Evelyn came downstairs and saw Mrs. Caldwell being wheeled in by Vanessa, followed by a crowd of people hauling bags and suitcases.
“Well, look who finally decided to show up,” Olivia sneered, lifting her eyelids just enough to meet her gaze. “I thought you were planning to hide in that room for the rest of your life.”
Vanessa stood beside her, holding a cup of tea, her voice gentle. “Mrs. Caldwell just finished rehab. The doctor said it’s important she moves around more.”
“Rehab?” Evelyn looked at Olivia’s legs.
Olivia patted her knees proudly. “Surprised? The doctor said I’m recovering well. Give it a little more time
and I’ll be back to normal.”
She raised a hand and pointed upstairs. “Vanessa’s moving in today. It’s easier for her to take care of me.
Your opinion isn’t needed.”
Evelyn said nothing, only curled her lips into a faint smile and looked toward Brandon.
He pressed his lips together and muttered, “Evelyn already agreed.”
Olivia was taken aback for a moment, then snorted. “Finally acting like you’ve got some sense.”
Vanessa immediately lit up and clung to Olivia’s arm affectionately. “Let me take your luggage upstairs,
Mrs. Caldwell.”
Olivia patted her hand. “Go ahead. Pick any room you like.”
Vanessa’s eyes sparkled. She dashed upstairs, practically humming.
Moments later, a loud crash echoed from above.
Evelyn looked up and saw Vanessa directing the housemaids to take down the wall art in the hallway.
It was the painting she and Brandon had picked out together–depicting the beach from their first date.
“This painting’s awful,” Vanessa said with a laugh. “Doesn’t match the new decor at all. Totally ruins the
vibe.”
Then she pointed to the photos on the wall. “Let’s get rid of these too. They’re such an eyesore.”
One by one, the pictures were yanked down. Among them was their wedding photo.
Brandon stood at the top of the stairs, frowning slightly. He looked like he wanted to say something—but in the end, he just turned to Evelyn.
“Let them do what they want. We can rehang everything later.”
Evelyn forced a smile. She said nothing.
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Vanessa peeked her head over the stair rail and chirped, “Brandon, I want to stay in the master bedroom!
It’s close to Mrs. Caldwell’s room–easier to take care of her.”
Olivia nodded at once. “Smart girl. Very considerate.”
Brandon instinctively glanced at Evelyn, as if expecting her to object.
But Evelyn simply nodded. “Alright. I’ll move to the guest room.”
She turned to go upstairs.
Brandon grabbed her wrist. “Something’s off with you.”
Evelyn looked back at him. “What is it? Weren’t you the one who said she should move in?”
“But you…” Brandon’s brows furrowed. “You wouldn’t have reacted like this before.”
“Before?” She let out a soft laugh. “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?”
She pulled her hand free and walked straight into the master bedroom, quietly packing her things without another word.
Brandon followed, leaning against the doorframe as he watched her fold her clothes, one by one, into the
suitcase.
Finally, he couldn’t hold it in. “What’s going on with you?”
Evelyn didn’t even look up. “Making room for you two.”
Brandon’s throat tightened, but he said nothing.
At 7 p.m., Evelyn came down for dinner.
At the table, Olivia, Vanessa, and Brandon were already seated. The table was covered in dishes.
Vanessa was just placing a piece of fish into Olivia’s bowl. Olivia beamed. “Vanessa really knows how to take care of people.”
Brandon looked up and saw Evelyn. He waved her over. “Come eat.”
Evelyn walked over and sat down. But as her eyes swept across the table, she froze.
Every dish–every single one–contained something she was allergic to.
Shrimp. Mango. Peanuts.
She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with Olivia, who wore a mocking little smile.
Brandon, completely unaware, placed a shrimp into Vanessa’s bowl. “Try this. Your favorite.”
Vanessa smiled sweetly. “Thanks, Brandon.”
Then he ladled a bowl of soup for Olivia.
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She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with Olivia, who wore a mocking little smile.
Brandon, completely unaware, placed a shrimp into Vanessa’s bowl. “Try this. Your favorite.”
Vanessa smiled sweetly. “Thanks, Brandon.”
Then he ladled a bowl of soup for Olivia.
When he finally looked toward Evelyn and noticed she hadn’t touched a thing, he frowned. “Don’t be
childish. You still need to eat.”
Evelyn sat in stunned silence.
He didn’t remember.
She was severely allergic to seafood. Once, just a bite of shrimp had sent her to the ER in the middle of the
night.
Brandon had stayed by her side the entire time, red–eyed and panicked. He held her hand and said, “From now on, I’ll make sure you never touch anything you’re allergic to again.”
Now he was feeding shrimp to someone else–and didn’t even realize what he’d forgotten.
Evelyn lowered her eyes. Picked up her knife and fork and quietly ate a single stalk of bok choy.
Olivia suddenly spoke. “Brandon, Vanessa’s been with you so long and hasn’t asked for anything. She just wants a proper wedding. What do you think?”
Brandon’s chopsticks paused mid–air.
He instinctively looked at Evelyn.
Vanessa put on a pitiful look. “Mrs. Caldwell, don’t pressure him. I–I’m fine, really.‘
Olivia patted her hand. “Nonsense. You can’t be expected to stay by his side with no title or recognition.”
A few seconds of silence passed.
Brandon hesitated. “Let me talk to Evelyn about it first.”
“No need,” Evelyn said suddenly.
Everyone looked at her.
She set down her tableware, voice steady. “Do it. Have the wedding.”
Chapter 3
