Chapter 161: Grumpy

After hanging up the phone, Maggie retrieved her luggage and found the spot Mia had mentioned. Climbing into the car, her heart wasn't in it; her mind was still clouded by worry over Nathael's injury.

Mia glanced at her and blurted out, "What's wrong? Got dumped?"

Maggie turned to the alluring woman beside her, with her wavy hair and slip dress. She said flatly, "I'm the one who does the dumping." "Sure, sure," Mia replied, "then why the long face?" If Mia weren't driving, she would have tossed Maggie a mirror.

Mulling over her thoughts, Maggie flipped down the sun visor. Her reflection revealed a beautiful face wearing a desolate expression. She sighed and said, "My baby got hurt. I'm feeling down."

"What baby? Need help fixing it?" Mia asked, her eyebrows arched with curiosity.

Silence followed before Maggie sighed again. "It's Nathael. He can't be fixed."

Mia was speechless. "What happened? A serious injury to a vital part of his body?"

"Yes," Maggie nodded earnestly.

Mia frowned. "That's tricky, especially with that kind of injury."

Lost in thought, Maggie didn't understand Mia's implication. After a while, she asked, "What kind of injury?"

"You said a vital part," Mia said knowingly.

Maggie remained silent.

"If it's that bad, we might need a replacement," Mia advised earnestly, though concerned.

"He hurt his arm," Maggie said exasperatedly, unable to finish her sentence.

Mia was stunned. Realizing the misunderstanding, she asked, "Then why so gloomy?"

Maggie was too exasperated to explain. How important is an arm, anyway? Isn't it crucial? If Nathael lost an arm, how would that be okay?

Mia lived in a hillside villa in Oyster Bay, served by eight servants. When Maggie arrived, the staff stood attentively, their greetings crisp and formal. Unfazed by the display of wealth, Maggie followed Mia indifferently, accustomed to such extravagance.

Mia had arranged an early dinner followed by a spa. After a short nap, Maggie found she wasn't sleepy when she returned to her room. Clad in a silk nightgown, Mia poured two glasses of red wine, handing one to Maggie. "Stop sulking," she said. "Others might think Nathael's dead."

Maggie remained speechless. Couldn't Mia say something nice? That's what she thought when she first met Mia, decked out in shimmering finery, but irritating at first glance.

Maggie was about to sip her wine when her gaze fell on her wrist. She was stunned.

"What's wrong now?" Mia asked.

"I've lost something!" Maggie exclaimed, standing abruptly, her complexion ashen. Her wrist was bare; the red bracelet matching Nathael's had vanished. "When I came back, did you see a red bracelet with a small diamond?" she asked urgently.

"No," Mia replied certainly. "From the moment you got in the car, nothing was on your wrist."

Maggie struggled to remember the last time she'd seen the bracelet. She vaguely recalled it missing since she couldn't reach Nathael two days prior. Her mind had been on Nathael; she must have lost it during the farewells, social obligations, and packing. But when?

Losing the matching bracelet so soon after Nathael's injury left Maggie inexplicably irritable.

Seeing Maggie's eyes redden with frustration, Mia smoothed her hair and said gently, "A matching bracelet? You lost it. No big deal. He's so rich, he can buy you a hundred more to lose every day!"

Maggie was speechless. Mia's words offered no comfort. She exhaled and decided to design a new one herself; perhaps that would be more meaningful.

After setting aside the jewelry Mia had picked out, Maggie sipped her wine and shared her trip abroad. They talked until three in the morning.

In the early hours of the next day, the incessant ringing of her phone woke Maggie. Annoyed, she yanked off her sleeping mask and saw the caller ID: Ronald. She wanted to smash the phone.

With Nathael injured, Maggie was grumpy. She hung up without answering, closing her eyes. Ronald called again soon.

"Maggie, did you get home okay? If you're free, come over. Lucas is back. It's been a while since you two have seen each other," Ronald said soothingly.

Maggie's complexion softened slightly. At least Lucas's return was good news.

Two hours later, Maggie arrived at the Camerons' family home. The ground floor was bustling; the family was happily gathered. Joseph, Vanessa, Olivia, and Madam Cameron were already there.

On an armchair sat a handsome young man in a black hoodie and baseball cap. His attractive almond-shaped eyes, coupled with his single eyelids, gave him a currently appealing look. His skin was fair. Though his expression was stoic, youthful vigor betrayed his feigned maturity.

"Maggie, you've made it! Look who's back!" Olivia said with a feigned delight.

Lucas stood, his gaze on Maggie. A smile appeared on his face. He murmured, "Maggie."

Maggie's eyes brimmed with tears as she laughed lightly, "Welcome back." Welcome back, but not welcome home. This place wasn't their home, nor did it deserve to be.

(The final paragraph is largely unintelligible and needs significant rewriting to be coherent.)