Chapter 67 The Storm Had Passed
"Who's there?"
Alistair heard the knock, wiped his hands on his apron, glanced at the fish he just cooked, and set it on the table before heading to the door.
Bella Savoy, watering the plants, looked up. "Who's at the door?"
"Probably the neighbor. I asked her to bring over some eggs I bought."
At the door, Camilla stood, looking at Alistair.
After six years, Alistair had more gray hair and deeper wrinkles on his square face.
When she was little, she loved sitting on his shoulders. Now, he was older, his back bent, but his eyes were still sharp, just like before.
"Dad," Camilla said softly.
Alistair went from dazed to shocked, then his face darkened. "What are you doing here?"
Outside, it went silent. Bella, feeling something was off, walked out of the living room and into the yard. "Alistair, who is it?"
When she saw Camilla, Bella dropped the watering can.
Camilla's eyes filled with tears. Bella was still as beautiful and elegant as ever.
Their eyes met, and Camilla murmured, "Mom."
Bella's hands trembled, her lips moved, but no words came out.
After a moment, she hoarsely said, "Alistair, let her in."
In the living room, Alistair sat on the sofa, expressionless. "Why are you back? Did you forget what you said?"
Six years ago, Camilla turned down a PhD program for Leopold. Alistair found out last and was so mad he ended up in the hospital.
He had raised her, never thinking she'd give up everything for a man.
He still remembered going to Imperial City to confront her. She said she chose love over academics and wouldn't regret it.
Thinking about it still made his chest tight.
"I told you, go chase your love. Your mom and I will live like we don't have a daughter!"
"Dad," Camilla cried.
"Don't call me that." Alistair turned away. "I'm not your dad. I can't be your dad."
Maybe the emotions were too much, and his blood pressure spiked. Bella quickly patted his back. "Alright, calm down. You know your blood pressure is high."
Then Bella looked at Camilla.
Camilla was really stubborn!
They had tried to persuade her, scold her, but she was determined.
Bella had written so many novels with heroines who were strong and stubborn, but she never expected Camilla to be even more obstinate!
Bella once thought Camilla had lost her mind!
Bella hardened her heart and coldly said, "You see your dad's health isn't good. If you still consider us family, don't stress him out. Leave."
Camilla's throat felt choked, her nose stung, and tears blurred her vision.
"Mom, Dad, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong. Dad, I know you had high hopes for me, wanting me to go further. I let you down."
Camilla took a deep breath and turned to Bella, "And Mom, you always told me to be strong and independent, not to rely on anyone. I'm sorry I let you down. This time, I came back because I missed you both so much and hoped you could give me another chance to make things right."
All these years, Camilla didn't dare to come back because she was scared of seeing the disappointment in her parents' eyes.
She also had a stubborn pride, wanting to prove to them that her choice back then wasn't wrong.
But reality had hit her hard.
She was wrong, so wrong.
Alistair's eyes widened. He thought, 'Really? Camilla finally admits she was wrong?'
Bella's heart ached. She thought, 'If Camilla hadn't been wronged and suffered, how could my stubborn daughter possibly say she was wrong?'
"Have you really thought it through?" Alistair's tone softened.
Camilla bit her lip. "I've thought it through long ago, but I was afraid you'd be angry, so I didn't dare come back."
She sniffed, recalling her hesitation and fear before coming home. She cautiously looked up. "Mom, Dad, can I stay? I want to spend Christmas with you."
Alistair turned his face away, not letting Bella and Camilla see the tears in his eyes, and said gruffly, "Since you're back, stay for now."
Bella sighed in relief. "Are you just going to stand there? Put your suitcase back in the room. The food's getting cold."
Camilla couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She cried and laughed, "Mom, Dad, I missed you so much. This time, I finally found my way home."
Bella's eyes welled up, and she reached out to hug her long-lost daughter.
Six years, and this family was finally reunited.
The family had missed six years together. After finally reuniting, they hugged and cried for a long time before calming down.
Alistair wouldn't admit he cried. "I have conjunctivitis that flares up every winter, didn't you know?"
Bella rolled her eyes. She thought, 'Keep pretending!'
She lovingly stroked Camilla's swollen eyes, both angry and amused. "Look at you, crying like this as soon as you come back. You had to make the whole family cry with you."
Camilla hugged her arm, leaning into Bella's embrace like she did when she was a child, acting spoiled. "I haven't seen you in so long. What's wrong with crying? You and Dad, how have you been these years while I was away?"
Alistair said, "We are fine, just as we always are. Don't worry."
Camilla nodded. Alistair, though looking older, seemed in good health.
Bella was well-maintained, looking like she was in her early thirties.
Having just cried, her eyes felt uncomfortable, and she instinctively reached out to rub them.
Bella immediately slapped her hand away. "How many times have I told you not to rub your eyes with your hands?"
"Alistair, get Camilla an ice pack to reduce the swelling, or her eyes will be even more swollen tomorrow morning."
Alistair nodded.
Camilla was back, and though he didn't say he was happy, he couldn't stop smiling. "Alright, I'll get it now."
As he walked to the kitchen, he remembered and said, "The food isn't finished yet. I need to hurry and finish cooking."
Bella couldn't help but get up and nag, "Did you make fish again? I told you to let me do it. You never get it right but insist on making it. Let me see how it turned out."
"I saw you watering the plants. We only have three dishes, and with Camilla back, it's not enough. I'll go to the supermarket to buy more."
Bella reminded him, "Remember to buy beef."
"I know, Camilla likes it."
Listening to their voices, Camilla felt warm inside.
She turned to look out the window.
The rain had cleared, and the sky was bright. How wonderful.
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