Chapter 18

Preston saw Cedric’s post, too. He was filled with a profound sense of emptiness as he stared at one corner of the photo, where a hand wearing a ring could be seen. That ring was supposed to be Preston’s, and the soup was supposed to be made for him, too. Yet, what he used to have was no more. Preston was left with nothing but himself and his loneliness.

Preston wondered what exactly went wrong, but he could not find the answer. The only thing he could do was drink himself into a stupor to vent his frustrations.

As Preston started feeling tipsy, those forbidden thoughts he had tried to push to the back of his head returned. Eventually, he began making phone calls to Jolene. The line finally went through on his fourth attempt. Preston could only hear a faint breathing sound next to his ear.

His mind was hazy as he listened. Preston’s voice was low and strained.

“Jo, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have neglected you time and time again. I’m sorry. I know you still have feelings for me. You married Uncle Cedric just to annoy me, right? Can you divorce him and come back to me? I promise that I’ll make it up to you by giving you the wedding, the ring, and your wedding gown. I’ll give you all of my heart…”

Preston mumbled in a low voice, sharing thoughts and feelings he’d been unable to express before. Curiously, no sound came from the other end of the line. The unsettling silence made Preston anxious.

“Jo, why aren’t you saying any…”

“Honey, where’s the hair dryer?”

Preston subconsciously held his breath when he heard the faint yet familiar voice. He heard Cedric’s voice clearly, as if the latter were standing beside him.

“Hold on. I’ll fetch it for you.”

After giving that gentle reply, Cedric suddenly used an icy tone.

“Preston Norwood, what you should be doing now is talking to the authorities instead of causing more inconveniences for your Aunt Jolene, whom you’ve hurt multiple times before.”

The disconnected tone followed as Cedric hung up. Preston could feel his heart sinking into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Cedric was blowing Jolene’s hair. Jolene applied her face moisturizer and asked, “Did someone call me just now?”

Cedric nodded and told her frankly, “Preston got drunk again and blabbered a lot of nonsense on the phone. I scolded him on your behalf.”

Jolene couldn’t quite visualize Preston being scolded. Yet, a strange sense of superiority rose in her as she thought about being Preston’s aunt.

Jolene couldn’t help asking, “You sound like you’ve scolded him quite often. Aren’t you just six years older than him, though?”

Cedric smiled faintly as he took in the curious look on Jolene’s face.

“Preston was a naughty kid back when he was still attending kindergarten. He once pulled the chair away, causing my dad to fall. My dad was admitted to the hospital for two weeks because of a bone fracture. I punished Preston severely that time. Since then, he’s always been wary of me, like a mouse is of a cat.”

Jolene finally understood why Preston acted like that around Cedric. He was traumatized by past experiences.

“So, he’s that scared of you. What do you think of him, though?”

For a moment, Cedric’s hands stopped moving. His eyes reflected his mixed emotions. After a long pause, Cedric answered pensively, “He’s too immature and impulsive. I can’t entrust him with important tasks or responsibilities.”

It was an objective assessment of Preston.

Jolene was amazed by Cedric’s precision and perceptiveness. She became curious about his opinion of her. This time, Cedric paused for a longer time.

“You’re smart, decisive, and rational. Most importantly, you have a good eye for things.”

After having lived two lifetimes, this was Jolene’s first time hearing someone describe her with those words. However, only she knew how much blood and tears she had shed to learn her lessons. Being given the cold shoulder during her seven-year-long marriage, her daughter’s tragic death, being confined to her sickbed—a sad and frustrating life…

Even though that was all in the past, thinking of it still made Jolene feel desolate. She leaned against Cedric’s chest and listened to the sound of his heartbeat. She managed to process and make peace with those emotions.

They were getting a fresh start.