Chapter 24
"Enough." A stern, aged voice cut through the air.
Liora's face shifted, and she rolled her eyes discreetly, but when she turned, she wore a bright smile for her elder.
Matilda, leaning on her cane, slowly made her entrance, her gaze landing on Liora.
She rebuked her sharply, "What was all that nonsense you were spouting? This house is just as much Cecily's as anyone's. What's this nonsense about giving her a room? I thought you were well-behaved. It seems your true colors show when I'm not around?"
Outrage laced the old lady's voice.
The living room fell silent. Elysia, quick-witted as ever, stepped forward to calm the matriarch, "Grandma, please calm down. Mom didn't mean it that way."
The old lady harrumphed heavily, shooting Raphael a stern look as she scolded him, "Raphael, don't forget your roots! Remember how you got everything you have today."
Raphael's face darkened, and just as he was about to retort, he abruptly closed his mouth.
After giving them both an earful, the old lady shrugged off Elysia's supportive arm.
Elysia pouted.
Approaching Cecily, Matilda's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice filled with urgency, "Cecily..."
Cecily looked at her grandmother, who had aged significantly in the past five years. Her eyes moistened as she lowered her gaze.
"Grandma, it's been so long; I'm sorry."
Matilda held her hand gently, patting it as she sighed, "Don't apologize, my dear. I understand you've had your reasons."
A hint of bitterness flickered in Cecily's eyes.
"Cecily, now that you're back, why not stay for good? This is your home too," Matilda said, looking at her with hopeful eyes.
Cecily shook her head, "No, Grandma."
This place was no longer her home; staying would only add to her disdain.
She was just here for her grandmother's sake; otherwise, she would never return.
Elysia moved forward, seeking her own sense of presence, and affectionately took Matilda's hand, "Right, Cecily, come live here so we can take care of you."
"Take care of me?" Cecily scoffed, not bothering to hide her disdain, "Are you actually concerned about my well-being, or do you just want me under your watchful eyes so I'm easier to deal with?"
Elysia's face almost faltered under Cecily's penetrating gaze, "Cecily, I really do mean well."
"Then keep your good intentions to yourself; I don't need them."
Seeing Cecily's resistance, Matilda didn't press her further, "Cecily, at least stay for dinner before you go."
Cecily looked apologetically at her grandmother, "Sorry, Grandma, I have something to take care of later. I'll be leaving in a bit."
Liora snickered, "Mom, don't bother keeping her; she's a very busy person."
Her voice dripped with scorn, which anyone could detect.
Cecily remained indifferent, not wanting to engage in a futile war of words.
Cecily and Matilda spent some time in the garden before Cecily finally took her leave.
...
Back at her own place, Cecily started tidying up her room. She returned in a rush the day before and hadn't had the chance to organize everything.
After tidying up, Cecily took out her sewing kit, carefully placed it into her first-aid box, and then organized some medicines to go with it.
Glancing at the clock, Cecily turned and made her way to the kitchen to whip up a quick lunch for herself.
Darian was at the office during the day, so treatment sessions had to be scheduled after he got off work.
Meanwhile, Griffin had just landed at Silver Frost Capital Airport.
With a pair of trendy shades, Griffin stood at the airport exit, taking in the bustling cityscape.
This was the city his mom grew up in.
Griffin checked his watch, chose not to call Cecily, and instead reached out to Rowan, whom he had exchanged contact information with earlier.
Settling into the car Darian had arranged for him, Rowan picked up the call just in time, "Hey, is this Griffin?"
Feeling a small surge of excitement at hearing his brother's voice again, Griffin replied, "Yeah, it's me, brother. I'd like to meet up with you, is that okay?"
Rowan hesitated briefly before asking, "You're in Silver Frost Capital now?"
"Yeah, and your dad's been giving my mom a hard time. Hmph, he thinks he can get away with that, but I've got a little plan. I want to team up with you, brother. Will you help me?"
Knowing Griffin was tech-savvy, Rowan realized he must have made the video from the night before, "Alright, I'm about to leave school. Where are you? I'll come to you, and we can talk."
"No, no, I've got a ride. Just send me your location and I'll come to you."
"Okay then." Rowan gave Griffin the address. "Be safe."
"Got it," Griffin assured him.
After hanging up, Griffin got into the car Blaise had arranged, gave the driver the address, settled into the booster seat in the back, and opened his laptop. His fingers began instantly flying over the keys.
He hadn't come to cause trouble for his mom; he was making sure he was fully prepared for everything.
...
At five in the afternoon, Cecily found herself in front of the Fitzgeralds’ residence. She hesitated at the doorstep, many thoughts were going through her mind.
She was craving a glimpse of that child, yearning for the answers that weighed heavily on her heart.
What if that child was her son? What then?
And what if he was not? What should she do then?
Darian watched from the upper floor, his gaze sharp through the floor-to-ceiling windows, as Cecily paced back and forth at the doorstep.
What was that woman up to?
Darian gestured dismissively.
Larkin, in the midst of reporting the day's schedule, paused and stepped forward, "Mr. Fitzgerald?"
"Bring the woman at the door inside."
Larkin glanced towards the entrance and nodded, "Right away."
Soon, a servant came out and greeted Cecily politely, "Miss Cecily, please come with me."
Only when the servant appeared did Cecily realize she had been pacing outside for quite some time.
She followed the servant inside. She then looked upwards unconsciously; her eyes then locked with the deep, icy gaze of the man upstairs.
Cecily blinked, but the man had already turned away.
Cecily, trailing behind the servant, inquired as if on a whim, "It's getting late; has the young master returned yet?"
The servant, maintaining a brisk pace, responded, "The young master should have just finished school; someone's gone to pick him up."
Cecily nodded thoughtfully.
She would see him soon.
After stepping through the doorway next to a shoe cabinet meant for guests, Cecily noticed a pair of eye-catching pink ladies' slippers among the uniform array of men's shoes and children's footwear.
Her gaze lingered for a moment before moving on.
The servant stooped to fetch a new pair of slippers out of the cabinet, offering them to Cecily, "Miss Cecily."
Cecily diverted her attention and responded with a slight, appreciative smile, "Thank you."
With her shoes changed, she followed the servant into the living room.
"Miss Cecily, please take a seat here. Mr. Fitzgerald is still discussing work with Mr. Larkin in the study, but he'll be down shortly."
"Okay," Cecily said, setting down her medical bag, "May I look around?"
The servant hesitated briefly before nodding, "Of course, feel free to explore."
Cecily wandered the first floor absentmindedly. Darian was still the same as ever; not a single photo frame adorned his house.
She tried to find just one picture of the child but to no avail.
Darian stood on the second floor, leaning on the railing, his gaze narrowing thoughtfully.
Cecily had been staring at the ground for a while before he spoke up, "What are you looking at?"
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