Chapter 40
Sharon was startled awake. In a dazed state, she thought for a moment that she was still living with the Stanley family, and Edwin was demanding
She leapt out of bed in one motion, barely missing a fall.
It was only when she rushed to the door and saw Ethan that she remembered she had already left the Stanley family and no longer needed to open the door for Edwin and welcome him home.
She rubbed her eyes to wake herself more as Ethan has opened the door.
A dark figure stood at the door.
Sharon was initially shocked, but after a closer look, she finally made out Sophie’s face.
Sophie invited herself in and said gleefully to Ethan, in an exaggerated manner. “Hey Ethan, you u didn’t make a scene yesterday, did you?”
Ethan looked at her, not understanding
Sophie continued “Yesterday, when Sharon found out that you bought a knife, she thought you were going to do something rash. She was so frightened. Sot What did you buy the knife for?”
Before Sharon could stop her, Sophie blurted out the truth.
A visible flash of embarrassment came across Ethan’s face. He shifted uncomfortably.
“Sophie, did you need something?” Sharon hijacked her interrogation
Sophie hemmed and hawed. ‘Oh… it’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it.” It was clear she was just fishing for gossip material.
Sharon kept a steady eye on her, making Sophic flustered as she tried to figure out an excuse for coming over. She spoke to Sharon, “So. how long are you planning to stay here?”
They’re going to stay a while. Ethan answered on her behalf.
“Oh, yes, of course. A while.” Sophie looked put off by the information. She added, “Well, you’re lucky to have married into money. I’m sure you’re not used to living in a small house like this
Sharon remained silent and merely continued looking at her.
Sophie pointed to a direction away from the town. “You know, there’s a big, new hotel in the next town over, and they specialize in accommodating VIPs, like business owners or celebrities. It’s supposedly luxurious. You should take your dad there, Sharon. Let him have a taste of the high life.”
“I’m not young anymore, there’s no need. Ethan rejected the suggestion flatly.
Sharon had been wary of Sophie and had her suspicions confirmed. Sophie was worried about getting evicted from her father’s property. Ethan was a kind and even–tempered person, and she wanted to continue taking advantage of that so her family could live in a big house for free.
Sharon didn’t p
plan on getting into this so early, but with Sophie in the house, she wasn’t going to play dumb and let her continue to get away with it
Smiling at Sophie, Sharon promised, “Don’t worry, Sophie. We won’t move back to our old house. You and your family can stay as long as you
want
when she heard that. She beamed at Sharon and replied, “Rich people indeed do things differently from average folks
Sophie grinned like a foot w like us.”
“Turning to her father, Sharon asked, “Dad, does Sophile pay the rent monthly or yearly!”
“Huh?” Sophie froze.
Soplur continued. “If they pay annually, you should give e them a discount.
Sophie’s expression stiffened beyond recognition. She started to regret making the trip.
Originally, she had just wanted to get the low down on last night anel discourage them frum moving back to the old house, but now she was being asked for relit.
She didn’t give a straight answer. Instead, star made up an excuse and quickly made her way out.
In the morning after they had breakfast, Ethan led Itene to the back yard.
Chapter 40
His beloved shoemaking machine sat under an awning. Ethan took his position in front of it and turned it on. It creaked and squeaked and can
Irene was fascinated and observed every movement with wide eyes. Ethan started to work on adding soles to his shoes, and the watched quiet); only asking him some questions from time to time.
Ethan patiently answered every single one. Grandfather and granddaughter were getting along swimmingly
Sharon walked up to them and leaned against Ethan as she did when she was a child. She rested her head on his arm and felt it move as he wor
“Dad, you’ve been working all your life. Why don’t you stop?” She suggested.
For as long as she could remember, her father had sat at this machine, laboring day and night.
Yes, Grandpa Ethan. Mommy has opened a big company and she can afford to take care of all of us” Irene piped in as well.
Although shoe making seemed fun, Irene saw that Ethan had to thread a very thick needle through the sole repeatedly, and it looked incredibly tough. She worried about him too.
Ethan held Irene’s face in his hand, his lips spread in a wide smile, “Trene is only a little girl and already knows how to care for Grandpa. What a lovely person you are.”
Irene rubbed her face against Ethan’s palm, happy to be praised.
Ethan reassured her. ‘Grandpa is already used to doing this work. If I don’t use this machine ev
even for a day, it feels strange.
The shoes made by Ethan were durable and inexpensive, and have proven to be popular.
Sharon felt a mix of maternal pride and familial tenderness in her chest as she watched the exchange
I should have brought Irene back a long time ago.“The bond between them was undeniable.
Knowing that Ethan was unwilling to give up his work, Sheron did not pursue the topic and only said. “It’s okay to continue if you want, but don’t take on too many orders. And if you’re tired, you must take a break “
I know, I know.” Ethan nodded obediently like a child.
Sharon and Irene laughed in unison.
Sharon had another idea. “Dad, why don’t I buy a storefront for you, and a bigger house too? You should at least have a spacious and comfortable place to work.”
“No, 110”
no.” Ethan shook his head vigorously, “I moved here because the old place was too big. It felt empty and uncomfortable, like a waste of space,
Even after Sharon married, she still made sure that Ethan was financially sound. She had made regular deposits to Alanna’s account. But Ethan was able to support himself, so he never asked for a single cent.
Thinking about how she hasn’t been able to help her father out in any way, and even caused him to worry incessantly about her, Sharon’s eyes reddened again.
Ethan continued to share his thoughts. “Still, I have to admit, I’m genting on in years, so my eyes and legs are not like they used to be, I’m afraid I’ll be forced to stop working soon. Young people aren’t keen on doing such tedious and detailed work, to the shoe making craft will probably die out,”
Ethan was trained and skilled in traditional shoemaking methods, which was a demanding process for most people, let alone for someone of his
“Mommy, why don’t we help Grandpa find an apprentice? Irene suggested, waving her phone with her arm raised.
Sharon considered for
a moment and thought was a feasible idea.
She got to work readying the equipment for her livestream, setting it up in the yard.
Irene took out the fox masks, one for herself, and one for Sharon
“Grandpa, this one is for you” She gave the biggest one to Ethan. When they returned, ale made a point of asking her mother to custom make the
She climbed onto a chair and helped put die mask on for
Ethan happily olaliged, although lie waun’t exactly thrilled with the look.
After the three of them put on their maska, Irene inspected them carefully before giving her approval.
