That afternoon, Cecilia finally stepped through her grandfather's courtyard gate.
When she pushed open the door and saw James Wright, her grandfather, reading a newspaper in his den, the tears she'd held back throughout the journey finally spilled over.
Like a wronged child, she rushed over and buried her face in James's shoulder, releasing all the restraint and pain she had carried these past months.
At first, James adopted a stern tone, pretending to scold her. "So you finally remembered to come home? You've grown up now. When was the last time you called me?"
But as he listened to her ragged sobs, his touch softened, gently patting her back. His voice turned serious. "Did Ethan Jones bully you? Tell Grandpa, and I'll give him a piece of my mind!"
Cecilia shook her head, sobbing, he
