"Oliver," Penny called out as she led her daughter, Cerys Johnson, from the yard into the living room. Penny patted Oliver on the head before adding, "Take Cerys out to play. I'll look after your great-grandma.""Oliver, let's play!" Cerys eagerly reached out to Oliver. At the age of three, Cerys received a great deal of love and care from Penny and Sam. She was irresistibly adorable with her chubby cheeks and big eyes.Oliver glanced at Penny and realized that she was sending him away on purpose. Since he'd already said what he needed, he didn't mind."All right, Aunt Penny. I'll be taking Cerys to play. Call me if you need anything," Oliver said politely as he took Cerys' hand in his.They left the living room and headed for the grape arbor. Oliver didn't waste a single glance at Angela. For him, courtesy was a matter of mutual respect, regardless of Angela's age.Oliver wasn't influenced by other people's opinions. He always put his feelings first. He would make sure that tho
"Angela, I'm sorry. I don't have any idea what's going on with James," Penny said truthfully. She kept her expression emotionless as she added, "You're closest to him. You probably know more about his health than anyone."Angela's expression immediately turned dark. She regretted coming to Fairport. Her frustration made it hard for her to breathe.Just as she was about to speak, Zelda's voice came from behind her. "Mom, you're not getting any younger, and your legs are not strong. Why are you standing there? Aren't you tired?"Angela's rage wasn't fading, and she found Zelda an easy target for venting. She snapped back, "You're shameless enough to bring this up! Is this the way you treat your guests? How dare you invite me here but cast me aside?"Perhaps Zelda had already given up on Angela, so she didn't feel much. As Rebecca had said, a scolding wouldn't do any harm. Zelda gazed calmly at Angela, the woman who had brought her into the world and raised her.Memories of her happy
Angela felt that Zelda's words hit her like a sledgehammer."Could you?" Zelda humbly asked Angela not to take her anger out on others because of her favoritism toward Mary.Angela was startled. She staggered and nearly fell. Luckily, the housekeeper caught her quickly.Zelda had always believed that family came first. In the past, she would have been worried about Angela getting hurt. However, Angela's harsh words gradually wore down her heart, and she was no longer tenderhearted."Zel, I didn't mean to be hard on you." Angela softened her tone after regaining her composure. She must have felt guilty about how she had treated Zelda over the years, and how she had treated the Johnsons these past few days."Mary's marriage didn't turn out well. Your father married her off in Riverwood, which was a long way from Rookfort. We couldn't help her in time when she was being mistreated. After her divorce, Mary came back to us with Serena."Yet, the Seales family was a heartless bunch. Th
Looking back, Zelda had been the compromising and accommodating sister ever since Mary, or more accurately, Henry was born.The Stiggs' business was booming when Zelda was young. She learned to do chores and take care of Henry like an adult. Henry grew up under her care, even though there wasn't much of an age difference between them.James took over most of the responsibilities while Angela stayed home after the Stiggs' business stabilized. That was when they welcomed Mary into the family.Angela devoted herself to Mary. She often gave Mary things that belonged to Zelda rather than Henry because she didn't want to mistreat Henry. Besides, Angela felt that Zelda had grown up and that Mary deserved to be cherished.Perhaps due to her upbringing, Zelda didn't feel that anything seemed wrong. Despite her inner turmoil, she fulfilled her duties as a sister and continued to manage various affairs at home.The most rebellious thing Zelda did in her life was marry Kenneth. Some warned he
Perhaps Zelda's words had affected Angela, for her tone was not as firm as earlier. Emotions rose in Angela. She also felt a hint of regret for Zelda. Zelda seemed uninterested. She wasn't going to let go of past grievances just for that."I don't have to tell you where I'm going, do I? Why are you asking now when you never cared about me before?" Zelda glowered at Angela before she left with Rebecca and Penny.Angela seemed defeated and angry. She wanted to say something to Zelda but ended up remaining silent. Her shoulders slumped, and she looked deflated. She was exhausted and didn't know where to go next.The housekeeper noticed that something was wrong and quickly came over to support Angela. With a wave of her hand, Angela pulled her arm away from the housekeeper and walked out of the villa. She seemed to be looking for Cerys and Oliver, who were in the garden.Everyone loved Cerys. She was docile, sensible, and as beautiful as Penny, who had once been a star. Angela sat in a
Cerys was enjoying herself immensely. Oliver didn't want to spoil her fun by taking her away. He knew she wouldn't make a scene even if she was taken away, but he didn't want to be that selfish.As Angela approached the two of them, Oliver suppressed his disgust at her and greeted, "Great-grandma."The elegance in Oliver's youthful face caught Angela's eye. He would surely grow up to be a handsome man in just a few more years.Angela sighed as she thought about how lucky the Johnsons had been. She couldn't wait to call Henry and ask him when Jimmy was getting married. But she knew that Jimmy was always the decisive one, so asking would be in vain."Let me ask you something. Has Rebecca caused any trouble since she came back?" Angela asked as she looked straight into Oliver's eyes.Oliver looked at Angela in a confused way."I can see that Zelda is especially fond of Rebecca as if she wants to give her everything she has. With so many people in the Johnson family, isn't there some
Cerys was standing beside Oliver. She didn't have a clue what was being said. When she heard that Aunt Rebecca had been given some gifts, she held up the flower she had just picked and mumbled that she wanted to give it to Rebecca. "For Aunt Rebecca! I want to give this to Aunt Rebecca!"Oliver lowered his head and touched Cerys' head affectionately. "How about we wait until Aunt Rebecca comes back and give it to her then?"Cerys nodded earnestly before counting with her fingers. "Okay! I want to give one to Mommy and one to Grandma as well. Would you like one?"She hadn't forgotten Oliver. Oliver smiled and replied, "Guys don't need flowers. I can pick some for you if you want.""Sure." Cerys smiled sweetly and happily searched the garden for the most beautiful flowers. She didn't notice the grave atmosphere between Oliver and Angela. Cerys was the youngest Johnson. She just needed to grow up safe and happy.Oliver's gaze followed Cerys. He was afraid she might fall as he watched
Worried that Angela would bother Oliver with all the adult stuff, the housekeeper suggested, "Mrs. Stigg Senior, if you're bored here in the garden, you can return to the house for a book or watch television."There are also several entertainment options in your room. Madam Zelda will be back shortly. After lunch, she will arrange for you to tour the Fairport area."Angela had just had a big fight with Zelda right after she had come back from the hospital, and she had just been criticized by Oliver. Also, there hadn't been a message from James yet. She was too annoyed to answer the housekeeper.She sauntered through the garden. The Johnsons had hired a gardener to maintain the beautiful grounds. Also, Fairport had been blessed with nice weather throughout the year, so the temperature was pleasant.As she bathed in the fragrance of flowers in the air, Angela's irritation began to ease. Her mood finally settled after a walk on the stone path in the garden. Her tone was noticeably sof