in front of her left her stunned and confused. The entrance was adorned with a arch made of hydrangeas. Looking inside, there was a sea of pink and blue flowers, and heart–shaped balloons hung on either side of a red carpet.
The restaurant staff were all holding banners that read love messages, smiling at her.
Cecilia had run over, her breath coming in quick, uneven gasps. Suddenly, she realized that she had been tricked.
At that moment, a piano piece began to play, and Gavin, dressed in a suit, slowly walked toward her.
