CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: GOING HOME

After taking the photos, Adrian Jennings handed the phone to Talia, his eyes calm, speaking in an indifferent tone, "It seems your friend sent you a message."

"Hmm? Let me see."

Talia Rhodes opened the message, her expression stiffened at what she saw.

She knew the phone automatically displayed message contents as a notification, Adrian Jennings must have seen it.

Somewhat guilty, she looked back at him and explained, "An ex-boyfriend, we have already broken up."

"Hmm." Adrian’s expression was indifferent, showing no emotion in his eyes.

"I’ve already blocked him on WeChat, just forgot to block his phone number."

Talia was a bit flustered, not knowing why she felt guilty; she was twenty-five, it was normal to have an ex-boyfriend, right?

Moreover, she started dating before agreeing to the arranged marriage; she hadn’t done anything to let Adrian down, so why feel guilty?

Understanding this, Talia Rhodes calmed down, "I’ll block him right now."

Then, in front of Adrian Jennings, she blocked Ethan Grant’s phone number.

Afterwards, she added, "Don’t worry, since I’ve agreed to this marriage, my ex-boyfriend is just a thing of the past."

Adrian nodded, his deep dark eyes still showing no emotion, but as Talia turned away, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

...

Talia Rhodes and Adrian Jennings spent a few days together and then returned to Oakhaven.

She hadn’t told her family in advance that she was coming back today, so when she got off the plane, there was no one from the Rhodes Family to pick her up.

Adrian Jennings’ assistant came to pick her up.

The black Rolls-Royce Cullinan stopped at the entrance of the Rhodes Family villa.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" Adrian asked.

Talia shook her head, "No need."

"Alright."

Talia stood at the gate, feeling a bit of homesickness.

Adrian noticed her hesitation, but did not stay long.

After the car drove away, Talia Rhodes pressed the doorbell. When she left home, she hadn’t taken the key, so now, three years later, returning to her own home, she had to ring the doorbell; the feeling was peculiar.

The maid, Ms. Chen, opened the door and was stunned the moment she saw her.

"Mi...miss, you’ve returned?" Ms. Chen’s voice was unexpectedly choked with emotion.

Talia felt a twinge of sourness in her heart and softly replied, "Yes."

"You’re finally back, good... I’ll call Mr. Rhodes right away."

"He’s not home?"

"No, sir is at the company, and madam is at the school attending a parent-child activity with the second miss."

With no one at home, Talia was relieved.

She had just returned home and wanted to catch her breath without facing the whole family.

Her stepmother, sister, and the father she had been at odds with for years, each one gave her a headache.

Talia went to her bedroom, the furnishings and decorations were exactly the same as before she left, the room was clean and spotless, obviously cleaned regularly.

She took out her luggage and put her things away, then went to the bathroom to take a shower.

After coming out of the bathroom, Ms. Chen knocked on the door and called from outside, "Miss, what would you like for dinner? I’ll go buy groceries now."

Talia opened the door, smiling slightly, "Just like before."

"Alright!" Ms. Chen said with a cheerful smile, truly happy from the bottom of her heart.

She had served the Rhodes Family for more than ten years, watching Talia grow up. To her, Talia was like her own daughter.

On the night Clara Sterling passed away, it was she who carried young Talia, who had fallen in the snow, back into the house.

After Clara’s passing, Shawn Rhodes was depressed for a long time, neglecting this daughter. During Talia’s persistent high fever, it was Ms. Chen who stayed by her side in the hospital, never leaving.

Talia was devastated by her mother’s death, refusing food and drink daily, and it was Ms. Chen who accompanied her, comforting her, and tirelessly coaxing her to eat.

If it weren’t for Ms. Chen, Talia probably couldn’t have made it through.

In Talia’s heart, Ms. Chen was like family.

In the past three years, she had not contacted Shawn Rhodes, but she would call Ms. Chen during holidays to check in on her.

Thinking of something, Talia Rhodes took out a gift box and handed it to Ms. Chen, "This is the most famous specialty from Mirehaven, bird’s nest. You can make a soup with it."

Ms. Chen accepted with a smile, "I’ll make it tonight for you, miss."

"No," Talia shook her head, "I bought this specifically for you. I’ve had it many times already; I brought it back for you to try."

"This... I can’t accept this," Ms. Chen declined quickly, waving her hand.

Talia pushed the bird’s nest into Ms. Chen’s arms, "Please take it. You’ve cared for me so much over the years; it’s just a small token of my appreciation."

Ms. Chen’s eyes welled with tears, "Miss..."

"Sister! Sister, you’re back!" a bright and young voice rang out, and before the words faded, a little girl rushed over and hugged Talia tightly.

"Jasmine missed you so much, you’re finally back!" The little girl held onto Talia’s leg, looking up at her, her eyes sparkling, her face full of joy.

This girl was her half-sister, Jasmine Rhodes, eight years old this year.

Jasmine had always been fond of clinging to her, but Talia’s attitude towards her had always been cold.

Talia disliked Jasmine’s mother, so she wasn’t too fond of Jasmine either.

But children are innocent, and Jasmine was pure and cute, with just one aim to get close to her sister. So Talia, although not fond of her, did not dislike her either.

Talia looked down at Jasmine and asked her, "You’re home from school so early?"

"Jasmine heard from Ms. Chen that you returned and was eager to come home to see you, so we came back early," Lillian Young said with a radiant smile.

Talia Rhodes’ expression became slightly stiff.

Before she left home, she nearly had "I dislike my stepmother" written across her forehead; an entire year could pass without exchanging a word with her stepmother.

Talia detested Lillian Young, not only because Shawn Rhodes had moved on, betraying her mother to marry her, but mainly because Lillian Young was Clara Sterling’s best friend.

In Talia’s mind, Lillian Young was a scheming woman who wouldn’t even spare her friend’s husband.

And Shawn Rhodes was just as desperate, a scumbag who ended up with his ex-wife’s best friend.

With these feelings, after her mother’s death, Talia gradually transformed from the well-behaved daughter everyone praised to a rebellious, defiant teenager.

Seeing Talia’s silence, Lillian Young smiled and said, "You must be tired, Talia; have a good rest. I’ll call you when dinner is ready."

Jasmine wobbled Talia’s arm and pleaded, "Sister, come play in my room for a while. I drew a picture, do you want to see it?"

Talia withdrew her arm, her expression cold, "No, I want to rest."

"Oh, alright then." The little girl withdraw her hand reluctantly, pouting, looking very unhappy.

Lillian Young took Jasmine’s hand, "Don’t disturb your sister’s rest."

Ms. Chen stood by awkwardly and said, "Madam, Miss, I’ll go buy groceries now then."

After Ms. Chen left, Lillian Young took Jasmine away as well.

Talia closed the door, and the world returned to silence.

...

In the evening, Shawn Rhodes returned, and the family sat around the dining table, ready to eat.

Shawn Rhodes looked at Talia and said, "Why didn’t you let us know you were coming home today?"

Talia replied, "And what difference would it make? Does it change anything if I don’t?"

She spoke with a hint of hostility.

Shawn Rhodes furrowed his brows, "It’s been three years, and you still haven’t changed?"

Talia smirked, "It’s been three years, and you still haven’t divorced Aunt Lillian?"