Chapter 363 Starcrest Hill
Aurelia pressed her lips together and remained silent. She really didn't dare to promise him anything. Over the past few years, she had developed a certain resistance to relationships; her failed marriage had left her deeply scarred.
When it came to love, she held it in awe. She couldn't deny that she had once had hopes, but she no longer dared to try.
Life didn't give people many chances to make mistakes over and over again.
Seeing her silence, Nathaniel gave a self-deprecating smile and changed the subject. "Are you full? If so, let's get going."
Nathaniel called for a driver on his phone. Within a few minutes, the driver called to confirm. The family of four went downstairs, with Nathaniel sitting in the front passenger seat and Aurelia and the two kids in the back. The car was quiet, perhaps because of the presence of a stranger.
The car stopped at the foot of the hill.
Starcrest Hill had a special path for night views, and the steps were well-lit at night. Aurelia walked in front, the two kids followed behind, and Nathaniel brought up the rear.
Halfway up, Dorothy couldn't walk any further and asked her mommy for help. Nathaniel picked her up with one hand. Jacob was also a bit tired but stubbornly persisted because he was a boy.
Nathaniel looked at Jacob's round head and smiled softly. After a few more minutes of climbing, he bent down and picked up Jacob as well, one child in each arm, with Aurelia walking ahead.
This wasn't his first time at Starcrest Hill, but it was the happiest he had ever felt.
The air in the mountains was fresh, and the night had lost the day's stuffiness, with occasional cool breezes. Without having to accommodate the kids' pace, they quickly reached the top.
As Nathaniel had said, the weather was clear, and the night sky was exceptionally beautiful, with many stars visible.
This place was rated the best spot in Imperick for night views, offering a panoramic view of the entire city.
In a bustling metropolis like Imperick, only from this vantage point could one see its tranquility. The neon lights made it look like a square glass palace.
Nathaniel patiently called the kids over and explained the locations of various landmarks: the museum, the zoo, the science center.
Finally, he stood up and looked at Aurelia. "Aurelia, that spot is our home."
It was a spot hidden among countless lights, but he knew it was where the Bloom Villa was located.
Among these thousands of lights, the one that belonged to them had once shone brightly. Now it was dark, and he constantly hoped to relight it.
Aurelia gave a bitter smile. "My home is no longer here."
She was born and raised in Imperick. From her childhood home to the home she had after getting married, everything was destroyed by Chelsea and her daughter. Now, when she thought of home, she felt a myriad of emotions.
She felt that she would just muddle through life like this.
Nathaniel's phone rang; it was a video call from Reed.
Nathaniel answered the call. The place he was in was well-lit, but behind him was pitch black. Reed immediately scolded, "You rascal, where are you messing around this time?"
Nathaniel rubbed his forehead. When had he ever messed around? His image would never improve in Reed's eyes.
"Grandpa, I'm at Starcrest Hill." He waved his phone, pointing the camera at Aurelia.
Reed's tone softened. "With Aurelia, huh? Not bad. Take good care of her and watch out for mosquitoes. You're thick-skinned, but she's not."
Nathaniel's eyelid twitched. His grandpa never missed a chance to criticize him. Sometimes he wondered if he was adopted or if his dad was, because he didn't feel like a real Heilbronn family grandson.
"Grandpa, I brought mosquito repellent."
Reed responded, "I called mainly to tell you to keep an eye on Marcus. He met that girl as I asked, but apparently, he left after just a couple of minutes. How am I supposed to explain that to her family? You two have really embarrassed me!"
Mentioning Marcus, Nathaniel perked up. "Grandpa, did Marcus not come home afterward?"
"No, I had Ted call him, but no one answered."
While they were talking, Aurelia received a message from an unknown number. But from the tone, she knew who it was.
[Aurelia, I was supposed to take you away today, but something came up. Sorry. I'll set another time and let you know once I have the tickets.]
Aurelia felt a chill after reading it. She had blocked Marcus's number and Facebook, so this must be his new or secondary number.
Nathaniel was still on the video call when Aurelia showed him her phone and mouthed, "Marcus."
Nathaniel's attention shifted. After reading the message, his face darkened. It seemed Marcus had no intention of giving up and would keep clinging to her.
The call went silent for a few seconds.
Dorothy shouted, "Mommy, a mosquito bit me."
On the other end, Reed perked up at the sound of the little girl's voice. After a moment, he asked, "You took the kids with you?"
Nathaniel nodded and pointed the camera at the two kids. Dorothy had just been bitten by a mosquito and was scratching her itchy arm. Aurelia knelt down to apply mosquito repellent. Next to her, Jacob was busy weaving something with a piece of grass.
Reed's eyes sparkled. It was his first time seeing his great-grandchildren, even if it was through a screen. After a moment of emotional stability, he scolded Nathaniel again, "Didn't you say you brought mosquito repellent? How did you let the kids get bitten? Were you only thinking about yourself?"
Nathaniel had no strength to argue. He knew that any attempt to defend himself would only lead to more of Reed's scolding.
Reed, not hearing a response, continued, "Where exactly are you? I'll have someone bring a tent. You're tough, but the kids can't handle it."
"Grandpa, there's no need. We'll be heading down soon."
After Nathaniel spoke, there was no response for a while. He thought his grandpa was about to hang up. About half a minute later, Reed reappeared on the screen.
"Don't say anything. I've already sent Ted. Just wait."
Soon, Ted and two others climbed up the path they had taken earlier, carrying a tent, blankets, several baskets of fruit, snacks, water, and a lot of insect repellent.
Nathaniel stood with his hands on his hips, looking at the pile of stuff. It felt like a small move. Besides the food and supplies, there were even toys. Was it really necessary to make such a fuss over a mosquito bite?
Nathaniel recalled his own childhood outings with his grandpa. Once, he had been stung by a scorpion, and his grandpa hadn't been nearly as concerned.
Setting aside whether they needed all this, how was he supposed to carry it all down the mountain after Ted and the others left?
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