Lily Thompson escorted her in-laws to the main house. She was having tea with the old lady, so she hurried back to Sterling Manor. The young lady was alone in the building, and she felt uneasy.
Evie Sterling went upstairs. She was a little bored. She picked up her knitting basket and continued weaving a scarf to pass the time. When her phone rang, she set the basket aside and got up to answer it.
She saw an unfamiliar number on the screen. She hesitated for a long moment before picking up.
"Hello—"
"Evie, it's me, Grace!" Grace O'Sullivan's voice came through the line.
"Grace, hello!" Evie replied after a brief pause.
"Sorry to bother you," Grace said politely.
"Don't mention it, Grace."
"I wanted to call you yesterday, but I had some things to take care of. I didn't get a chance until tonight."
"Grace, what's the matter?" Evie asked.
"It's nothing serious. I just wanted to make sure you didn't misunderstand what happened that night."
"I don't," Evie said simply.
"No, I don't mean anything by it. I just wanted to explain. I'm going back soon, and I might not have many chances to return to China in the future. I had dinner with some old friends as a farewell.
I made that appointment with Alexander alone. I admit I had some selfish motives, but I only wanted to have a meal together. He didn't want to come. I told him that after all these years, sharing one last meal might be our only chance to see each other again. He finally agreed.
We just ate together. He barely said a few words.
Evie, I really envy you."
"Grace, do you want me to misunderstand, or do you want me to think more?" Evie asked calmly.
"Evie, don't get me wrong. I don't mean anything else. I just wanted to explain what happened that night. I don't want to leave any trouble behind for you."
"Grace, if there's a problem, the key isn't with you or me. If you have hope, you should focus on Alexander, not me.
After all, I can't make decisions for him, and I can't help you," Evie replied.
The line went silent. After a moment, Grace's voice returned.
"Evie, if it were before, I would have fought for it. I never forgot Alexander all these years. We had deep feelings once.
But now I can tell you honestly—I don't feel that way anymore.
Alexander loves you now.
Maybe I still can't let go completely, but it's only because of regret and my illness.
Other than that, there's nothing between us.
Even the memories are fading."
"Grace, nothing is more important than your health. Take care of yourself first. As long as you're alive, there's still hope. If you give up, it's truly over.
As for your past with Alexander, it means nothing to me. You don't need to explain.
If I care about anything, it's Alexander's attitude and his choice.
Everything else doesn't matter to me."
"Evie, you're a very special girl.
Alexander is lucky to have you. I believe he knows what he truly wants.
Thank you for your advice. I'll try my best to live well. I wish you both the best."
"Thank you."
Evie hung up and turned to look out the window.
It was late autumn. The view outside seemed a little bleak, but it still held traces of past glory and the promise of next year's vitality.
Alexander and Grace. Honestly, she didn't care anymore.
If it was over, it was over. Knowing or not knowing didn't matter.
If it wasn't over, she didn't want to know or understand. After all, she had her own choice, didn't she?
Many people were vulnerable because they passively accepted certain outcomes. They didn't want to take the initiative to respond.
If the relationship between Alexander and Grace wasn't in the past but still ongoing, she could choose to end things with him.
The hardest thing wasn't experiencing pain. It was making the right choice.
The most painful thing was when reason couldn't defeat emotion.
Evie sighed and looked away. The next second, she noticed something. She turned her head and saw her mother standing at the top of the stairs. Amelia Vance was staring at her with anger and sadness.
"Mom—" Evie stood up, looking at her nervously.
"What's going on between you and Alexander?" Amelia walked over and asked.
"Nothing, Mom. We're fine," Evie said quickly.
"You're still hiding it from me at a time like this? I heard everything you said on the phone.
Does Alexander have another woman outside?" Amelia asked excitedly.
"No, he doesn't!" Evie shook her head in embarrassment.
"No? You're still lying to me. Does your sister already know? Is that why she's in such a hurry to help you raise ten million?"
"No, Mom, it's not what you think!" Evie shook her head quickly.
"Then what is it?" Amelia stared at her daughter.
"Mom, I don't know how to explain it to you. It's not what you think," Evie said helplessly.
"You don't need to explain. Come home with me. Our family may be poor, but we don't have to suffer this kind of humiliation!
Come home with me. Your father and I will support you! I'll ask your father to borrow money to take care of their family!" Amelia grabbed Evie's hand.
"Mom, don't get so upset! It's really not what you think!" Evie replied anxiously. "That woman is just Alexander's ex-girlfriend!"
Amelia was furious.
"Mom—"
"Come back with me now. You don't need to pack anything. Let your sister come pick us up! You're pregnant now, and I don't want to make a scene. Just come with me!"
"Mom—" Evie begged.
"Mom, what mom? How could I have raised such a weak daughter? I'm so angry!" Amelia clutched her chest.
"Mom, Mom, don't get upset. I'll go back with you. Just calm down!" Evie was startled and quickly agreed.
"Call your sister. Tell her to come meet us!" Amelia said directly.
"Okay, okay, I'll call her now. Mom, please don't get upset!" Evie nodded and picked up her phone to call her sister.