When Madeline arrived, it was already 11 PM. As she got out of the car at the doorstep, she noticed the lights were still on inside the house. It was quiet, with no sound of talking. She hurriedly got out of the car, shivering as the cold wind wrapped around her.
Suddenly, a warm, plush scarf was draped around her neck. She turned to see Eugene standing behind her. “Is it cold? It might snow tomorrow
morning,”
The South was different from Japriam, where it shows early in winter, and the harsh cold had long set in. In the South, it didn’t snow every year, sometimes only once every two or three years. However, the chill was still quite biting
“Conside quickly. I’ll carry the luggage,” Eugene said, gently touching her cold cheeks. “Weren’t you worried about Grandpa and Grandma! Go check on them quickly”
Madeline nodded and jogged inside. When she reached the door of her grandparents‘ room, it was slightly ajar, and she could hear the sound of laughter coming from inside.
Madeline was a bit surprised and quickly pushed open the door. A man dressed in white was sitting with his back to her on a stool, wearing a wool sweater and black pants. His hair, illuminated by the light, looked exceptionally striking, like flowing moonlight that added a layer of hazy and mysterious glow around him.
Blobby turned his head, showing no surprise, and greeted her with a gentle smile. His refined, handsome face was warm and kind. The bright light Muminated his features, like snow on a high mountain, clean and serene. His eyebrows seemed to shimmer with a gentle luster, and beneath his high brow bones, his eyes sparkled like stars. “I figured you’d be back around this time, so I was waiting with Grandpa and Grandma for you”
“You must be cold, right! I specifically prepared some hot water for you. Come over and have a cup to warm up,” he said, glancing at the empty hallway behind her. “Where’s Eugene?”
“Bobby” Madeline finally reacted. “Why are you here? How long have you been here?”
“I got here this afternoon, Bobby said.
Madeline nodded. Just as she was about to say that Eugene was behind her, he came in, carrying the luggage. His vibrant and confident face showed a hint of curiosity, “Grandpa, Grandma, you’re sull up so late. His voice trailed off as he caught sight of Bobby sitting calmly. “I didn’t expect you to be here too, Bobby.”
“You arrived so early. Did you fly!” Eugene asked.
Robby nodded casually, “Yes, I did”
Eugene’s smile faded briefly but quickly returned to his usual calm demeanor. With a faint smile, he said, “Til go put the luggage away first, then I come back to greet Grandpa and Grandma
His eyes glinted with a sharp, assessing look, like a fox sizing up a rival. “Bobby, mind showing me around!”
Bobby didn’t mind at all. He stood up and said, “Grandpa, Grandma, I’ll step out for a bit
“You haven’t seen Madeline in a while. Take some time to chat with her alone” Bobby said thoughtfully, closing the door behind him as he left.
The hallway dimmed instantly, and Eugene’s smile vanished as if he had never been the cheerful person he appeared to be. His expression turned cold, and he seemed distant, like someone who rarely smiled. He picked up the suitcase and turned to walk inside.
Bobby sighed helplessly. “You’re going the wrong way.
“It’s over here:
This house has been rebuilt by Caleb and the others, but it’s still considerately. “If you mind, I can sleep on the floor.”
not big enough. Tonight, I’m afraid you’ll have to share a bed with me.” Bobby said
Eugene pressed his lips together and smirked. The slept in even worse conditions. It doesn’t bother me.
“Besides, you’re the most refined and dignified among us.
wouldn’t mind sharing a bed with you?
Bobby lowered his head, letting out a soft chuckle, “Well, sharing a room with the most charming of us, I’d say I’m not losing out either,”
Eugene looked at him, puzzled. You weren’t this playful before. Weren’t you always the
e serious type?”
Hobby stared back an Eugene, equally confused
Inside the mom, Muletine glanced at
at her grandparents, finally letting out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you’re both okay.
Chapter 314
“The Larsons are like faxes visiting the henhouse. They never come with good intentions
“The moment I heard they came, I rushed back. They haven’t caused any trouble, have they?”
Helena smiled, holding Madeline’s hand. “They’re just here to help out. I think they might be trying to mend things with you.
“They’ve done a good job fixing up the house inside and out. I can’t lie about that.
“These new quilts are so warm Jacob bought them. He replaced all the old bedding in the house.”
Frank, however, snorted in disapproval. Though he had been cordial with the Larsons during the day, he wasn’t genuinely welcoming of them. ‘Madeline suffered so much because of them. Do you think these small gestures can make it all right?”
Helena thought for a moment and realized Frank had a point. She knew that Madeline had gone through difficult times with the Larson family, so she didn’t want to say too much. After all, Madeline was grown now and had her own mind. “Well, they’re still around, so you’ll see them in the morning.
“How you choose to deal with them is entirely up to you
“No matter what you decide, I will always side with you.”
Madeline shook her head with a smile. “I don’t need to decide anything. My stance has never changed. I have nothing to do with them.
“I was no longer a member of that family for a long time, and when I was at the reservoir. I cut all ties with them.
“No matter what they do to make themselves feel better. I won’t care.”
Madeline still remembered how she had once died in her past life. On the day they heard the news of her death, were they happy Did they feel even a moment of pity? If she were to repeat the same mistakes, it would be a betrayal of the second chance that fate had graciously given her. It would be a betrayal of her renewed life. That was why she would never forgive them. Madeline remained calm yet resolute.
Frank nodded approvingly. That’s my girl Madeline Madeline was tough, smart, and never followed the crowd. He knew back then she was destined for great things.
In the past, they tried to take away your chance to study. They were trying to steal your future.
T’s right not to be soft–hearted. For your own good, you s
a shouldn’t have anything to do with people like them, Frank said.
He had always lived an honest and straightforward life. When he learned from Mary about what the Larson family had done, he was so furious that he couldn’t sleep for three nights. He wouldn’t go around scolding the Larsons, but he certainly wasn’t naive enough to believe they were good prople.
Helena sighed, then suddenly shifted the conversation. “Madeline, I thought Ben was the one you brought home for Christmas. After all, though you two are like siblings, you’re not related by blood.
1 was even thinking that if you two get married, I could finally put my mind at ease!
Helena pulled Madeline closer. lowering her voice. “But why did you bring another man home for Christmas? Which one do you
“Let me tell you, you can only choose one. Don’t waver between two good men. It’s not good to be indecisive like that.”
Madeline couldn’t help but rub her forehead. “Grandma, what are you thinking?
What am I thinking Helena immediately widened her eyes “Of course, I’m thinking about my future grandson–in–law”
even
you really like?