VIMIWW guilty M v, wwwy
complaining about how heartless we were for leaving, and how her son was in New York for training and couldn’t even come home for New Year.
“Aunt Vera.” I pulled my hand back, “Sorry, I have things to do. I need to go.”
My attitude clearly surprised her. Once she came around, she blocked my way again, her tone now reproachful.
“Celeste, why are you getting more and more disrespectful? I’m not even holding a grudge about you not answering my calls. Why are you being so disobedient?”
She relaxed her shoulders, smoothed her hair, and changed her tone to one of earnest persuasion.
“I know you liked Caspian. Even though he’s in New York now, aiming to be a star, it’s not impossible for you two to be together.”
I watched her eyes shift, knowing she was up to no good.
“I heard your family moved into a big house? That old house isn’t sold yet, is it? Give the key to me, and I’ll help you watch over it for free, maybe clean it up a bit. And for New Year’s, why not come over to our place? Caspian would feel better knowing someone’s there to take care of us.”
Aunt Vera talked on and on, planning everything meticulously.
With the key, she could rent out our old house and pocket the money.
And by not celebrating New Year with my family but with hers, she could put my parents in their place and have a free nanny and ATM.
How could I not see through Aunt Vera’s scheme?
I just smiled and agreed readily.
“Alright, Aunt Vera, go home and wait for me. I’ll talk to my parents. You and Uncle Heath don’t have to buy anything. I’ll bring everything over.”
Aunt Vera left, pleased and praising me, with a reluctant departure.
I brushed off the spot she touched and walked away with a cold laugh.
This New Year, I had a great time, but I doubt Caspian’s parents did.
Of course, I didn’t give them the key, nor did I bring any food.
During New Year’s, things are hard to buy, especially vegetables, fruits, rice, and flour, and even if you find them, the prices are sky–high.
They’re now supporting a dream–chasing son, so they wouldn’t spend the money.
I didn’t hide the fact that I tricked Caspian’s parents. I told my dad, who was only angry I didn’t trick them harder.
“What on earth, trying to make my college daughter take care of two old geezers!”
Dad glared, “Don’t worry. If they dare make trouble, I’ll handle it! What nonsense!”
I watched Dad fully support me, laughing until I had the hiccups.
They now have to financially support a son pursuing his ambitions, so naturally, they are reluctant to spend that money.
I didn’t hide the fact that I had deceived Parker’s parents; I directly informed my dad. He knows Aunt Vera is still trying to manipulate me into becoming their nanny, and he said he was disappointed I didn’t trick them even more.
“What kind of people are they, expecting my college–educated daughter to care for those elderly folks?”
Dad retorted, “No worries, if they start trouble, I’ll confront them head–on!”
Watching Dad’s unwavering support, I laughed so much I got the hiccups.
Unexpectedly, before the year was over, Caspian Parker returned, and he wasn’t alone–he brought a girl with him.
<
- 8.
a
I bumped into Caspian and the girl on the street. They were whispering sweet nothings to each other.
When Caspian noticed me, he instinctively pushed the girl aside, causing her to stumble and frown immediately.
“Caspian, what are you doing? You were the one who begged me to come back with you, and now you’re pushing me away!”
Caspian panicked and tried to comfort her, but couldn’t help glancing at me..
Perhaps his twenty–plus years of marriage had ingrained in him a habit of being cautious when sneaking around, and even though we were no longer married, he couldn’t shake off that vigilance.
I looked at him, and when my eyes fell on the girl, she seemed familiar. A moment later, it clicked.
I suddenly understood why in my previous life, Caspian abruptly decided to go to New York to become a singer.
I understood why he, who used to make promises with me, never mentioned our past again.
I also grasped why Caspian later harbored such resentment towards me.
I couldn’t help but laugh, and as my mocking gaze met Caspian’s, I muttered a silent curse and turned away without a second thought.
That girl was Beatrix Green. She had briefly attended our class as a transfer student during our senior year.
She was young, beautiful, lively, and unlike the rest of us girls who were focused solely on studying.
In the short time Beatrix was around, she became the First Love of all the boys.
I just didn’t expect Caspian to be one of them.
