"Oh, your worries are very reasonable," Grace said, nodding. "Looks like you have already thought it through. All right then. I admit that I was a little anxious. However, I sincerely hope that all of you can take good care of yourselves. If there is anything you need me to do, just let me know. I can help you deal with things that you can't while you're in England."
Ernest thought for a while, then shook his head. "There isn't anything. I think she can handle everything herself. Leah's a capable woman with clear boundaries. She's great."
Ernest decided that he would inform the hospital about Leah's father himself. He had the contact of the doctor he spoke with previously, so he could call him and ask about Leah's father's condition.
From the looks of it, Leah should be able to handle everything else by herself.
Even though he wanted to help, he thought it best not to interfere in Leah's affairs too much.
Seeing how confident and calm he was, Grace did not intend to meddle in his affairs any further. She asked, "Will your girlfriend send you off tonight?"
"I told her that it wasn't necessary. I was worried that she wouldn't be safe on her way back, so I refused."
Grace was surprised at his answer. "Is she okay with that? Don't you think that you're being a little too arbitrary? What if she really wants to send you off?"
"Mom, she's not as superficial you make her out to seem. She won't sulk or throw a fit; she's considerate."
Listening to him praise his girlfriend once more, Grace was really looking forward to meeting her.
She had to be a really outstanding young woman to capture Ernest's heart.
Grace looked at Ernest. At first, she thought that he had an interest in Celeste, so she had gotten a little worried. As the thought crossed her mind, she asked him directly, "Ernest, what about you and Celeste?"
"What about us?" Ernest replied, looking at his mother calmly.
Grace paused and pondered for a while.
In truth, she already regretted asking the moment she opened her mouth.
Ernest guessed what she meant. He was a little caught off guard, but then he said bluntly, "Mom, you're overthinking. There's nothing between Celeste and me. She seemed quite pitiful before, which was why I was concerned about her."
He paused, then continued, "However, I have a girlfriend now. I'm sure that Leah is someone I want to spend my whole life with. I really don't think there's anything worth mentioning about Celeste and me because nothing has ever happened between us."
He added, "All I know is that she is my brother's woman. No matter what happens between Gary and her, she'll always be like a sister-in-law to me. That's all."
Hearing Ernest being so honest and direct, Grace nodded and said, "This is the last time I'll mention it. I won't mention it ever again. I was only worrying because I thought you liked her."
"I do like Celeste quite a lot, and I sympathize with her very much too. Perhaps it would be better to say that I sympathize with her more than I like her. But there's no need to talk about that anymore. It's only natural to experience these silly emotions at the first awakening of love. Mom, I'm sure you know what I mean," Ernest said nonchalantly. It seemed that he had gotten over those feelings a long time ago.
Grace nodded. "Ernest, you're getting more and more mature. I'm so happy for you. Come on, let me help you pack your things."
Then, the two of them went upstairs together.
By the time they finished packed, it was already dark. There was no time for Ernest to eat before it was time to head to the airport.
Grace and Heinz were both worried about him, so they personally sent Ernest to the airport.
As Grace watched Ernest waving goodbye to them at the airport, her eyes turned a little misty.
Heinz hugged her and said teasingly, "Why are your eyes red?"
"I suddenly remembered him as a child. He left me as soon as he was born. I didn't really take extra care of Ernest all these years, so I feel sorry to him," Grace said, suddenly feeling a little emotional. Her son was all grown up and had fallen in love. Even so, she was still worried about him getting on the plane alone.
Heinz patted her shoulder and said, "It's all right. That's all in the past, and Ernest doesn't blame you."
"Precisely because of that, I feel even more guilty. Whenever I think about it, I feel terrible."
"Look at you. You're overthinking again," Heinz chided gently as he watched Ernest's retreating figure. Then, he turned and said assuringly, "Like all loving mothers, you're too worried about your son. Come on, let's go back."
Grace nodded.
The two of them turned around and walked out of the departure lounge together.
After Grace had calmed down, she dabbed at the corners of her eyes. Fortunately, the tears had not rolled down her cheeks. She took a deep breath.
At that moment, she happened to look up and saw a gorgeous, slender young woman standing about twenty yards away from them. She was wiping her tears as she alternated between smiling and crying.
Because of that, she looked rather strange but also rather eye-catching.
Grace could not help but steal a few more glances at the girl.
After the young woman finished wiping her tears, she seemed to have noticed them. She froze, then nodded at them before turning away.
She was moving stiffly as if she was embarrassed about being caught.
Grace said, "That girl is gorgeous, isn't she? She's probably here to send someone off. She expressed her emotions so vividly by crying and laughing at the same time."
So that's what it's like to marry the right person. Leah thought with a sigh.
Grace was so elegant and gentle, and Heinze was even more so. He treated his wife as if she was a precious treasure.
Since Ernest was their son, he must surely be a gentleman too.
The thought brought a smile to Leah's face.
Grace seemed to have sensed something. She scratched her head, turned around, and saw the woman with vivid expressions staring at them from a taxi. It seemed that her eyes were filled with longing and admiration.
Grace was surprised. "Hmm?"
Leah was stunned too, and she felt guilty. Had Leah been discovered? Did Ernest show his parents her photo? Did they recognize her? Leah wondered.
She calmed herself down and smiled gracefully at Grace. No matter what, a gentle smile could not go wrong.
Grace smiled too. "What a coincidence, young lady. It's you again. Are you here to send someone off too?"
Even though they were in different cars, she still greeted Leah.
Upon hearing this, Leah could tell that Grace still did not know who she was yet.
Leah secretly let out a sigh of relief. "Yes. Auntie, you're gorgeous."
"Thank you," Grace answered with a smile. "You're beautiful, and you look well-mannered. You're here to send someone off secretly, aren't you?"
Grace had a feeling that she had stood so far away from the boarding gates because she had secretly gone to the airport without the person who was boarding the plane knowing.
Leah was caught off guard that could only nod in embarrassment. "Yes. I was sending a friend off. He was worried that it wouldn't be safe, so he didn't let me come. But I still came here secretly."
Grace was astonished. She thought of Ernest, then looked at Leah. Just as she was about to say something, the traffic light turned green.
Leah hurriedly waved goodbye, and the taxi sped off.
Grace still had questions she wanted to ask, but it was impossible now.
She signed, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "I wonder what Ernest's girlfriend looks like. Would she have secretly come to send him off too?"
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