Chapter 422
The cat had been gone for over an hour when Martha started to wonder if it had wandered back to the neighbor’s place. But just as the thought crossed her mind, the white Persian limped back into the villa, one paw dragging slightly. Seeing it in that state, Martha couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy. She’d never been one for furry animals, but this clever little thing had a way of charming people, herself included. Injured or not, the moment it caught the scent of fish, it forgot its limp entirely and made a beeline for the platter of meat on the table. Shaking her head, Martha changed her shoes and headed out to buy some ointment from the nearest pet store. But the moment she stepped outside, she ran into the neighbor, again out searching for a missing cat. This time, they were offering a reward: thirty thousand dollars to anyone who found it.
Martha stiffened, guilt creeping up her spine. She didn’t say a word and hurried away. By the time she returned, Joshua was in the kitchen, slicing fruit with practiced ease. The white cat, now full and content, was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep. She hesitated for a moment, then approached him. “Mr. York,” she began, “did you hear that the neighbors lost a Persian cat?”
“No,” Joshua replied without looking up.
“Well… the one you brought home looks a lot like theirs.”
Joshua paused, then gave a small nod. “I see.”
Just then, Bradley arrived at Riverswood Villa. After going over the auction arrangements, Joshua casually asked him to look into the neighbor’s missing cat. It didn’t take long for Bradley to return with an update. “Mr. York, it might actually be their cat. The birthmark matches perfectly.” What was odd, though, was what the neighbor had said. Their cat was usually clingy, rarely ever wandered far. If this really was the same cat, why hadn’t it gone home on its own?
The sun dipped lower, shadows stretching long across the lawn. Evening fell. Shermaine had just returned to Basterel. The moment word got out, both families wanted to see her, Roy’s side included. As the last light disappeared behind the hills, visitors began arriving in twos and threes. Before long, the villa was full of conversation, laughter, and warmth. Jameson, meanwhile, had flown back on a private jet after his surgery. There was no way he was staying in Horington, not after what he’d seen. He’d been attacked by real monsters. That city no longer felt safe. He knew about tonight’s dinner. His mother had mentioned it. But he was also painfully aware that he had no right to be there. Lately, regret had become a constant companion. The more he saw Shermaine’s brilliance, her calm authority, her effortless grace, and the way others admired her, the heavier it weighed on him. He regretted everything: the divorce with Ruth, and being too blind to see what a rare soul Shermaine was.
At dinner, Owen turned to Shermaine with a grin. “Sheary, try the lamb steak. I made it myself, just for you.”
Shermaine blinked, surprised. For someone his age to still step into the kitchen, it was oddly touching. “Thank you, Owen.”
Joshua leaned in and murmured, “Grandpa’s got a thing for lamb lately.” He rarely ate it himself but loved cooking it for others. Stephen, poor soul, had been forced to eat it nearly every day. He was nearly sick of the stuff. Shermaine smiled politely and took a bite. It was a little gamey. She wasn’t a fan, but she chewed dutifully, not wanting to offend. But after a few bites, her stomach turned.
And then it hit her. She might be pregnant. As a doctor, she rarely gave her own body the same attention she gave her patients, but now that she thought about it, the fatigue, hypersensitivity to smell, and nausea after heavy food—it all pointed in one direction. She’d been too busy lately to connect the dots. Still, it wasn’t certain. She’d need to run tests. Thankfully, she could probably handle that herself.
Joshua noticed the slight furrow in her brow. “Grandpa, maybe don’t pile her plate with so much meat. It’s heavy for dinner.”
“Then you eat it,” Owen said, undeterred.
Joshua gave a small smile. “Alright.”
Owen looked at him in surprise. Joshua wasn’t known for having much of an appetite when it came to red meat, but tonight, he made an exception. Typical York men, devoted to a fault, fiercely protective once they fell in love. With Janice chiming in to urge him to eat more, Joshua’s plate was soon stacked high.
“Ruthie, if Jamie starts bothering you again, just don’t give him the time of day,” Janice said casually.
“I know,” Ruth replied with a nod.
Shermaine looked up from her plate. “Wait, what does he want now?”
Janice said, “Apparently he realized just how badly he screwed up. Now he’s thinking about getting back with your mom.”
Shermaine raised a brow, inwardly scoffing, “As if that’s ever going to happen!”
Before she could say anything, Ruth cut in calmly, “That’s not happening. I’m not taking him back.”
Shermaine gave her a small nod of approval. “So, Mom… how are things going with Richard?”
Ruth hesitated. A slight flush crept into her cheeks. “It’s… fine, I guess.”
“He’s a good man. Maybe you should give him a real chance,” Shermaine said gently. Ruth had made mistakes, sure. But they’d come from a place of love, not malice. That mattered. Her eyes drifted over to Ross. In truth, the one most hurt by her absence had been him. And Richard had always known that. He’d carried the guilt for years, and Ross knew it.
Ross finally spoke. “I think Richard’s pretty decent too, Mom. You should consider it.” Richard had let him down once, but if he was willing to spend the rest of his life making up for it, maybe that was enough. Besides, having another dad didn’t sound like such a bad deal.
Ruth’s lashes fluttered ever so slightly. Her voice barely audible, she murmured, “Okay.” Her feelings for Richard had never really disappeared. The quiet years in Jetroina, every mundane moment and fleeting warmth, still lived somewhere in her heart.
Seeing the moment soften, Roy decided to lighten the mood. “Hey Shermaine, want to come with us to the mountain lodge tomorrow?”
“What’s there to do?”
“Plenty. Hot springs, scenery, archery, horseback riding…” Roy gave her a cheeky grin. “Don’t worry, we won’t third wheel. You and Joshua can have yourselves a proper date.”
Shermaine glanced over at Joshua.
He met her gaze. “If you’re up for it, let’s go.”
“You said last time you’d plan the next date.”
“And this is it, funny enough.”
“Well then… I’m in.”
After dinner, Shermaine joined the Jean family for a walk. The air was crisp, the laughter easy. For a brief moment, everything felt peacefully normal. But not for Stephen. Amid the light conversation, his mind drifted back to the woman he loved, now sitting alone in a quiet courtyard, lost in thought.
“Go check on your dad,” Owen said softly. “He doesn’t seem quite himself.”
“Alright,” Joshua nodded.
In the garden, the koi swam lazily through still water. Joshua approached. “It’s chilly out here. You should come back inside.”
Stephen didn’t turn. “Joshua… take care of Shermaine, will you? Don’t be like me. I lost your mother far too young.” The grief never left him, not really. Stephen, now past fifty, still hadn’t healed. That kind of loss lingers so deeply that even time forgets how to dull it.
“I will,” Joshua said quietly.
On the walk back, Shermaine did a quick mental check of her own condition. It was too early to tell. No matter how skilled she was as a doctor, she couldn’t confirm anything. So, just to be safe, she picked up a pregnancy test on the way home. She didn’t tell Janice or anyone else. If it turned out to be nothing, she didn’t want to raise hopes just to crush them. At the pharmacy, she paid, slipped the box into her bag, and left without a word.
Behind the counter, the old pharmacist smacked his forehead just moments later. “Ah damn! It was the expired batch. The new stock’s not in yet!” He rushed outside but the street was already empty.
Back at home, in the privacy of the bathroom, Shermaine took the test. Three times, and all negative. She stared at the results, wondering, “Maybe it’s just stress. Lack of sleep and everything’s been out of balance lately.”