Nothing serious"Do you still want to give Flora a lecture?" David's mother's words immediately silenced DavidDavid cast a complex glance at Flora. After a moment, he spoke softly, "I'll take her to meet Dad. You can have your conversation first."David's mother let out a disdainful snort but refrained from saying more. David led Rowan to the second floor of the villa.Rowan felt a bit puzzled. "Won't your father come downstairs to join the activities?" she asked.David remained silent for a while before replying, "His condition has worsened over the past two days, and the doctor recommended he stay in bed for more rest."His weariness was evident in his tone, and Rowan couldn't help but sigh, her expression tinged with sadness.The two ascended the stairs in silence. Suddenly, David spoke, "I didn't expect this to happen just now. We had already agreed on it before.""Hmm?" Rowan took a moment to grasp his reference.He shook his head nonchalantly, saying, "It's all right."Then, he
Give him a chanceDavid's father, with a contemplative pause, responded to Rowan, "Uncle, don't blame me for talking too much. David is already an adult, so why should you keep opposing it if they have to get married? Making fun of your own body is too much like child's play."David's father didn't reply directly to Rowan but changed the subject, saying, "I discovered something a few days ago."This revelation left Rowan in shock, prompting her to inquire, "What's the matter?"In response, David's father reached into the low cabinet beside the bed, withdrew a white envelope, and handed it to her, saying, "See for yourself."Rowan accepted the envelope with a sense of skepticism, noting its lightness and suspecting it contained photographs or postcards. Slowly opening it, she retrieved a piece of paper inside, revealing several photos, each taken from peculiar angles, suggesting they were captured secretly.As she laid eyes on the person featured in the photographs, Rowan's breath caug
Both David's family and Rowan's family took this day very seriously. The entire clan gathered at the cemetery to pay their respects to David's deceased grandfather.Despite their solemnity, there was no elaborate ceremony at the cemetery. In fact, it was a simple and dignified affair. This was in keeping with the old man's wishes, as he had always despised formalism and extravagance. Both David's father and David himself were naturally inclined towards modesty, and over the years, they had refrained from any grand displays.The younger generation took it upon themselves to clear the weeds around the tomb and offered fruits and flowers as a tribute. They all stood in front of the grave, sharing a moment of mourning.To this day, when Rowan looks at the photo on the tombstone, her eyes well up with pain. She had known him since childhood and often wondered if, had he still been alive, he might have helped David remember her, and their marriage might have survived.Throughout her life, s
Rowan assisted David's father in exiting the car, and coincidentally, upon entering the door, encountered David's cousin.Upon seeing Rowan, David's cousin contorted her face and pointed while shouting, as if she had glimpsed a ghost."Why did you come back with him? This is not your home!"David's father frowned and fixed his gaze on his youngest niece. "You! You've disregarded all the politeness I've always taught you. Your speech lacks decorum."This marked the first instance of David's father sternly correcting her due to her behavior towards Rowan.David's cousin may have been taken aback, for she looked at him incredulously and retorted in a raised voice."Am I mistaken? Uncle, you're acting more strangely by the day. We are obviously family, and this woman was abandoned by my brother. Why do you persist in favoring her?"David's father scolded her, "Who taught you such words? I haven't been guiding you for several days, and you've grown increasingly brazen."The dispute between
Rowan sat on the sofa, applying gentle force when moving people aside. However, David was taken by surprise and had to take a few steps back to maintain his balance. He clung to the coffee table with both hands, preventing himself from an embarrassing fall.Rowan's annoyance was palpable as she stared at David. In a deep voice, she confronted him, "David, considering we're divorced, can you please stop insulting me?"Having just regained his composure, David looked up just in time to see the sadness and anger in her eyes. He allowed a small, sarcastic smile to play on his lips as he replied, "You think I'm insulting you?"Rowan's anger flared. "Isn't it obvious? I've explained that it was my uncle who accompanied me home first, and I've only now returned to the Thompson family. Why do you insist on making it seem like you're here to see me, as if you want to seduce me? Is my dignity so meaningless to you?"David lowered his gaze, silently bearing her accusations.As Rowan continued to
I'm just speaking the truth," Rowan replied in a calm tone.However, the more composed Rowan appeared, the more Flora's anger intensified. The hand initially pointed at her nose gradually lowered and then forcefully shoved her.Fiercely, Flora stated, "You know nothing at all! If it weren't for you, he should have married me two years ago!"Rowan stumbled back a few steps, nearly falling to the ground. Fortunately, there was a half-height bookcase not far behind her, preventing her from collapsing entirely. But her back wasn't as fortunate, as it hit the cabinet with a dull thud. Instinctively, she reached out to support herself, causing a sharp pain in her wrist, and her bag fell to the ground."Ouch," Rowan groaned in pain. What worried her even more was the child in her belly. She steadied herself, protecting her lower abdomen despite the pain, and stared warily at Flora."What do you intend to do?" she asked.Flora sneered, "I merely gave you a gentle push. No need to play the vic
?As Rowan's words left her lips, Flora's conviction deepened, and she couldn't hide her concern any longer.Taking two determined strides forward, Flora seized Rowan's arm and let out a low growl. "What did you just say about cheating?"Despite her stature, Flora possessed a surprising strength. Rowan winced as Flora's grip sent a sharp, stinging pain through her arm as if her nails had pierced her flesh.Rowan quickly raised her hand and shook it vigorously, finally breaking free from Flora's hold. She stepped back a few paces, maintaining a cautious distance.Once she had regained her composure, Rowan paused for a moment before speaking. "You clearly know everything, Flora. How can you remain so unwavering in your loyalty to both of them if you're aware of their transgressions?"Flora's mind raced with alarm bells, making it difficult for her to focus on Rowan's words of reprimand. Her primary concern was how much Rowan knew and where she had obtained this information.Closing the
Flora lay sprawled on the cluttered floor, surrounded by the shattered remnants of a glass table lamp. Each fragment resembled an irreparable map. She moaned softly, half-reclined, and extended her left hand, gingerly pressing it against the fragments. Suddenly, crimson lines marred her once-pale palm.Rowan stood there, her gaze fixed on Flora's actions, though she still found the strength to critique herself. At times, it was unclear whether she was genuinely in discomfort or just feigning it; regardless, it was less alarming than it seemed."Rowan! Rowan, open the door quickly!" David Fat David's voice on the other side of the door quivered with anxiety. The crashing of the low table and lamp had been deafening, causing him to fear for Rowan's safety alone in the room.Voices other than David's father's began to filter in from outside the door. Although they were indistinct, they seemed to be the servants, drawn by the commotion.Rowan was briefly stupefied but soon snapped back to