Chapter 61 Family Reunion at the Harpers
Chapter 61 Family Reunion at the Harpers
For the next few days, Brianna didn’t catch a glimpse of Brandon at all.
Brianna felt a pang of regret
‘I shouldn’t have snapped at kim after he’d been working so hard for so long, she reflected. ‘I shouldn’t have said something so harsh. After all these years, we should’ve parted ways peacefully. We should’ve left things on a good note!
Brianna pulled herself together and started cooperating actively with her rehab.
Whenever she wasn’t in rehab, she’d pick up her paintbrush again, getting back to painting.
She poured her journey and everything she’d been through into her creations, channeling it all into her art.
She designed the Thorns series.
The road to becoming a queen was anything but easy.
It was covered in thorns every step of the way.
Through her art, Brianna finally found a sense of calm she’d been missing for so long.
On New Year’s Eve, Brandon finally returned to the villa.
Brandon finally returned to the villa.
She had already packed her things.
She was all set to head over to the Harper family for their New Year’s Eve dinner.
Every year, Brianna would head over to the Harper family for their early New Year’s celebration.
When Brianna saw Brandon, she was genuinely surprised.
‘I wasn’t counting on him to come with me anymore, Brianna thought to herself.
“You’re back?” Brianna asked, taking the initiative to greet him.
“Yeah.” Brandon gave a stiff nod.
His voice was as cold as ice.
“Where’s Kendra?” Brandon asked.
Brianna gave a wry smile.
Ever since that argument between her and Brandon, he’d moved out, and even Kendra started keeping her distance from
her mom.
Kendra stormed off to the Harper family, making a scene as she left.
“She’s over at my Mom’s,” Brianna answered.
Brianna couldn’t help but speculate where Brandon had been these past few days.
He hadn’t been to Caroline’s place at all.
‘So where did he disappear to?’ Brianna wondered to herself.
Brianna had barely started wondering about it when she found herself amused.
She had to laugh at herself.
‘Why am I even stressing over something like this?’ Brianna thought.
Brandon reached out to steady Brianna, offering his arm for support.
“Let’s go get her,” he said.
Brianna nodded and let him guide her.
On the drive over, Brandon and Brianna sat quietly.
After a long stretch of silence, Brandon finally spoke up. “Everything with the Sampson family is handled.” Brianna turned to face him.
After a while, she managed to say, her tone sincere and full of gratitude. “Thank you.”
Brandon looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself, his lips pressed into a thin line.
He was still as aloof as ever, his expression distant and unreadable.
There was an icy aura about him.
Chapter 61 Family Reunion at the Harpers
But Brianna didn’t really mind his coldness.
messed up that night,” Brianna admitted quietly. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. I’m sorry.”
Brandon paused, a momentary stiffness in his posture.
His back tensed, showing just how surprised he was.
He hadn’t expected her to apologize.
Finally, he turned his head to look at her.
His tone eased up a bit.
“I was at fault too,” Brandon said. “You were sick. I shouldn’t have made things harder for you. Don’t take it to heart.”
The two of them met each other’s gaze.
They smiled at each other.
The atmosphere was courteous, yet there was still a sense of distance between them.
After picking up Kendra, the family made their way to the Harper family.
Brianna’s aunt was bustling around in the kitchen with the housekeeper.
Caroline watched her granddaughter and great-granddaughter, noticing how much they’d improved lately.
She felt truly happy from the bottom of her heart.
She lit some kindles.
Then she asked Brianna to join her mother at the small altar to make a quiet offering.
Brianna gazed at her mother’s memorial, feeling a sharp pang in her chest.
Her heart tightened with sorrow.
Her voice was choked with emotion. “Mom…”
She wanted to talk to her mom about everything she’d been through.
She wanted her mom to know that everything she survived made her stronger.
Everything she survived only made her tougher.
Brandon came in, Kendra by his side.
He caught sight of Brianna, tears streaming down her face.
Brandon felt a wave of emotion wash over him.
Brianna looked at him apologetically and gently wiped her tears.
Caroline couldn’t hide her surprise as she watched Brandon and Kendra together.
Brandon had never acted like this during previous family gatherings.
Caroline stayed silent.
Caroline prepared tiny candles for Brandon and Kendra, then softly passed them to the two.
After lighting a candle, Kendra quietly observed the mernorial.
“Who’s Mitch Harper, Mom?” Kendra asked.
“That’s your grandma,” Brianna replied gently.
“Grandma? Isn’t Grandma at Darcy’s place?” Kendra asked.
‘Seriously? Why does she always mix things up?’ Brianna thought. ‘Forget it, she’s just a kid. No point in getting worked up.
Brandon reached out and gently ruffled Kendra’s hair.
“This is your mom’s mom, her name’s Mitch Harper,” Brandon explained.
“The grandma at Darcy’s house is Darcy’s mom,” he added.
Kendra just went, “Oh,” not really sure she understood.
“Where’s your grandma, Mom? I’ve never met her before,” Kendra asked.
“She passed away,” Brandon explained softly.
“Did your mom fall down too, Mom?” Kendra asked. “You almost died when you fell. Did your mom die because she fell too?” Brianna gave Kendra a quick, questioning look.
Chapter 61 Family Reunion at the Harpers
“Who told you I almost died from that fall?” Brianna asked.
Kendra’s eyes darted away, guilt written all over her face.
She waved her hands in a panic.
“No, no, I just guessed!” Kendra blurted out.
Brianna didn’t press the issue.
She knew Darcy must’ve said something to Kendra.
Her gaze turned icy.
Brianna and Caroline left the family shrine, arm in arm, leaning on each other for support.
Brandon led Kendra out into the courtyard, away from everyone else.
He turned to his daughter and asked her seriously.
“Tell Daddy, who told you your mom would die?” Brandon’s tone was firm and direct.
Kendra looked away, her eyes flickering with nervousness.
“No one told me,” she whispered. “I just thought Mom was really badly hurt. Maybe she might die.”
Brandon’s face grew solemn as he looked at his daughter.
“Sweetheart, do you really understand what death is?” he asked.
“It’s like… going to another world and never showing up again,” Kendra mumbled.
Brandon continued, guiding her patiently. “That’s right, sweetheart. Death means someone leaves us for good. They never come back.
“Even if you miss them a lot, they won’t ever return. No matter how much you wish for them, they’re gone forever.”
Kendra tilted her little head, trying to make sense of it.
Suddenly, she burst into tears.
“I don’t want Mom to die!” Kendra cried.
‘I like Darcy, Kendra thought. ‘But I don’t ever want to be without Mom.’
Brandon gently wiped away Kendra’s tears.
“Mom’s not going to die,” Brandon reassured her. “Our family/will always be together.”
Kendra reached out her arms, wanting her dad to pick her up.
But Brandon held back, keeping his distance.
He remained stern.
“Kendra, remember this,” Brandon said, his voice firm. “You’re a Levy. Levys never hurt their own. We always look out for each other. Got it?”
Kendra nodded, still a little confused, but she trusted her dad.
At that moment, Brianna’s aunt called them in for dinner.
Brandon and Kendra headed back inside together.
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