bChapter /b44

Ste desperately wanted to storm downstairs and smash everything in the house, but the thought of Eleanor made her hold back.

She thought to herself, “The Hayes family owes me, and I’ll make sure to settle every score with them, one by one

The next day was the weekend, and Henry arrived at the Hayes residence early in the morning

Cleanor was now well enough to join the family for breakfast.

bSte /bwould never eat with the others unless Eleanor was there. Seeing Eleanor at the table, she finally emerged from her room.

Lately, breakfast always included a bowl of polentab, /band Ste was finally well enough to enjoy it.

Henry smiled at bSte /band bsaid/b, “Ste, it’s such a lovely day, and bsince /bit’s the weekend and I’m free, how about we go out for a while?”

Ste wasn’t keen on going, but Fiona quickly chimed in, “Come on, Ste. We haven’t had the chance to show you around since you came back took how thoughtful Henry is.

“Why not go with him and see how much the city has changed in the past three years!”

Seeing that Ste remained silent, bFiona /bkept shooting her meaningful nces, subtly urging bher /bto look toward Eleanor

Ste gave Henry a strained smile and replied, “Well, I suppose I have to trouble you then.”

Henry said, “No trouble at all. We’re going to be husband and wife soon, it’s only right for me to do this.b” /b

urally, Ste couldn’t show her dislike for Henry in front of Eleanor.

Naturally,

Eleanor watched as Ste ate more polenta, her face beaming with joy. She said, “Even though you’ve been in the hospitaltely, I can see yourplexion has improved so bmuch/b. Keep this up, and I will surely see your old healthy self again.”

Fiona bquickly /badded, “Ste, why not go out for a walk? Who knows, you might recover even faster.”

Ste could tell Eleanor wanted her to get bsome /bfresh air.

Eleanor wished she could take Ste out herself, but her own health wouldn’t allow her to be out for long.

bNot /bwanting to add to Eleanor’s worriesb, /bSte reluctantly agreed.

After breakfast, Martin arrived just in time to give Ste her acupuncture session. Once it was finished, Ste finally started getting ready to go out by picking an outfit.

Just then, Fiona walked into her room and asked, “Ste, what are you wearing out?”

Ste bpulled /bout an outfit and showed it to Fiona

Fiona bsaid/b, “Henry bought this for you, didn’t he? Well, you should wear it. And take this phone. It’s old, but just keep it with you for now. When you get back, you can get any now phone you want.”

Ste thought, ‘Fiona is pulling out all the stops bto /bplease Henry. She replied, “No, I won’t need it’ll be with H

thing will happen

Fiona said, “But you’ll need to stay in touch. What if something happens to you aher you go gut she caught herself, realizing she’d almost let her btrue /bthoughts bslip/b.

She quickly forced a smile and said, “Ste, I didn’t mean it that way I’m just worried about your sality”.

Ste’s face darkened with barely concealed contempt. She thought, ‘Right, I’m the Hayes family’s golden goose now. If I ran away and Henry pulled bis

investment, bwouldn’t /bthat mean the end of the family!

She bsaid /btly. “I won’t be taking the phone for now. I’ll stick with Henry the whole time I won’t run of

Fiona, finding it bawkward /bto intist, took the bphone /bback with an embarrassed smile. She said, “Alright, let’s wait till tomorrow. I will take you out in put a new phone and anything else you need.b” /b

Ste couldn’t even be bothered to respond. She thought bitterly, “Now that I’m about to be married off. i suddenly remembers to buy me things! How utterly revolting”

She said, “I’m going to get changed”

Fiona replied, “Go ahead, Henry’s been waiting bfor /bba /bblong /btime. Don’t keep him waiting” With that, she walked out

Ste changed into fresh clothes and emerged, her appearance bas /bstriking as ever, a real head–turner.

Henry reached out and took Ste’s bhand/b.

Ste instinctively wanted to pull her bhand /baway, but catching sight of Eleanor still sitting in the living room, she forced herself to stay st

Fiona, still putting on her loving mother facade, said, “Have fun, take your time. Just be back for dinner tonight”

“We’re heading out now, Eleanor. See youter, Mrs. Hayes,” Henry said politely.

