Chapter 274 Will You Ever Return?
Nora dialed her mentor's number, her voice steady as she asked, "Professor Lee, I'm considering taking my three children to Lindwood City to attend kindergarten. Do you think the affiliated kindergarten of Lindwood City University would accept them?"
Her mentor, unperturbed by the sudden inquiry, took a moment to ponder. "Nora," he finally responded, "Let me make some inquiries. I'll get back to you."
"Thank you, Professor Lee," Nora replied, her voice brimming with gratitude.
Once the call ended, Nora began to pace her office, her thoughts consumed by her mentor's impending response.
It wasn't long before her phone rang again.
"Professor Lee?" Nora answered promptly.
"Nora, I've spoken with a contact. He's liaised with the kindergarten. Your children can start anytime."
A wave of relief washed over Nora. "Professor Lee, I can't thank you enough."
Her mentor chuckled lightly, "What’s there to thank me for? Is there anything else? If not, I'll hang up now."
"That's all."
Nora ended the call, her heart feeling lighter. She was truly fortunate to have such a mentor. Without his guidance and introductions, she wouldn't have achieved her current success and confidence.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her belongings and prepared to leave her office. As she gazed out the window at the familiar streetscapes, a twinge of reluctance tugged at her heart.
This was her hometown, where she had lived for twenty years. Once she left, she knew that returning would become a rare occurrence. The thought of leaving Houston brought Carter to mind.
She had reloEvellad with her three little ones to Lindwood City. Nora couldn't help but worry about her grandmother. When she arrived home, she found Carter humming a tune while tending to the garden, clearly content. With a slight hesitation, Nora approached her.
"Grandma, I have something to tell you."
Carter turned around, "Nora, you're back. What is it?"
"Grandma, I’m moving to Lindwood City for work tomorrow. I'm planning to take the kids with me and enroll them in preschool there. Would you come with me?" Nora asked.
Carter's smile faltered, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Nora, why suddenly move the kids to a preschool in Lindwood City? Aren't you planning on coming back?" she asked.
Nora paused before answering, "My mentor wants me to assist with medical research in Lindwood City. I believe the educational resources there are superior, so I've decided to transfer the kids’ schooling. As for coming back, it'll depend on how things go."
Carter studied her for a moment before taking her hand. "Nora, is this because your mom's issue is resolved and you don't want to stay here anymore?"
Her grandmother was astute, having guessed half the truth. Nora looked down at her grandmother's weathered hands and remained silent.
"Nora, Houston is my hometown. I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’m staying put. If you need to go, then send me back to the retirement home," Carter suggested, her voice filled with affection.
Nora frowned. "Grandma, what are you talking about? How could I send you back to the retirement home? If you don't want to come to Lindwood City with me, then stay here and keep an eye on the house."
Carter looked at her, seeing the displeasure on her face, her eyes full of tender love. She patted Nora's hand. "Okay, Grandma won't go back to the retirement home. I'll stay here and look after the house for you. But are the kids going to be okay living in Lindwood City with you? Maybe I should come with you to Lindwood City after all."
Nora's expression softened a bit at this. "Grandma, you don't have to worry about the kids. If you want to come to Lindwood City with me, that would be wonderful. But if it's just to help me take care of the kids, you don't need to. You stay here and be the guardian of the home."
Nora understood that older people often yearned for the comfort of their roots. It was understandable that Grandma wouldn't want to leave for Lindwood City. Nora had no intention of revealing to her grandmother that Charles Manson wasn't her biological father. She had already promised that she would let her grandmother join her on her journey to nurture Heaven Road.
So, it was settled. Her grandmother would stay and look after the house. At least, Grandma seemed very happy living here, didn't she?
"Your talk of a 'treasure guarding the home' brings such joy to Grandma, Nora," Carter's voice was rich with affectionate laughter.
Nora's face split into a wide grin. After a few more exchanges, the decision was made.
In due course, Nora found herself ascending the staircase, her mind set on packing her bags.
From their covert position at the top of the stairs, the three little ones had been eavesdropping. As they watched Nora approach, Billy was the first to voice their shared concern. "Mommy, are we changing schools?" he asked.
Nora paused on the landing. "Yes, did you overhear? Tomorrow, we'll all journey to Lindwood City together."
The triplets shared a glance. Samantha, her voice as sweet and creamy as a young child's could be, queried, "Mommy, why must we change schools? Will we never return?"
"Yesterday, I mentioned there's work for me in Lindwood City. After giving it some thought, I realized they have superior educational resources. So, I've decided it would be best for you to study there. We'll still return for holidays and special occasions. After all, your great-grandma is still here, isn't she?"
Samantha's usually cheerful brow creased with worry. "Does this mean I have to say goodbye to my best friends? And I haven't even had my TV performance yet."
Nora's hand gently stroked her head, a pang of sorrow resonating within her. "You'll make new friends, and there will be other opportunities to perform," she reassured her daughter.
If it wasn't a necessity, Nora would never have wanted to uproot the triplets from the environment they had just begun to settle into. She was well aware that frequently changing schools could be detrimental to a child's development. Being an only child could lead to solitude and a withdrawn personality. Thankfully, they were triplets and would have each other for company.
"Alright, you kids go play. Mommy needs to pack," Nora said, unable to bear the sight of their three pairs of dark, saddened eyes. She retreated into her bedroom.
The little ones exchanged glances, their spirits noticeably deflated.
Billy's youthful brow furrowed in thought. "Brother, Mommy must have broken up with Uncle Gordon. That's why she's preparing to take us away."
Alex's small face turned serious, lost in his thoughts.
Tears welled up in Samantha's eyes. "Does this mean I won't see Uncle Gordon anymore?"
Neither brother responded, their faces mirroring their sister's downcast expression.
Samantha wiped her tears away and trudged off to her room, her mind set on calling Uncle Gordon to find out if he was really leaving Mommy. After all, hadn't he promised that he would definitely bring Mommy home? Samantha entered her room and dialed Aaron's number.
As soon as the call connected, she blurted out through her sobs, "Daddy, are you going to divorce Mommy?"
At that moment, Aaron was in his office. Hearing his little girl's tearful voice, he quickly comforted her. "Samantha, don't cry. Who told you I am divorcing Mommy? Didn't I promise you that I would definitely marry Mommy again?"
Samantha sniffled, her voice soft and childlike. "But Mommy is going to take us away from here!"
What!
Aaron's dark eyes narrowed slightly. "Samantha, tell me slowly, what's going on? Why does Mommy want to take you away?"
Samantha tried to compose her thoughts. "Mommy said she has a job in Lindwood City. She mentioned there are strong teaching resources, and she's planning to move me and my brothers there for school."
Just because of that? Or, was she trying to break up with him and that's why she was taking the kids away?
Aaron's slender fingers tapped unconsciously on the desk, his handsome face tightening with tension. "Samantha, don't worry, I'll handle this, okay?"
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