Chapter 857
Holding his hand, standing on that familiar road, her heart was filled with mix feelings.
Back in the day, she had always dreamt of bringing her holding hands with her boyfriend to meet her parents. She imagined having her own family with her parent's blessings, her happy-ever-after.
Two people, three families, living a peaceful life together.
Standing there felt like a step into the past, yet it was not the same as before.
Out of the corner of her eye, as she noticed the tall figure that stood next to her, her red lips couldn't help but curve into a smile. A belated love and happiness. It made her treasure it more.
All too soon, her footsteps brought her to a stop in front of a familiar iron gate. It was once a detached villa. The seal on it had been taken down. It looked the same as ever.
Standing in a daze, Alicia unconsciously reached out her hand, then froze. Her lips parted as a memory assaulted her.
In the past, whenever she returned home, she would always get out of the car then rush to the door. She would always raise her hand, throw her bag inside and shout, "Mom, I'm back!"
Her mom would without fail hurry out of the house to pick her up with a smile on her face. When she grew older, her mother could no longer carry her like before. Instead, on weekends, she would always crane her neck at the door to look out for her. When she saw her, she would always show a happy smile on her face.
Such a simple action. Repeated over many years!
Back in the day, she never thought deeply about it. But at that moment, Alicia suddenly felt so happy.
Back then, her life was easy. There was really nothing to worry about. She had her parents and brother by her side. She would always approach her mom whenever she returned home. While her dad would always say, "What about me!" But he would be smiling and he would hug her. Then he would prepare food and toys for her as usual.
Standing in front of the house she lived in for years, Alicia couldn't control the emotions and feelings in her heart.
That was her home! But now...
An inexplicable sense of loss came to her mind. She turned around and closed her eyes, "Let's go!"
It was said that seeing an object would make you think of the people related. At that moment, her throat and eyes were full of bitterness.
As soon as she moved to step away, Frederick grabbed her waist and asked, "Don't you want to go in and have a look?"
Alicia shook her head as she choked back her sobs. That place was no longer her home! It hasn't been her home for a long time.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
"But we're already at the door..."
Frederick stroked the hair on her temples and slowly turned her body back.
"No, no need for such trouble! We shouldn't disturb the people there. Maybe I'll feel even more uncomfortable if I go inside..." What if it is a scoundrel who's living inside? What if the only wholesome memory of her home was destroyed completely? She might as well not enter it ever again!
He wrapped his arms around her waist and lightly pushed her to the door.
"How do you know if you don't try?"
Frederick held her hand and knocked on the door. Immediately, a familiar voice sounded from the room, "Who's there?"
Her body froze and tears welled up in Alicia's eyes. Was she dreaming? Why did it sound like her mom's voice?
As she stood there, dumbstruck, a familiar figure came out of the house. Seeing them, Mrs. Blanchard's eyes turned red too. "Ally, Frederick, you are back! Why didn't you call me beforehand?"
"Mom..."
A dull outcry sounded from her mouth. Alicia blinked at the sight. "You...?"
Why was she there? What the hell was going on?
Was she dreaming?
Unintentionally, Alicia glanced at the door number then back to the woman in front of her again. She also pinched herself hard. As she felt a blast of pain, her tears fell.
"Mom!"
"Hey!" Holding Alicia's hand, Mrs. Blanchard nodded heavily, "Silly girl, we're already at the door, what are you waiting for? Come on, let's go in! Frederick..."
They entered with their hands clasped together. Along the way, they chatted non-stop. Frederick followed behind them.
As soon as they entered the door, Alicia saw her dad standing with the help of crutches, his wheelchair placed near the sofa. As their eyes met, Alicia instantly burst into tears.
"Dad? Dad, you're back? You can stand up?"
As she rushed forward, Alicia tripped and fell to the ground. At the same time, Mr. Blanchard was choked with sobs saying, "Ally..."
"Get up first!"
Mrs. Blanchard helped Mr. Blanchard back to the wheelchair, as Frederick helped Alicia up and led her to the sofa.
Alicia sobbed and said in uncontrollable excitement, "Dad, when did both of you return? What happened? What about this house? I'm so happy to see you at our home..."
"It was all my fault! It's all my fault you were forced to leave home! It was I who had caused all of this!"
"Dad, Mom, I missed you so much!"
For a long time, Alicia laughed and cried. Mr. Blanchard and Mrs. Blanchard couldn't control their emotions either. Even Frederick was deeply touched by their reunion. Without words, he could feel the sincerity and selfless love from their actions.
"Why didn't you tell me that you guys were back? And why did both of you return to Bayton City? How did you live here? Does my brother know about this? And what about dad's sickness? And this house..."
Smiling at each other, Mrs. Blanchard explained.
"Frederick bought this house and renovated it! He said he wanted to give you a surprise. He arranged a flight last week, and Nicholas came to pick us up personally! Your dad and I are relieved to see both you and Nicholas live such a great
e
Your father is getting better now and he has been getting good treatment lately. Now, he just needs time to recover slowly! There are servants to help us with chores. Mrs. Andrews and Aunt McGowan would visit us to help too! This house is, at last, the ancestral home for the Blanchard family. Although it was left empty, your dad and I have been living together here for nearly 30 years. We didn't think that we could get an opportunity to come back again! This is the home that I missed the most! Our last wish is to retire here."
Glancing at her husband, Mrs. Blanchard continued.
"From now on, I'll be living here with
your dad. We will have enough food to eat from our own garden. I don't need too many people at home. It's fine, I'll slowly familiarize myself with living a simpler life. There are also some old neighbors
dust
we are familiar with. Whenever there
are any celebrations or festivals, both of you can come back and stay
for a few days if you want! That would be a perfect plan!"
"Thank you, hubby!"
She was so touched that she couldn't hold back her tears. He raised his hand and caressed her hair. He couldn't stop the flash of sorrow that hid
behind his smiling eyes.
"Silly girl!"
"This is your hometown, and it is
also the place where your parents used to be. will arrange everything with Nicholas. This place is great for recovery. It's even convenient for your dad to walk around. You can come back at any time! Who your dad feels better, we can also bring them to Casterwich City if they like. Casterwich City and Bayton City are both our home!"
Bayton City was a place filled with her memories. Moreover, it was safer for both of her parents to live there instead of Casterwich City. Casterwich City still had much to clean up.
As the old saying went, "even the mighty dragon is no match for the native serpent." Anyone who dared to lay a finger on her would have to hold back and not act rashly in Bayton City, a place that they were unfamiliar with.