“Go on,

then, bFiona /bbreplied/b, waving them off. She turned to Eleanor and said, “They do look so in love, don’t they, Mom?”

Eleanor had been worried that bSte /bmight disapprove of Henry, but seeing her show bno /bresistance, bshe /btook bit /bas a sign of eptance.

still.

Eleanor know Ste’s situation better than anyone, but she couldn’t help feeling heartbroken for Ste She thought. Does she have to end up with someone like Henry! But if this is Ste’s choice, I’ll respect it!

As Ste approached the car, Henry opened the front passenger door for her. She reluctantly slid inside without a word.

Once she was settled, Henry leaned over and meticulously buckled her seatbelt for her, ying the part of the attentive nce. Ste stiffened at his closeness but forced herself to stay still.

As the car pulled away, Max rushed in from outside. He asked Fiona, Mom, did bSto /bleave with Henry!”

Fiona kept giving Max pointed looksb, /bba /bsilent reminder that Eleanor was still present.

Max acted as if he hadn’t noticed Fiona’s hints and insisted, “Mom, did Ste leave with Henry?”

Eleanor looked a bit puzzled and asked, “What’s the matter, Max?”

Fiona quickly interjected, “It’s nothing. Mom Max just needs to talk to Ste about something” Then she shot Max another pointed look

Max seemed to realize something and fell silent.

Fiona called out, “Mary, the weather’s blovely /btoday. Why don’t you take Eleanor out for some fresh air?”

Mary replied, “Okay”

Only after Mary and Eleanor had been gone for a while did Max finally turn to Fiona and ask, “Mom, did byou /bto Ste go with Henry!”

Fiona retorted, “What was I supposed to do! Ste didn’t even object. Besides, our entire family depends on Henry’s side. The rest of his investment still hasn’te through, and ourpany hasn’t truly turned ba /bcorner. Don’t you think we’re worried?”

Max was suddenly at a loss for words.

bID/bb:/bb28 /bThu 31 Jul

Fiona said, “Rx, it’s no big deal. We’ll make it up to Ste when she gets back.”

Max remained silent.

The weather was indeed quite pleasant.

Throughout the ride, Henry kept enthusiastically pointing out all the city’s new developments to Ste since she’d been gone.

Ste had bonce /bknown this bcity /bintimately, but after three years, it now feltpletely unrecognizable. But as Henry kept pointing out the changes, fragments of her old life gradually came back to her.

Noticing that the car drove to the outskirts of the city, Ste’s guard instinctively went up. When they arrived at a mountain resort and she took in the beautiful scenery, a small measure of her tension finally eased.

Henry smiled and said, “All my friends are already inside. Come on, let me take you to meet them.”

There were indeed many of Henry’s friends inside. When they bsaw /bSte, no one showed any sign of displeasure, only warm, weing smiles.

Gradually, Ste began to warm up to them.

At lunch, everyone gathered around a turkey bfeast/b, but Henry, knowing Ste couldn’t eat such heavy food, thoughtfully had a separate meal prepared just for her.

“If you can’t eat it, don’t force yourself. No problem at all, Henry said with a smile.

Ste gave a small nod.

One of the people nearby chuckled and said, “Ste, even though Henry is a bit older than you, he’s a good man. He’s just had some bad luck.

“He lost two wives in the past, but that’s all behind him now. We’re ball /bhappy for him that he met youb.” /b

Another chimed in,

“Yeah, Ste, just give Henry a chance. He won’t let you down, and you really won’t regret choosing him.”

Henry, worried Ste might feel awkward, quickly cut in, “Alright, that’s enough chatter. Everyone, dig in before the food gets cold.”

Then he offered Ste a bottle of water and asked, “Want some water?”

The heat was getting to her, and feeling a bit drained, Ste epted the water and took a sip. But soon, a wave of dizziness washed over iher/i, and before she knew it, she cked outi. /i

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