Leaning against the car, Cayden felt his body burning up. The tightness in his pants was torturous.
He frowned and took out his cigarette and lighter from the car. After lighting the cigarette, he took a deep puff. All he could do now was to suppress his physical urges with smoking.
His inky eyes stared at the dimly lit room.
It had been a number of years since anyone last stayed in that room. As such, no curtains had been installed. Cayden stared at the room until she turned off the lights.
Avery did not have a good night's sleep.
Neither did Cayden for the first half of the night. Coming back to a small town had invoked some past memories for him.
Both the good and bad memories came swarming vividly into his mind.
Around five in the morning, Avery's head hurt so badly that she woke up.
Sleeping in an unfamiliar place was not the main reason. It was actually because of what Allie had said.
Avery even had a nightmare.
She dreamed that Allie wanted her to leave Cayden and threatened her with death.
Avery got up and folded the blanket before going over to Blake's room.
When Blake saw his granddaughter walking in, he asked, “You're up early. Why don't you sleep for a while more?”
“I usually wake up at around this time.” Avery went over and placed her arms around Blake's neck. “Grandpa, I won't send you over to Dad's place. He has gone away for work and won't be back for quite a long time. So come and stay with me first.”
Blake did not notice the sad look on her face. He patted her hand and said, “I know you're a filial child, but you're about to get married. If I go with you, I will only be a burden to you.”
“No, taking care of you isn't a burden at all. My in-laws will be more than happy to know that I am a filial person. If they want me to be an ungrateful and unfilial person, then I won't marry into that family,” said Avery with a smile. However, there were hints of tears in her eyes.
Perhaps, she was not in a good mood when she woke up. That was why she felt empty.
It was as if she had lost something important.
Cayden walked in through the front door, and Avery saw him carrying coffee and donuts.
“Grandpa, let's have breakfast.” Avery bent down and put Blake's shoes on for him.
She then helped him into the kitchen.
Cayden kept Blake accompanied by eating and chatting with him.
On the other hand, Avery gobbled down her food and rushed to pack Blake's things.
It was then she realized that Blake's daily necessities were not worn out at all. In fact, some of them were from international brands that she would not have bought for herself even though she was earning a living.
Huh... his bags are all from Prada.
The man that Alina had married was known to be pleasant and generous. When he brought Alina and Blake with him to stay in Jetroina, their living conditions were above par. That fact was apparent judging from the branded bag.
After enjoying a few years of a pleasant life, Blake must have been depressed when he had to come back to this poor, shabby town.
Once Avery had packed Blake's things, she helped him to change his clothes and got into the car.
One neighbor who had woken up early spotted them and asked, “Old Mr. Rumpley, where are you going?”
Avery immediately recognized that annoying neighbor, and she replied on her grandpa's behalf, “I'm taking Grandpa to my house.”
With that, Avery slammed the car door shut.
Irked, that neighbor yelled, “Oh, are you taking your grandpa to the city to enjoy a good life? Hmph! Don't be like your Aunt Alina now. She had to send Blake back here after a while. Your Aunt Alina became so arrogant after marrying a rich man, but in the end, she was chased away and had to come back here. The way I see it, all the daughters from the Rumpleys lack the luck to enjoy luxurious lives.”
Avery ignored the horrible comment from the neighbour.
Meanwhile, Cayden was in the house and taking the bag out when he heard the commotion.
Noticing that his expression was darkening, Avery went up and stopped him. She looked up into his frosty eyes and urged him, “Don't bother with this kind of people.”
Cayden said angrily, “Such poor manners!”
“Don't expect good manners from the unreasonable neighbors here.” All of a sudden, Avery gave Cayden a hug.
The thought of meeting Allie had soured her mood.
On the way back to Ackleton, Blake asked Avery, “Where is your dad working? He didn't mention anything when I spoke to him a few days ago.”
Cayden glanced at Blake and Avery through the rearview mirror.
Avery started to panic and said, “Maybe he didn't want to worry you. That's why he didn't tell you. Actually, he isn't working too far away. But there won't be any holidays in a short time, so he won't be able to return to visit us.”
“What kind of work is he doing? Will it be too tiring for him?” Blake was worried about the health of his son.
Avery was racking her brain to think of a job that did not sound tiring.
Just as she was pondering on her reply, Cayden cut in and said, “He works in an office as a supervisor. He will go to the factory to do a safety inspection once a week. Overall, it's considered a relaxing job, and the pay is quite good too.”
When Blake heard that, he was delighted. “That sounds like a good job!”
Avery looked at Cayden gratefully.
After two hours of journey, they finally arrived in Ackleton.
Avery had contacted Nina the previous night and asked her to rent a house with two rooms for her in Ackleton.
When Nina asked for the reason, Avery told her about Blake's situation.
Nina was aware that Avery had been brought up by Blake, so she told Avery there would be no need to rent any house because she would be moving back home.
The truth was after Nina had moved out, her mother had been swindled by Milana. If Nina did not go back home soon, both Zayne and her mother might end up giving the house to Milana.
Avery helped Blake up the stairs and saw that Nina was in.
“Grandpa, Ery always talks about you. When she first came here to attend school, we were in the same class and even shared the same table. Whenever she thought of you, she would bawl out in tears,” said Nina with a smile.
After chatting with Blake for a while, Avery dragged Nina into the kitchen.
Avery asked, “Are you really moving back? Why haven't you mentioned this before?”
“I wanted to, but you went back to your hometown. To be honest with you, I have no idea how to tell you because I have promised to stay together with you. Yet now, I'm leaving you all alone. It's a good thing that your grandpa is here now.” Nina patted Avery's shoulders.
Avery fell silent.
“What's wrong?” Nina sensed that something was off with her friend. Hmm.. something seems to be bothering her, and by the looks of it, it's something serious.
To prepare for her meeting with Allie, Avery did not allow Cayden to come upstairs. She even told him that she was not going out in the afternoon because she wanted to keep Blake accompanied.
In the end, Cayden had no choice but to leave for the office.
Avery told Nina, “I need to go out for a while. It shouldn't take long. Can you help me to look after my grandpa until I get back?”
“Sure, no problem.” Nina eyed Avery with a weird expression before asking, “This isn't like you. Is everything okay? You don't look too good...”
“I'm fine. Don't worry.” With that, Avery left.
Twenty minutes later, Avery was seated at a nearby café facing the elegant and charming Allie.
“Do you want to know who and where your biological mom is? Forget it. I'll just get straight to the point. You are my daughter.”
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