Chapter 204
Valeria knew Margaret didn’t have much money. Every month, she would carefully save whatever Valeria gave her.
Judging by the bankbook she had seen earlier, there probably wasn’t even 20 thousand dollars in it. Valeria had no idea how long Margaret had been saving, but there was nothing she could do. After all, Thomas was Margaret’s only son.
She asked, “Granny, my mom–why did she leave back then?”
Ever since she was little, Valeria had often overheard the gossip of the old ladies in the village. They said her mother, Grace, left just a year after marrying Melvin Carlson and giving birth to
her.
The rumors flew, ever so vividly painted. Some said Grace had been unfaithful–that she’d run off with another man.
Margaret, sitting on the couch knitting, froze for a moment when she heard this.
She stayed silent for several seconds before finally saying, “Riri, don’t hate your mother.”
Valeria lowered her gaze. “All these years, and I’ve never even seen her. Is she still alive?”
Margaret shook her head.
Just the mention of Grace brought tears to her eyes, and she quietly wiped them away with her
hand.
That night, Valeria couldn’t sleep. She got up, tiptoed to Margaret’s room, and opened the wardrobe before searching beneath a stack of clothes.
She wanted to see that family photograph, but she couldn’t find it. Margaret had probably put
it away.
The next afternoon, Valeria called a car. On the second day of the New Year, she returned to the city, bringing with her the gifts Margaret had given.
With nothing else to do at home, Margaret had knitted sweaters and scarves. She made a blue scarf for Valeria, a pink one for Selena, and a black sweater for Shane.
That evening, the Grant family gathered at the Bond residence for dinner. All the younger generations from both families were present, with not a single one missing.
Sebastian’s grandfather, Lewis, was a decorated old general. At 93 and frail with carried a commanding presence despite leaning on a cane.
age,
he still
After the banquet, several of Lewis‘ former subordinates came to visit with their families.
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Among them was a young woman who had just returned from studying abroad. She called out sweetly, “Sebastian, it’s been a while.”
Sebastian didn’t know who she was, but the sweet way she said his name made his skin crawl. He thought to himself that it would be very different if Valeria were to call out to him like that.
He took out his phone and sent Valeria a message, asking if she was back yet.
Valeria replied with a simple “Yes.”
Just one word, and Sebastian’s lips curved faintly.
The Bond residence was particularly lively at that moment. Martha walked over to greet the newly arrived ladies, exchanging a few polite words. Her gaze swept over a few of the young women of suitable age.
One lady took her hand. “Martha, does Sebastian have a girlfriend yet?”
The woman’s daughter quickly blushed, stealing a glance at Sebastian, who was not far away.
He looked so tall and noble.
She tugged at her mother’s sleeve, and her mother nodded knowingly.
Martha replied, “Him? I don’t even dare to ask.”
Sebastian stood up. “Grandpa, I’ll head back first. I’ll come visit again another day.”
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Chapter 205
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Chapter 205
