Chapter 101
Out of sight, out of mind - that was what I told myself most often.
I threw myself into work and kept myself busy, so I didn't have time to think about the mess at home.
Aiden called, asking me to come back to the Morgan mansion. He said he's recovering well and wanted me to come for dinner.
I know what he means - with Cleo at my place now, everyone feels like they're causing me trouble.
But Cleo doesn't think so. She's completely let loose at my house.
Meanwhile, I feel uncomfortable in my own home. Seeing them chatting and laughing together just makes me angry.
This morning, when I left, Jessa even said goodbye to me. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Celestia quietly asked me if Jessa was in trouble too, wondering why she was staying at our place. She also mentioned that Jessa's mom had hurt her before, and she doesn't like them.
I'm in a difficult position too. Levi wants me to be understanding toward Cleo, but I can barely hold on anymore.
After work, I don't want to go home.
I sat in my car for a long time until Celestia called, then I finally got out.
Everything's the same as usual - lively, but nothing to do with me.
Cleo and Jessa are laughing loudly in the living room. They bought lots of sweets that kids love. Hayden looks happy, no longer bothered by his classmates' gossip.
If it weren't for Jessa, I might feel some comfort seeing them happy together.
"Mom, you're back."
Celestia ran over and hugged me.
I bent down, cupping her little face. "Were you good today?"
"Today, Auntie Faye took me to the amusement park. There weren't many people, it was all very safe."
Celestia explained, worried I might be concerned.
"Take a piece of cake to your Auntie Blair."
Cleo grabbed a piece of cake and stuffed it into Hayden's hands. Jessa patted Hayden's back. "It's okay, be brave."
Hayden walked toward me, carrying the cake. His sincere expression made it hard to refuse.
I took the cake and looked at the red cherry on top, but felt completely nauseated. I couldn't stomach anything they brought.
"Have a bite. Don't disappoint the child's gesture." Using the child as leverage - that's pretty low of Cleo.
Just then, Indigo came over, so I handed it to her. "Put it in the fridge for now. I'll eat it later."
"Fine, don't appreciate it then."
Cleo rolled her eyes at me and continued eating with Jessa.
This place is becoming her home. She's bought pile after pile of stuff, all stacked up in the living room.
Levi hates clutter at home. I wonder what his reaction will be when he sees this.
Indigo doesn't dare touch Cleo's things. It looks like the living room hasn't been cleaned all day.
"Mrs. Morgan, dinner's almost ready. Let's get ready to eat."
Cleo stretched. "Perfect timing, I'm hungry."
"Cleo, I won't stay for dinner. I've already been a bother yesterday. I should go."
Jessa offered to leave. At least she's being sensible today.
"Stay a few more days. I'm so bored alone." Cleo tossed two bags of stuff in front of her. "Pick whatever you want from these."
Her usual tactic - buying people's favor with things.
I can see Jessa doesn't really care about these things. She just wants to maintain a good relationship with Cleo. Alaric can't protect her completely - maybe they've already broken up.
But Levi is a big tree that can shelter her.
Round and round, Jessa knows deep down that Levi can protect her.
If I can think of this, Jessa probably can too.
"Daddy, you're back!"
Celestia excitedly rushed into Levi's arms, and he smoothly picked up his daughter.
Jessa's eyes lit up when she saw Levi come home.
"Daddy, I missed you so much. I just got back a few days ago, and you went on a business trip." Celestia hugged Levi's neck tightly.
"I missed you, too."
Levi looked at me. I turned my face away, not wanting to look at him.
"Hayden, let's see what gifts Uncle Levi brought us."
Cleo stood up, pushing Hayden in this direction.
She grabbed the items from the driver's hands and started opening the packages one by one, completely ignoring the rest of us.
"A remote control plane - this is for boys. Quick, thank Uncle Levi."
Cleo opened the toy package and took it out for Hayden to play with.
Celestia said quietly, "Daddy, isn't that the plane I liked? Didn't you say you'd buy it for me?"
"Oh, this scarf is nice. I've had my eye on this brand and style for a while. The color matches my new outfit perfectly. Thanks, Levi."
Faye pouted. "Blair, I think that scarf suits you better. Isn't that the fashion item you shared with me a few days ago?"
I smiled without saying anything.
Cleo kept unwrapping. "These earrings are nice too, but the color's too plain. Jessa, you take them."
"Oh, I couldn't."
Jessa laughed awkwardly, looking at Levi as if wanting to say something.
Faye complained again. "Blair, this doesn't seem right. I feel like Levi bought these for you and Celestia."
"Your brother knows what he's doing."
"Levi, who did you buy these for?"
Levi said nothing. If there were a crack in the ground right now, he'd probably crawl into it. He hasn't even explained to Celestia why the plane he promised her ended up in Hayden's hands.
"Mr. Morgan's back. Dinner's ready, everyone, come eat." Indigo called everyone to dinner.
Cleo clapped her hands and put everything in her pile.
"Let's go eat."
She pulled Jessa toward the dining room.
Levi put Celestia down. "Go wash your hands, then we'll eat."
"Okay, Daddy."
Seeing Hayden happily playing with the plane, Celestia didn't ask again. She's not the type of child who likes to compete.
"You saw it yourself - she completely disregards my feelings. It's this messy every day."
I looked at Levi seriously. "I'll take Celestia and Faye and stay somewhere else. We'll come back when they leave."
"No need."
"Then what - you want me to keep waiting?"
I smiled bitterly. "Does this even count as my home?"
"Don't be so extreme."
"I'm being extreme?"
I took a deep breath. 'Now, even he's being unreasonable? Can't he see? Cleo's staying at my house so casually with Jessa.'
"Levi, you've really misunderstood Blair. She's not petty. It's Jessa - her intentions aren't pure. Last time, if we hadn't discovered it in time, she would have drugged you and taken you away."
Faye stood up for me.
"Since they can't leave, I'll make room for them."
"Blair, don't go..."
Faye chased after me. I closed my eyes. "Take care of Celestia. Early to bed, early to rise. I'll stay out for a few days."
"Okay then."
I came back home and left again without even changing my shoes. I drove around the streets alone. Levi didn't chase after me. Are they now having a happy dinner together?
In the end, I'm the extra one. Maybe if I leave, the house will be peaceful.
Levi says I'm extreme. I can't understand - is it supposed to be natural for them to do whatever they want in my house?