The ride back was silent, and the atmosphere in the car felt very oppressive. Finally, they arrived home. Calla entered the foyer, changed her shoes, and headed straight to the bedroom.She had already packed her clothes and essentials the night before. With this, she could avoid rushing today. Calla thought she could take her suitcase and leave right away. But she hadn't expected anyone to check if she was taking something that didn't belong to her.Looking around the room she had lived in for so long, Calla felt sad. Then, she pulled her suitcase out of the bedroom.Calla entered the living room with her suitcase in tow. Seeing the suitcase in her hand, Jasmine called out with a look of reluctance, "Mrs. Garland, are you leaving?"The thought of parting ways with Jasmine weighed heavily on Calla's heart. After all, Jasmine had taken great care of her, otherwise she would not have recovered so quickly. "Jasmine, don't call me Mrs. Garland anymore. I'm not his wife now. Call
At that moment, Mercer’s cold gaze swept over Jasmine. Calla followed his gaze and looked at Jasmine as well. Seeing her with her head bowed, Jasmine appeared timid and shrinking. Calla suddenly understood that Jasmine had told Rose everything. Jasmine had worked for the Garland family for many years, and Rose was her true employer! Although a little annoyed, Calla realized Jasmine was only being loyal to her employer. After all, she had to listen to whoever paid her salary. In her case, it was the Garland family, so Calla let it go."Mr. Garland, I’m only a helper. When Mrs. Garland Senior asks, I have to tell the truth," Jasmine explained. She tugged at her collar, unable to bear Mercer’s stare."You can pack your things and return to Sedonia," Mercer said coldly."Yes, sir." Relieved at this outcome, Jasmine quickly went to her room to pack.Calla grabbed the handle of her suitcase and turned to leave.Sophie's eyes darted to the coffee table, noticing the bank card, diam
Mercer gazed at Calla's retreating figure with a glint of admiration in his eyes. She had evoked a different feeling within him from the moment she appeared in his life. She was tough on the outside but soft within. Straightforward and resilient, she faced setbacks with determination. She possessed qualities unlike any of the girls he'd known before.Sophie knew Mercer too well. She could see from his eyes that he admired Calla and had feelings for her. A spark of jealousy immediately rose in her heart."Mercer, someone needs to take care of your daily needs from now on. Why don't I move in to look after you?" Sophie turned and sat down beside Mercer.Mercer didn't even spare her a glance. He merely replied, "If you think that apartment is too small, I can rent you a bigger one.""Mercer, that's not what I meant." Sophie hurried to explain."I'm used to living alone," Mercer replied coldly.Hearing this, Sophie lowered her head in thought. Then, she said, "Mercer, I don't have
"Ms. Jonas has asthma?" Jasmine exclaimed in surprise.Mercer didn't answer her question. "Go get a glass of water," he instructed."Alright." Jasmine hurried to fetch the water.Sophie lay in Mercer's arms, saying pitifully, "I know I'm sick. I won't be able to get married or have children. Maybe I was a bit harsh on Calla because I couldn't control my jealousy. Mercer, please don't blame me."Seeing Sophie tormented by her illness, Mercer's tone softened. "Don't think too much. I've already received the treatment plan from Morvenia. I'll send you there for treatment as soon as possible.""No! I don't want to go. I don't want to leave you," Sophie said, grabbing his collar."I'll go with you." Mercer finally relented."Really?" Hearing this, Sophie's eyes immediately lit up."I'll keep my word." Mercer nodded in resignation.At this moment, Jasmine returned with a glass of water. Mercer took the glass and handed it to Sophie, who obediently drank half of the water inside.Me
Hearing this, Carol was stunned, but Rudy was even more shocked."Divorce? How could you make such a big decision without telling me?" Carol was as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof."Exactly! How could you get divorced? You're giving up being the wife of a CEO. How does that benefit the family? It's not good for you either!" Rudy didn't forget to add that last part."Mom, this is my business. Of course, I can decide for myself," Calla said to Carol, ignoring Rudy.Carol was trembling with anger and suddenly slapped Calla across the face!"Mom..." This was the first time her mother hit her. She covered her face as tears welled up in her eyes.Carol scolded her through tears, "You didn't tell us when you got married, and now you don't tell us about your divorce. Do you even consider me as your mother anymore? Marriage and divorce are such big decisions, and you've decided everything on your own."Seeing this, Rudy quickly pulled Carol back and said, "Scolding her now is useless.
Nonetheless, Calla didn’t regret it. The experiences of the past year were vastly different from her life before. After all, not everyone could say they experienced what she did. At least, that was what Calla thought self-deprecatingly.As Calla was returning home that evening, she saw two figures standing in front of the old building's entrance from a distance. The slender, petite figure was a smiling Zoey, looking up with a bright and excited look in her eyes as she talked to the taller figure.Calla was stunned when she saw the tall person's face.It was Harlan!He and Zoey were chatting happily, and they seemed very casual with each other, even to the point where Harlan patted Zoey on the head at the end. Calla had thought that Zoey only had a crush on Harlan. However, things seemed to be more complicated than she thought.Could this be the beginning of a romance?As Calla stood there silently, she went unnoticed by Harlan and Zoey.After a few minutes of conversation, H
"Zoey? H-How long have you been listening?" Calla asked in surprise.She had seen Zoey go upstairs just moments ago. How could she be back downstairs already? Calla was momentarily at a loss.With tears streaming down her face, Zoey held up the change in her hand. She bitterly sobbed, "I know you've been feeling down lately and arguing with Mom a lot, so I went out to buy your favorite cream bun. I didn't expect to hear my sister telling the person I love to stay away from me!"Seeing Zoey so upset, Calla quickly stepped forward to grab her hand, trying to explain, "Zoey, let me explain..."However, Zoey, who was lost in the bliss of having a crush, refused to listen. She flung Calla's hand away and shouted, "Explain what? I never thought my sister could be so selfish. Are you worried that Harlon won't be infatuated with you anymore if he comes to like me?"Dumbfounded, Calla stared at her sister upon hearing such a ridiculous claim. "What are you talking about?""I never thought
Calla impatiently said, "Mom, that's not the point! I just don't want Zoey to start dating too early.""Zoey is already in college. What's wrong with her having a boyfriend?" Carol insisted stubbornly."Zoey should be focusing on her studies right now. She needs to rely on herself; men can't be trusted." Calla tried her best to explain.Carol sneered at that. "Haven't you been relying on yourself all these years? And yet, you don't even have a job now!"That remark hit Calla hard. She clutched her chest, saying, "Mom, even if I'm not particularly talented, haven't I been supporting you both all these years?"Calla couldn't understand why her mother and sister, who had always been close to her, were suddenly so against her. They both kept digging into her old wounds recently."So you're saying your mother is useless and can't support you?" Carol sounded hurt, her voice tinged with tears."I didn't mean that," Calla replied softly. Feeling defeated, she retreated to her room.The