Chapter 337 A Sour Heart
At first, the Brown family didn't believe it, thinking Colin was a fraud, until Madam produced an old photo. The Brown family immediately recognized Susan's childhood face in the photo.
The Brown family claimed Susan was dead but had left behind a daughter.
Madam, upon seeing Patricia for the first time, was convinced she was her granddaughter because Patricia resembled her in her youth.
Colin, however, felt it wasn't enough to determine Susan's daughter based solely on her face. He suggested a paternity test, which the Brown family cooperated with. The test confirmed that Patricia was indeed Madam's granddaughter.
David also reviewed the paternity test, which was conducted by a reputable institution in City B.
David rubbed his temples, feeling heartache at the thought of Susan growing up in such a family. If only they had found Susan earlier, there might have been a chance to remedy whatever she had gone through.
"Don't go back to the hotel; go to the cemetery to see Susan," David suggested. He hadn't paid his respects to Susan yet.
Colin turned the car around, and they headed to Susan's grave. The last time Colin and Madam visited, they found the tombstone in disarray. He had it redone, but the Brown family had already taken care of it.
David looked at the photo of Susan and her husband on the tombstone. The fact that they were buried together indicated a loving relationship. From the photo, Susan's husband seemed like an upright man. However, the Brown family portrayed him as worthless.
"Why isn't Patricia's name engraved on the tombstone?" David asked.
"The headstone was newly made by the Brown family. They said according to local customs, only the son's name can be engraved. Daughters who marry out cannot have their names on the family tombstone," Colin explained.
Typically, if the tomb owner has descendants, their names are engraved on the tombstone. However, in some places, only sons' and grandsons' names are allowed.
They stood there for half an hour before leaving.
The matter of the ancestral home had yet to be settled, so David wasn't planning to return to Country M temporarily. Jennifer hadn't selected students yet and wasn't planning to leave either. As for Colin, he had to go back. But before that, he wanted to see Sam.
Colin noticed that Sophia had moved to a new house, and the children lived next door. This way, Sophia could see the children every day, ensuring that Sam's depression wouldn't relapse. Colin conducted a small psychological test on Sam, and Sam was receptive and obedient to Colin's instructions.
"How is Sam?" Sophia asked nervously as Colin emerged.
Colin smiled. "So far, Sam seems to be doing well."
"But Sam only calls me 'mommy' occasionally and doesn't say much else," Sophia expressed her concern.
"I think it might be related to the cause of his illness," Colin replied.
Sophia had tried to reach out to Sam and get him to open up about what had scared him in the past, but so far, she had been unsuccessful.
"Don't worry; treating autism takes time. Rushing it might have the opposite effect," Colin reassured her. Sophia took a deep breath and thanked him.
"We're all family here; no need to be so formal," Colin said as he sat on the couch.
"I really want to eat the food you make," he added, making Sophia smile.
Sophia smiled. "I'll make something right away."
That evening, Sophia prepared a table full of dishes, and Ruth brought her three children over from next door. The atmosphere in the house was lively, in stark contrast to Gabriel's home, which felt empty.
Ruth had moved in with her children, so naturally, Gabriel followed suit. He didn't want to live alone in the cold, empty mansion. Besides, being closer would help him get closer to Sophia.
As Gabriel arrived home, he heard faint laughter and chatter coming from Sophia's house.
Standing at Sophia's door, he hesitated before ringing the bell. Suddenly, he heard a man's hearty laughter from inside, which made Gabriel's heart skip a beat. He pressed the doorbell without further delay.
Sophia opened the door after a while, her smile fading when she saw Gabriel. "What are you here for?" she asked.
"I..." Gabriel struggled to find a reason.
Catching a glimpse of the children inside, he quickly said, "I'm here to take the kids home."
"It's only 8 o'clock," Sophia pointed out.
"They need to sleep early, and since I have custody, I decide when to pick them up," Gabriel asserted.
Sophia clenched her fists, reminding herself to be patient.
Since the children were next door, she could see them whenever she wanted. She went back inside to call the three children.
Gabriel had intended to enter, but Sophia slammed the door shut, narrowly missing his nose. After about ten minutes, the three children reluctantly came out.
"Daddy meanie, I want to sleep with mommy." Emma tugged at Gabriel's clothes, trying to soften him up.
"Okay," Gabriel agreed.
"Really?" Emma's eyes lit up.
"But you have to do me a favor," Gabriel whispered something in Emma's ear. After a moment of thought, Emma agreed.
"Okay, I promise," she said.
Gabriel let her go, saying, "Go and find your mommy."
Ethan also wanted to stay. Gabriel understood his thoughts, so he patted Ethan's head and then Sam's.
"If you want to stay, then stay. I'll take you to kindergarten tomorrow." Ethan and Sam happily ran back inside.
Gabriel shook his head helplessly. He wondered when he would earn forgiveness from the children and Sophia. The task of winning back his wife was difficult.
As Gabriel prepared to return to his neighboring home, Colin stepped out.
"Don't bother. Just go inside," Colin said gently.
Sophia blushed at the heat, looking like a shy girl.
"Alright, then drive safely," she said.
"I will," Colin assured her. He nodded at Gabriel before stepping into the elevator.
Gabriel clenched his fists. Sophia was warm and welcoming to Colin but cold and distant towards him.
"Do not forget our agreement; if you seek stepfathers for the children, you forfeit any chance of regaining custody," Gabriel said angrily.
Sophia, turning back towards the room, hesitated momentarily.
She cast a mocking glance and retorted, "Rest assured, I will certainly reclaim custody."
Gabriel, visibly displeased, entered the room with a heavy heart.
His phone rang, bringing him back to reality.
"Hello?" Gabriel answered.
"Mr. Lancaster, we found the address of the anonymous email sender," Alex informed him.
"Where?" Gabriel inquired.
"Near Sunset Heights, at an internet cafe," Alex replied.
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