Chapter 170
“Ms. Neal, I wanted to ask you about someone,” Avery said. After a few moments of thought, she continued, “Back in high school, there was a young lady called Janie in Mr. Grant’s class. Do you happen to know her?”
Valeria lowered her gaze and stared at the boiling kettle. Keeping herself composed, she mentioned with a hoarse voice, “Her name’s Jane Carlson.”
“That’s the one,” Avery replied, relieved. They were classmates after all, even in neighboring classes–she was sure Valeria would know something.
“Ms. Neal, can you tell me more about Jane? What was she like? Do you have any photos of her from back then?” Sebastian’s love life only ever involved Jane, and Avery wanted to
understand more.
Valeria washed an apple and cut it into pieces. “She was… overweight, not very pretty, and quiet. The other students gave her nicknames, calling her ‘whale,‘ ‘fat cow,‘ and even ‘super giant.‘ She wasn’t very bright and wasn’t talented either.
“But her grades were good because she worked hard. She didn’t have many friends as she preferred being alone.”
She spoke quietly, recounting her past self.
Avery was shocked, “Oh God! How mean! Those mean kids always make fun of others.”
After Valeria finished cutting the apples, she gave Avery a slice, then carried the plate to the living room.
Around 5:00 pm, her phone rang—it was Sebastian.
She answered. His voice came through. “Is my mom at your place?”
Valeria replied, “Yeah.”
“I’ll come pick them up later.” He paused, sounding indifferent when he added, “Sorry to bother you.”
“It’s nothing.” That was all she said.
Sebastian stayed silent for a moment, then hung up.
The awkward tension from the morning’s argument still lingered.
Valeria looked across the living room. Selena was holding some watercolor pens while Martha
Chapter 170
sat beside her, drawing along. The scene was warm and comforting.
Avery sighed. “Mrs. Grant Sr. really adores Selena. They get along so naturally.”
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The reason they got along naturally was that they were connected by blood–something only
Valeria knew.
Later, Martha received a call saying Sebastian had arrived. He was there to pick them up, so
she left with Avery.
Valeria looked at the supplements Martha had brought. They were too expensive, and Selena couldn’t even eat them. She wanted Martha to take them back, but Martha refused with a stern expression.
With no other options, Valeria pulled out a box of strawberries from the fridge. She gave them to Martha, who gladly accepted the strawberries with a smile.
Then, Valeria walked them to the first floor.
At the building entrance, Sebastian’s black SUV was parked conspicuously. He stood tall, leaning against the door, wearing a coat down to his knees, radiating both elegance and
aloofness.
His eyes met Valeria’s.
Martha then said to Valeria, “It’s cold. You should head back.
Valeria pulled on a down jacket over her pink sweater, hiding the pair of fleece–lined jeans and slippers that she wore. Her face looked a little pale, and the cold wind made her shiver.
“Drive safe,” she said.
“When Leo is on his break, I’ll bring him over to keep Selena company. You should head home, “Martha said, waving Valeria goodbye.
Valeria heard Sebastian respond with a soft hum. It sounded like he was responding to her, or maybe it was just the wind whispering in her ear.
She watched as he got into the car and drove off. Deep down, she knew that things would go back to how it was before the fight if she just softened a little.
All she had to do was say that she was wrong about what happened in the morning, ask him not to be upset, and gently coax him with some nice words.
