Exposing the Charade of Deep Affection (PDF) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 Carley Pushes for a Divorce

I went back to the Hinton’s old home.

Carley and Kane Hinton, Walter’s grandpa, went into business about fifty years ago, thriving the Hinton family ever since, so it was kind of prestigious now. Kane died of illness a few years ago, and Carley was now the only elderly in the Hinton family, and the rest relatively elder people were Walter’s several uncles and aunts, and his uncles were supposed to run the Hinton Group.

Yet after Kane passed away, Carley nominated Walter to take over. I heard that Walter’s father died a few years earlier due to a certain reason. Perhaps the Hinton family was so sad that hardly anyone talked about him. I wasn’t gossipy, so I didn’t pry.

The Hinton’s old home was in the suburbs. When the national economy rose back then, Kane bought a lot of land and hills. Later, he had someone to build several houses, designed with mountains, water, and gardens. Carley had lived here after Kane died, along with Walter’s uncles and aunts.

I followed Dale into the old house and came to Carley’s residence after walking through a courtyard and a lake. Carley was listening to a play in a pavilion in the courtyard with some of Walter’s aunts and some younger generation of the Hinton family.

The Hinton family had a lot of rules. Since Carley didn’t speak, I wouldn’t open my mouth. I stood quietly and watched the play with her.

The melodies and rhythms of the play were lively and light, and Carley smiled and hummed along.

After the play was over, Carley looked at me with her usual kind, gentle appearance. “You’re here, Tabatha. Have a seat.” After saying that, she looked around at the younger generation sitting around and said, “Alright then. You have sat with me for so long, and I believe that you’re all tired. Go back to rest.”

Hearing that, the others left.

Only me and Carley were left in the pavilion. She looked at me, held the bracelet in her hand, and fell silent for a while. Then she said, “I received something today, Tabatha. Would you like to take a look?”

Ever since I had walked in here, I had a feeling that something was wrong. I didn’t know what was going on, but I still nodded and smiled, “Grandma, what is it?”

She looked outside, and Dale came in and placed a kraft paper bag in front of me.