0015
1360 Words
Amelia paused, "But I can't stay. I have my own job, and my dau-" She abruptly stopped, casting a panicked glance at her father, realizing she almost let it slip.
If her father knew she had a child, how would he react?
"Work?" William Collins spoke up, "Shouldn't you be in college at this time?
Didn't you attend university?"
Amelia nodded. University? How could she dare to think about that? She could barely manage to support herself and her daughter.
William Collins scratched his head in frustration. His daughter only had a high school education? This was all his fault.
Sensing her father's guilt, Amelia quickly sought to ease his heart.
"Education isn't all that important. Look, I'm doing just fine now, aren't I?"
Auntie Lucy came out from the kitchen, wiping her hands, and recited the menu, asking if it suited them. Amelia heard many dishes she used to love.
"Auntie Lucy, you're so thoughtful," Amelia said sincerely.
But William Collins wasn't paying attention to the food. His mind was consumed with the thought of Amelia leaving again.
"What job are you doing? Quit it. I'll arrange a position for you at the company, or if you wish to continue your studies, I can send you abroad." Anything, as long as she didn't leave. She was his only daughter.
Arrange a job at the company? Wouldn't that mean seeing Thomas every day?
"Dad, let's not talk about that now." Amelia changed the subject, pulling her father into a light conversation, sharing amusing stories from her years as a journalist.
William Collins couldn't help but laugh, praising his daughter's cleverness.
Just as Auntie Lucy called them for dinner, Grace returned. The moment she saw Amelia, she froze, as if turned to ice, barely able to move.
But she quickly recovered, joyfully grabbing Amelia's hand, fussing over her, telling her how much she missed her and how she had searched for her over the years.
Amelia had never liked Grace before, but now, a new feeling of disdain rose within her.
Had she forgotten that when her father had cast her out, Grace had stood by his side, even more resolute in sending her away?
Back then, Amelia had truly hated her. But over time, she had let it go, realizing that Grace had done it for her son's future. As a mother herself now, Amelia could no longer hate her.
Amelia hadn't yet recovered from the emotional blow when another one came crashing down.
The three sat at the dinner table. Grace carefully placed food on Amelia's plate, and Amelia, with polite detachment, thanked her.
"Amelia, your room is exactly as you left it. Later-"
"I won't be staying. I'll be leaving right after dinner. I have work tomorrow."
Amelia didn't touch the food on her plate but reached out and picked up a spicy shrimp. The familiar aroma instantly spread across her tongue.
It tasted just as it did before.
Grace hesitated, glancing awkwardly at William Collins.
William Collins set down his bowl with a sigh, finally conceding.
"If she doesn't want to come back now, let her spend a little more time outside."
When her stubbornness flared, not even ten oxen could pull her back. If anyone knew that, it was him.
"Thank you, Dad!" Amelia had wanted to say that not only would she not come back now, but she also never wanted anything from the Collins family again.
What he valued, she had never cared for. She had her daughter, and that was enough-so long as her daughter was hers alone.
Amelia had just picked up a dried shrimp when the screech of a sports car braking suddenly came from outside. Her heart clenched, and before she could react, hurried footsteps echoed in the living room.
"The young master is back?" Auntie Lucy said excitedly.
Amelia's face turned deathly pale. Her hand almost lost its grip on her chopsticks. Both William Collins and Grace glanced at her, saying nothing
What had happened back then— only the few of them knew.
Amelia withdrew her hand, popping a bean into her mouth, unable to taste a thing.
She could feel the oppressive air at her back, freezing her in place.
He didn't saya word, simply stood there, staring straight at her.
Grace's brows furrowed, her face paling. She hadn't informed him that Amelia had returned. How did he know?
Amelia set her chopsticks down and slowly stood up, turning to face him. She held back the tears that threatened to spill over, her lips parting softly.
"elder brother!"
Amelia lifted her head, and her gaze collided with Thomas's. She had intended to avoid his eyes, but when she met them, she saw something there that he shouldn't have been feeling.
Was it just her imagination?
"Thomas, please, have a seat." Auntie Lucy added a set of cutlery and pulled out a chair for Thomas, placing him right next to Amelia.
Hearing Amelia call him "brother," Auntie Lucy finally let out a sigh of relief. She had specifically informed him in hopes of reconciling the siblings.
It seemed Amelia had forgiven him.
When the young master had left for his studies abroad, Amelia had cried in secret many times. Now that they were reconciled, this house would once again feel like a home.
Thomas's intense gaze lingered on Amelia. His chest still heaved from the rush of his earlier steps.
Amelia, feeling the weight of his stare, sat down, silently picking at her food.
Thomas clenched his fists, sitting next to her, elegantly tearing open his chopsticks' wrapper.
The atmosphere turned icy in an instant. William Collins and Grace exchanged anxious glances, unsure of what to do.
With him so close, Amelia suddenly felt uncomfortable, unable to even find a place to rest her gaze. Her eyes kept straying toward him.
The meal passed in complete silence until the very end.
Amelia stood up hastily, addressing her father, "Dad, I have to go now. I've booked an afternoon ticket, and it's almost time."
Thomas abruptly stopped wiping his mouth, stood, and slipped on his suit jacket, pulling out his car keys.
"I'll take her."
Everyone turned to look at him, including Amelia. He truly couldn't stand to have her stay in the house for even a few more minutes.
Her return must have placed considerable pressure on him.
"Thomas, you've just gotten off work. You must be exhausted. If it's too much trouble, let Henry drive her," Grace chimed in quickly.
Amelia couldn't bear to listen any longer. This mother and son duo-what a perfect performance they were putting on.
"No need," Amelia coldly refused. "I know my way back. No one needs to drive me."
She spoke, already pulling out her chair and heading for the sofa to retrieve her bag.
Thomas stood there, quietly fastening his buttons, his handsome face clouded with displeasure.
She had changed. She was no longer the spoiled heiress who took pleasure in tormenting him.
The memories of that childish voice still echoed in his ears...
Her return must have placed considerable pressure on him.
"Thomas, you've just gotten off work. You must be exhausted. If it's too much trouble, let Henry drive her," Grace chimed in quickly.
Amelia couldn't bear to listen any longer. This mother and son duo-what a perfect performance they were putting on.
"No need," Amelia coldly refused. "I know my way back. No one needs to drive me."
She spoke, already pulling out her chair and heading for the sofa to retrieve her bag.
Thomas stood there, quietly fastening his buttons, his handsome face clouded with displeasure.
She had changed. She was no longer the spoiled heiress who took pleasure in tormenting him.
The memories of that childish voice still echoed in his ears...
"Thomas, don't you dare tell anyone you know me!"
"Sorry, I don't have time to explain my relationship with you to others."
"You-"
William Collins hurried after her, seeing that she was ready to leave, and in a moment of desperation, grabbed her arm.
Amelia turned and embraced her father, resting her forehead on his shoulder, lingering in the warmth of his affection.
- Writer
