Chapter 12

Not long after, Julie heard her brother, Jake, exclaim, “Mom, I’m getting the limited edition one next time. It’s not expensive either. It’s only a little over a hundred thousand dollars.” Mandy replied dotingly, “Okay, baby. As long as you like it, I’ll get it for you.” “Thanks, Mom! I knew you were the best!” “You’re my son. What’s mine is yours. Who else would I spoil, if not you?” “I love you, Mom.” Jake affectionately took Mandy’s hand and started acting like a little puppy.

Julie watched their interaction silently. She wasn’t surprised. Mandy had been kind to Julie as a child, so much so that Julie once mistakenly believed Mandy favored sons. She often felt it was unfair to Jake. This remained the case until something happened to George and their family, and the company fell into Mandy’s hands. Afterward, Mandy treated Julie indifferently. The bias Mandy had shown Julie previously was an act.

When Mandy spotted Julie in the living room, surprise flickered across her features, quickly masked. “Jules? What brought you here?” Julie stood. Before she could speak, Jake ran to her excitedly, hugging her. “You’re finally home, Jules! I’ve missed you so much!” Julie stood dazed, letting him hug her. Actually, Julie and Jake had a close relationship. Even though she hadn’t returned home in years, she’d been meeting Jake privately. She tousled his hair. “You’re turning eighteen soon, and you’re still behaving this way. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Jake didn’t mind. “What’s there to be embarrassed about being clingy with my sister? Jules, why don’t you just stay here for the night?” Mandy looked at them calmly. “That’s enough, Jakey. Take your things to your room. I’m going to have a chat with Julie.” Jake, remembering his purchase, was about to show Julie when Mandy gave him a warning look. Reluctantly, he carried the shopping bag upstairs.

Mandy smiled and casually instructed Jenny in the kitchen, “Jenny, get the grapes we got from Royal Orchard and wash them.” Then, she pulled Julie aside. “So? Did they say anything while you were at Peyton Residence?” Still acting the loving mother, she reached for Julie’s hand, but Julie subtly avoided it. Mandy looked hurt. “Jules, are you still mad at me?”

Julie avoided the topic. “Mom, I went to the hospital today.” Mandy froze, seeming to understand. Choking back sobs, she said, “I’ve no other choice. The company’s not doing well, and your brother’s starting university next year. We’re going to need a lot of money.”

“Even if that’s the case, you can’t have people transfer him to Emerald Sanatorium. That’s where people go to die.” “What can I do? I’m just a woman. Do you think it’s been easy being the sole breadwinner for this house all these years?” She took Julie’s hand, sobbing. “Your father loves your brother a lot. He’ll understand. We really can’t afford to be spending so much money on your father’s medical expenses every month.”

Julie knew the truth. Mandy said they were running out of money? But Julie had just seen Jake’s six-figure purchases. For a moment, Julie felt powerless. She felt sorry for her father. As far as Julie could recall, Mandy and George had been deeply in love. How could Mandy not care about her husband’s life or death after only a decade? Did relationships have a shelf life? How would George feel if he woke up to find the woman he loved treating him this way?

Jenny brought the fruit. Mandy smiled, pushing the plate toward Julie. “Please have some, Jules. I remember these were your favorite.” Julie shook her head. Mandy awkwardly placed the fruit on the coffee table, then changed the subject. “We’re having baked prawns tonight. Why don’t you stay for dinner? It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper dinner together as a family.”

Julie didn’t stay. Before leaving, she said, “Mom, I know you don’t give a shit about Dad, but I do. Also, I don’t like grapes. And I’m allergic to prawns.”

Once outside Somers Residence, Julie texted Martha: “Martha, I agree with your suggestion.” Seeing the message was read, she put away her phone.

“Jules, is that you?” A familiar voice. Julie turned to see Lucian’s grandmother. Overwhelmed, she replied, “It’s me.”

The old lady held her hand. “It’s been about five years since we’ve met. Here I thought my old eyes were starting to see things.” Julie shook her head. “I’m sure you haven’t had anything to eat. Let’s go. Come over to my place.” Julie wanted to decline, but remembering she hadn’t seen Patricia Fuller in years, she agreed.

“Luce! Look who’s here?” Patricia shouted upon seeing Julie. Julie was stunned. She hadn’t expected Lucian to be there. If she had known, she wouldn’t have come. Lucian took the vegetable basket from Patricia. “I told you I’d go, yet you insisted on going yourself.” “It’s not like you know how to pick the fresh ones.” “I could just get Clarice to come to the market with me. How could you force your old joints all the way to the market?” Clarice Moore was Patricia’s caretaker. Julie knew her well.

Watching them, Julie felt Lucian had changed. “What are you standing over there in a daze, Jules?” Lucian approached, placing a pair of slippers in front of her—the same pair she’d worn six years ago, hers pink, his blue. Patricia smiled gently. “Silly little girl. Have you forgotten who this is? This is Lucian. You used to follow him everywhere like a puppy, remember?” Julie felt embarrassed. “I-I remember.”

“I’m glad you remember. Come on over. It’s been many years since we last met. I’m going to treat you to my specialty today.” Julie froze, remembering the time she was hospitalized after eating Patricia’s food. Apparently, Lucian hadn’t forgotten either. Patricia was good at everything except cooking. He said, “Grandma, you’re too old now. Why don’t you sit back and let me handle everything?”

“You can cook?” Patricia asked incredulously. “Yeah. I’ve practically been cooking my meals since I started living abroad.” “You know how to cook now, huh? You’ve all grown up,” Patricia said, taking Julie’s hand. “Jules, come have a chat with me. We’ll just leave this brat here to cook for us in the kitchen. I’ve never gotten a chance to taste his cooking yet.”

Before Julie could respond, Patricia dragged her into the living room and bombarded her with questions. “How’s life been treating you the past few years, Jules? How are your studies? Has it been tiring?” Julie, overcome with emotion, held Patricia’s hand. “I’ve been doing well. I’m graduating soon, so it’s been okay. It’s nothing too tiring.” “So, have you been thinking about what kind of work you’d like to do?” Julie shook her head. She’d lived life aimlessly. Patricia sighed, heartbroken. “I’ve heard about your father. It has nothing to do with you. You don’t have to burden yourself with things that are out of your control.”

Julie nodded. Patricia changed the subject. “Right. Now that Luce has returned, you can talk to him about work. Let him help you with whatever he can.”

Julie looked into the kitchen. Lucian, wearing a plaid apron, cooked the vegetables. This Lucian was more down-to-earth than the one at Peyton Residence. Lucian turned, their eyes met. Julie quickly lowered her head.

“Juju, could you come over for a little while?” Lucian called.