Chapter 3

He frowned, "Mabel, everyone has a past. Could you stop clinging to it and let it go?"

"Besides, we're both at an age where nothing could happen between Nora and me."

"And at our age, announcing a divorce would be laughable. People will gossip about you."

Declan's words seemed to consider my welfare, yet they were continuously faulting me for being immature.

"There's no need, Declan."

"You should go back."

"I keep telling you, there's nothing between Nora and me. Why won't you believe me? Think it over."

Declan left, his expression stern.

I had seen him off to study abroad on a ship.

Sent him off on countless flights for field research.

Every morning, I saw him off to work.

And now, I watched him leave in a huff.

I felt a whirlwind of emotions, an indescribable discomfort.

Yet, I also felt an unusual sense of relief.

I took all my belongings home. He should understand the firmness of my decision this time.

I waited for the lawyer to arrive.

After all, his company was built on the hard-earned money of my parents, whom he regarded as mere merchants.

I waited and waited, but it was my son's family who showed up instead.

As soon as they entered, my son covered his nose in disdain.

"Mom, this place reeks of mold. How can anyone live here? It's covered in dust. Come back with us, okay?"

Even my four-year-old grandson, Theo, mimicked him, covering his nose.

In a sweet voice, he said, "It’s stinky here. Grandma, come back with us."

With that, he tried to grab my hand.

I quietly avoided his hand.

"Why did you bring the child here?"

"Isn't it because of you, Mom? Dad told me everything. Why are you still fussing over this? You're both so old now. Why not just stay home peacefully with Theo?"

"Why do you have to follow the young people's trend of getting divorced? It's a mess."

"I met Aunt Nora. She's honest and straightforward with Dad. There's nothing improper between them."

Declan Junior scolded me thoroughly over the phone.

My expression gradually turned cold.

"So why are you here? To be your dad's messenger?"

His expression paused for a moment. "I'm here to check on you. You moved out in a hurry, with no one to look after you. Of course, we worry about you."

He said that, but his eyes couldn't help but glance around the slightly shabby house, failing to hide his disdain.

My daughter-in-law stood obediently to the side.

"Alright, you've seen me. There's nothing wrong here. You should go back."

Declan Junior didn't say anything, just had Theo come over and hug my leg.

I patted his head.

Suddenly, I remembered, Declan Junior used to be just like that.

He looked so soft and fair. When I stayed up late worrying about making ends meet, working on side projects by lamplight, he would wake up and cling to me.

He'd massage my forehead with tiny hands, promising to buy me a big house and ensure I lived a good life when he grew up.

His hands were so small back then, his words naive, his voice soft.

But now, he's looking at me with impatience, looking at this house with disdain.

He used to love visiting his grandma's house.

Children you raise with your own hands can grow so distant when they grow up.

Let alone a spouse. Maybe it's because I never really understood them.

I pushed Theo back.

Gestured for my daughter-in-law to take the child outside.

She didn't say much, just took the child out.

I looked at the child who was now two heads taller than me.

I felt a bit dazed.

Time flies, and Theo has grown so much.

"When did you meet Aunt Nora?"

My voice was steady, but Declan Junior was impatient.

"Mom! This isn't the time to dwell on that. The company is affected. Can you stop fighting with Dad? He's so old now, and he can't do anything with Aunt Nora. Can't you just see her as an ordinary old friend?"

"Besides, at this age, who doesn't have friends? You're always at home, not interacting with others. You should go downstairs and chat with the neighbors more often. I think you're too idle, that's why you overthink everything."