Chapter 1058

Joe’s eyes crinkled at the corners, hinting at a smile. Suddenly, he imagined spending part of each year in Jipsburg City; a welcome change of pace. Living simply with Skylar felt comfortably familiar.

“After dinner, let’s visit Grandma Viola’s. Mrs. Muñoz Senior probably wasn’t mistaken; Grandma Viola must have returned a few days ago,” Skylar suggested, a trace of regret in her voice. She should have come back sooner; then they might have seen Viola. But if Viola had returned days earlier, did that mean someone forced her to write those letters?

The thought, dismissed earlier, now settled uneasily in her mind. The letters’ nightmare references—a past she desperately wanted to forget—left her questioning Viola’s true intentions.

Joe noticed the shift in Skylar’s demeanor. “Are you worried about Grandma Viola?” he asked, sensing more than concern in her voice. A deeper fear seemed to underlie her words. He suspected both she and Alexander were deliberately concealing something, likely connected to Viola.

“Grandma Viola’s getting older,” Skylar admitted, genuine concern coloring her words. “From what Mrs. Muñoz Senior said, she’s been unwell lately. I just… I don’t know if she can care for herself.”

“Don’t worry,” Joe reassured her. “Grandma Viola will take care of herself.”

“Yeah.”

After dinner, they walked to Viola’s house next door. The door was locked, but Skylar had a key. Inside, the yard was meticulously clean, evidence of recent occupancy. Skylar quickly opened the house door.

The interior was as tidy as the yard, filled with Skylar’s childhood memories. The two-story house held many of Viola’s belongings, locked away on the second floor. Skylar possessed the keys. She remembered spending countless hours on that floor, learning antique restoration from Viola.

“Be careful not to touch anything,” Skylar warned. “Grandma Viola set up some traps. You could get hurt.”

Skylar felt at ease, familiar with the place, but Joe, a stranger to the house, needed caution. He nodded, following closely behind. Surrounded by familiar objects, Skylar felt relaxed.

She pointed to a porcelain piece. “I restored that when I was fifteen. My first independent project. Grandma Viola said I had a talent, and I was so happy I couldn’t sleep that night.”

Joe followed her gaze to the seemingly flawless porcelain. Close inspection was needed to detect any previous damage.

“Fifteen years old?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“That’s impressive,” Joe praised sincerely.