It couldn't possibly be Norah returning so soon, and I was worried it might be Neil again, so I took a peek through the peephole first.
Ryan and Faith were on the doorstep, looking anxious and worried.
Why would they come over?
I opened the door, and Faith immediately grabbed my hand and anxiously asked, "Irene, are you okay? Neil said a murderer broke into your house last night and nearly hurt you. I was scared to death!"
"Faith, I'm okay, thanks to Neil who came to see me. Otherwise, something might have really happened." I felt warm that Faith's concern was heartfelt, not feigned.
They didn't even need to make a special trip to see me.
Ryan also looked very serious. "Irene, you should have a few people stay at home. You have two kids who need care. I heard your parents are not around, so you need someone to help you share the burden!"
I nodded awkwardly and said, "Yes, I know. I'll hire a couple of nannies these few days to ensure safety."
After inviting them in for tea, I ushered Serena and Brandon into the living room.
There was still a faint smell of blood in the yard. Faith frowned when she smelt it. "I can't bear to imagine what happened last night. Neil finally did something right!"
"He was hurt too, on his left forearm." I reminded her.
Faith nodded and said, "I know, but he's a grown man. A little injury won't kill him. And he has Karina, doesn't he?"
I must say, Faith's love for her son was unique.
Neil's injury needed stitches. I wonder if he went to the hospital afterwards. If it got infected later, it would be a real hassle.
Today, without Karina here, Faith cheerfully picked up Serena, while Ryan held Brandon. They both had always wanted me and Neil to get back together, so they were very straightforward.
"If only these were Neil's kids. We could each hold one. Hiram only came back to us when he was this big. We never saw him when he was a baby!"
"Yeah, but Irene's children are our grandchildren. It's all the same!"
Listening to their conversation without any hint of avoidance, I couldn't quite describe what I was feeling. They made me feel guilty for hiding the truth.
Suddenly, Faith remembered something and asked, "Oh, Irene, didn't you have something to tell us on Hiram's birthday? I was out with a friend then. You can tell me now."
She even shot Ryan a look, making him shift his gaze awkwardly.
Why did Neil ask me this question, and now Faith?
I hesitated, remembering Hiram's nervous and scared expression. I didn't have the heart to.
What kind of person Karina was and whether the Whitmore family could accept her were their family matter. But sometimes Karina insisted on dragging me into the mess, which I found repugnant.
"Irene, come here." Faith beckoned me with a serious face, leading me to the bedroom, leaving Ryan in the living room with the kids.
The only one I felt sorry for was Hiram. He had such a radical and scheming mother who used him as a tool.
Children are innocent.
And I couldn't understand why Karina would treat her own child so cruelly.
"How can I not get worked up? You should know that I gave her a chance only for the sake of the child. But I didn't expect her to be so cruel to Hiram. I knew those bad habits of Hiram's had to come from somewhere!" Faith patted her chest, feeling like she was going to faint if she got any angrier.
Before I could say anything, Faith took out her phone and called Neil. Without saying much, she ordered him to come over immediately.
While waiting for Neil, Faith called Ryan in and repeated everything I had just told her.
Ryan had been a titan in the business world for years, a man of influence and power, never imagining he would almost stumble so badly over this issue!
His face was ashen, not uttering a single word.
I was quietly sitting at the side, allowing them to process their emotions at this moment.
About half an hour later, Neil arrived. His arm was freshly bandaged, and I could tell the knot in the bandage was different. The room was thick with tension, and he sensed it immediately, his voice heavy, "What's going on?"
"Neil, if you still consider me your mother, drive Karina away right now. I only want Hiram, not that woman as my daughter-in-law!" Faith's emotions surged, her words filled with disdain for Karina.
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