After Sandra left the Zen Highlands, she gave Clarissa another call.
Clarissa would not have anything more to hide since the truth had been laid bare.
“Clarissa, all those rumors out there are pointing at how you’ve forsaken Hilary. I really wanted to clear your name but I was afraid that you might not agree to it. But now that everyone knows the truth, can I clear the air?”
Clarissa still rejected her offer.
“Sandra, to be honest, I do not want to reveal the truth not because I’m hesitant about letting Kayla and James know. I’m just worried about my family, especially Grandma. I don’t want to let her know…”
Sandra wanted to say something but decided to bite her tongue in the end.
Clarissa was a filial granddaughter after all. She was willing to suffer indignation for Catherine.
It was evident that she was treated well at the Quigleys back then. Even though their financials were not too strong, at least she was loved growing up.
“Don’t we have any other choice?”
“Just let it be. I don’t care about what other people say about me. Those are just strangers whom I don’t give a dime about. I only care about those who care about me. Thank you for looking out for me. I’m really doing okay right now.”
“We’re family, Clarissa. You should call me Aunt Sandra, by the way. Mrs. Wynter knows about this too. I guess she will want to meet you.”
“We’ll talk about this later.”
Clarissa hung up the phone and Matthew kept her phone again after she was done.
“Are you really okay?”
Matthew was worried that Clarissa might be distressed after the Smallwoods visited her.
However, it seemed like she was quite calm and composed.
Clarissa’s lips twitched. “Why not? I’m doing great right now. Don’t worry, but…”
Matthew focused on the ‘but’ and asked nervously, “But what?”
“I feel like eating cherries.”
“Hmm?”
Matthew took a few seconds to respond. “Sure, I’ll send someone to get it.”
Then, he hurriedly ordered his people to get the freshest cherries imported from abroad.
Even though it took quite some time, it was the best that they could find in all of D City.
in just one hour, Clarissa clutched the bowl of cherries in her hands as she relaxed and listened to Matthew recite a poem in another language with his baritone voice.
Clarissa was finally regaining her vitality after the commotion caused by the Smallwoods. She ate more during dinner, and started to feel all bored from getting pent up at home all the time.
“Hubby, let’s go hiking tomorrow.”
Her sudden suggestion surprised Matthew.
A helpless smile fleeted across his chiseled face.
“Clare, is it really okay for you to hike?”
“There’s nothing wrong with my body. The doctor said I’m fit as a fiddle. I’ve been staying far too long at home. I want to go out and breathe in some fresh air. I want to go out and play. Hiking is good exercise, you know…”
“It’s great exercise when you’re later into your term. Honey, you haven’t exercised these three months…”
“If we can’t go hiking, then let’s go for a picnic.”
Matthew glanced outside. The spring breeze was refreshing, but it was still cold outside.
“It’s too cold.”
“Can we go shopping then?”
“The paparazzies are still trailing us. It’s way too dangerous.”
Clarissa glared at her husband, all her sluggish manners dissipating into thin air. She no longer looked laggard. It seemed as if she was fully recharged from the long rest.
“Matthew, then what can I do? Tell me!”
Matthew was amused at the return of her former playful self.
He chuckled and circled her into his embrace. However, Clarissa struggled to free herself.
She protested in his embrace. Matthew relented and let her go immediately, fearing that she might put too much strain on herself.
“Clare, how about if we have a picnic and barbeque at our courtyard, hmm?”
“How is this different from staying home? I want some fresh air, and I want to interact with people and enjoy the atmosphere.”
“Ah, we have fresh air. As for people and the atmosphere, hold up…”
Then, Matthew informed a bunch of people to attend a picnic and barbeque at Zen Highlands the day after.
“Great, now we have all the elements you’re looking for. We have people and the atmosphere. I’ve asked them to prepare everything required. You’re going to be able to enjoy the atmosphere tomorrow, but you can’t eat a lot of barbequed stuff…”
Clarissa thought her husband had turned into a nagging old grandmother.
Then, she continued to munch on her cherries and ignored Matthew.
The cherries were snatched away by Matthew suddenly.
Clarissa met his smiling gaze. “Clare, you should stop eating right now. It’s time to rest. Come…”
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