I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 238

"You guys go ahead," Luke replied flatly.

"It's the New Year. Families are supposed to be together. You didn't celebrate with us last year. You have to stay with your parents this time."

Eleanor sat down, looking fully prepared to launch into a lengthy lecture.

Fearing his mother would drag out her tired complaints about how lonely she was while others enjoyed their grandchildren, Luke didn't argue further. He answered quickly, "Alright."

They stayed in a hotel near the beach. Luke barely went into the water; when he did go out, he just lay on a lounge chair with his eyes closed, soaking in the sun.

On the evening of the fourth day of the New Year, Eleanor suddenly suggested heading back early. "How about we go to Palm Beach for a few days?"

"Sure. You decide."

Luke hadn't cared about this trip to begin with, so the destination made no difference to him.

He went back to his room, packed his bags, and went to his parents' room to wait for them.

Standing at the door, he heard his father ask his mother, "Are you sure? Was it really Sophie?"

"It was definitely her, riding a jet ski with Gavin. It's ridiculous that we'd run into her all the way out here."

Luke stood frozen in the hallway. So Sophie and Gavin were here too.

Eleanor was frantically stuffing clothes into her suitcase, muttering, "I don't know who owes who from a past life between those two."

Turning around, she saw Arthur standing there in a daze and snapped, "What are you standing there for? Pack the bags! We need to leave before Luke sees them and gets heartbroken."

Luke stood outside for another minute before finally knocking. Pretending nothing was wrong, he asked, "Are you ready?"

"Ready, ready. Let's get going."

Eleanor practically sprinted over, grabbed Luke's arm, and pulled him out the door.

For most people, a vacation recharged their batteries. But for Luke, this spring break left him physically and emotionally drained.

After returning from Palm Beach, he caught a cold.

"My son can't afford to lose any more weight."

Eleanor was sick with worry, watching Luke pick at his food with no appetite.

She had been trying all sorts of new recipes for him. Every time she asked if it tasted good, he said yes, but he still barely ate.

Most couples who had lost their affection for each other, like Harold and Victoria, preferred to maintain the hollow shell of a marriage and live separate lives.

Arthur shook his head. The two of them hated and despised each other so much that they couldn't even pretend to be a fake couple anymore.

He made a special trip to Boston to visit Harold.

Harold was in good spirits, describing himself as a gecko dropping its tail—a temporary sacrifice for a better life.

It didn't take long for Arthur to find out the reason behind Harold's good mood.

In December, he heard from his old colleague that Harold had transferred five percent of his shares to his grandson.

Sophie was a mother now. It was time for his son to move on.

Arthur intentionally called Harold while Luke was in the room. "I heard you've been promoted to grandfather. Congratulations."

He smiled, holding the phone while glancing sideways at Luke. He noticed Luke's hand completely freeze as he was turning a page.

Severe illnesses require drastic remedies. Hopefully, his son would finally let it go.