\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32 Unwilling Visit\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Vanessa replied curtly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre your teachers nice to you at school?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes anyone ever pick on you there?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
86%\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s coldness stung, but Scarlett forced herself to say patient. \u201cIf anyone ever gives you trouble, you must tell your teacher. And if the teacher doesn\u2019t help, you tell your dad. He\u2019ll always stand up for you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho would even try to bully me?\u201d Vanessa retorted. \u201cEveryone knows my dad drives a fancy car, and Sabrina wears designer clothes. They\u2019re so impressive-no one would dare mess with me.\u201d In Vanessa\u2019s mind, Scarlett was worrying over nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing Vanessa\u2019s dismissive attitude, Scarlett pressed her lips together and offered a faint, strained smile. \u201cAlright, I suppose I\u2019m just being paranoid.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Straightening up, she said, \u201cLet\u2019s go. Your grandparents have been waiting a long time to see you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After they got out of the car, Vanessa stood beside Scarlett, looking puzzled. \u201cWho are my grandparents?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett replied softly, \u201cThey\u2019re my mom and dad.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen how come I\u2019ve never met them before?\u201d Vanessa asked, even more confused.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett didn\u2019t know how to answer. After a long pause, she finally whispered, \u201cThat\u2019s my fault.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Halfway to the house, Vanessa suddenly stopped. \u201cI don want to meet them. I don\u2019t even know them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett stopped too. She bent down, looking into Vanessa\u2019s eyes for a long moment, before giving a bitter smile. \u201cJust this once. I won\u2019t bring you here again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After tonight, she thought, the bond between us as mother and daughter will be gone for good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett had deliberately chosen not to drive all the way to the entrance of Theron Manor, opting instead to park her car just outside the gated neighborhood. She had her own private reasons for this small act-she wanted this final stretch of the journey to belong solely to her and Vanessa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even if they walked the entire distance without exchanging a single word, she could still cradle this fragile, intimate wish close to her heart. After today, when woul they ever walk side by side like this again?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Perhaps this would be the very last time in their lives. The heartbreaking weight of that possibility brought an immediate sting of tears to her eyes, but she clenche her jaw and willed them back, refusing to let a single one fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yet the road that usually felt so long tonight seemed to horten beneath their feet. It felt like they reached the entrance in under ten minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Several figures were waiting at the gate. As they drew closer, Scarlett recognized Diana, Violet, and Henry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHenry, look-it\u2019s Scarlett! She\u2019s brought Vanessa!\u201d Dian\u2019s voice trembled with emotion, thick with unshed\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
09:24 Wed, Jan 7\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 32 Unwilling Visit\u00a0<\/p>\n
tears, audible even from a distance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f66 386%\u0f47\u0f7a\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sound twisted Scarlett\u2019s heart, but she forced herse to stay composed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before they could get close, the whole family hurried forward to greet them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cVanessa, come here, let me give you a hug,\u201d Henry said arms outstretched, his face warm and kind, eyes full of hopeful tenderness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But to Vanessa, he was a stranger. Uncomfortable, she ducked behind Scarlett.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Henry noticed her hesitation. Disappointment flickered across his face, but he maintained his smile. \u201cThat\u2019s alright, no hug for now. I bought you lots of delicious treats. Come inside, and I\u2019ll show you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nearby, Diana had been about to touch Vanessa\u2019s arm, but she pulled her hand back. Her smile tightened slightly, though she kept it firmly in place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Violet didn\u2019t approach. Instead, she watched Scarlett, her gaze complex and knowing. When their eyes met, Violet could see the helplessness and pain in Scarlett\u2019s expression. As a mother herself, how could she ignore Vanessa\u2019s clear rejection?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa remained rooted to the spot, so Scarlett gently guided her forward. \u201cVanessa, this is your grandpa, your grandma, and your aunt. Can you say hello?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett pointed to each family member in turn.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa clung to Scarlett\u2019s side, eyeing the unfamiliar adults with a frown. She pouted stubbornly, not uttering a word.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She remembered Violet was her aunt, but after Clara\u2019s scolding that day, she had no intention of calling her \u201cAunt\u201d ever again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cVanessa, say hello!\u201d Scarlett\u2019s voice sharpened when Vanessa remained silent for so long.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing Scarlett\u2019s stern tone, Vanessa burst into tears. \u201cMom, you\u2019re being mean! I want to call Dad!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The sight of her crying shattered Henry and Diana\u2019s hearts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlett, she\u2019s just a child. Why are you being so harsh? Diana interjected, scolding Scarlett.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Henry shot Scarlett a look as well. He didn\u2019t speak, but his eyes were full of conflicted emotion-hurt and frustration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With both adults taking her side, Vanessa felt a flicker of smug satisfaction. Seeing Scarlett reprimanded secretly pleased her. If staying here means Scarlett got upset, then she didn\u2019t mind it so much.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She reached out and took Diana\u2019s hand. \u201cGrandma,\u201d she said, \u201cI want some grapes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That single word-\u201cGrandma\u201d-melted Diana\u2019s heart completely. She bent down and scooped Vanessa into her arms. \u201cOf course, my dear. I will get you some right way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she spoke, she carried Vanessa toward Theron Mano but in a place no one could see, Diana\u2019s eyes quietly reddened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Diana carried her toward the house, Vanessa glanced back over her shoulder at Scarlett, who still stood frozen in place. A tiny, triumphant smile touched Vanesa\u2019s lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
09:24 Wed, Jan 7 uuu.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife: Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 32 \u00a0 Chapter 32 Unwilling Visit\u00a0 \u201cYeah,\u201d Vanessa replied curtly.\u00a0 \u201cAre your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27396"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27396\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}