Chapter 8
Upon returning to her apartment, Caroline noticed the once-clear sky had turned overcast.
After setting down her bag, she walked to the desk and opened her somewhat aged laptop.
On the desktop, alongside various children's picture books and recipes, sat a folder of academic materials that Alton had sent earlier.
Double-clicking to open it, the screen immediately filled with densely packed research documents.
Caroline's fingertips hovered over the touchpad, not pressing down.
Seven years—she had been away from academia for exactly seven years. During this time, her world had consisted only of domestic matters and caring for Arthur and the children, while the outside world had transformed completely.
New theories, new research findings, new academic terminology—everything felt foreign and overwhelming.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus, and clicked on the first document.
Just then, her phone chimed, breaking the silence in the room.
Caroline glanced at the phone sitting at the corner of the desk. The screen displayed Arthur's name.
Her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Arthur rarely called her, usually preferring to text. Caroline had long taken this as his excuse to avoid hearing her voice.
Over time, she had tactfully chosen to communicate through messages as well, as if this could prevent unnecessary awkwardness and distance.
She picked up the phone, unlocked the screen, and opened the text.
[Grandfpa isn't well. Doctors suggest a change of environment. Mother bought a villa in the suburbs. Family needs to go there to help care for him. Pick up the children from school at five. Address to follow.]
The message was concise and emotionless—typical Arthur style.
Caroline stared at the screen for several seconds, her fingertips growing cold.
In the Windsor family, Isaac was the only person who had shown her any real kindness. When Arthur neglected her, Isaac would occasionally offer gentle words of comfort.
At the banquet, Isaac had held her hand and said earnestly, "Caroline, whatever problems exist between you two, you must appear loving in front of others. Don't let outsiders laugh at our Windsor family."
She had remained silent then, though her heart felt pierced by needles.
Now, if she didn't go, people would certainly become suspicious, and it might even worsen Isaac's condition.
Caroline's fingertips hesitated on the screen for a moment before finally typing a single word: [Okay.]
She would consider it repayment for Isaac's kindness these past seven years, she thought silently.
After sending the message, Caroline tossed her phone back to the corner of the desk and refocused on the computer screen.
Time passed. When she checked her phone again, it was already four-thirty.
She needed to pick up the children.
As her car slowly drove out of the residential complex, the weather grew increasingly gloomy. Caroline suddenly realized she had no spare umbrella in the car. If she went back to the apartment to get one now, the children would have to wait longer.
Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, and she felt an inexplicable irritation rising within her.
This route—from the time the children started kindergarten, Caroline had driven it without fail, rain or shine. She knew every pothole and curve with her eyes closed.
Yet today, the road seemed unusually long.
Finally, the car came to a steady stop across from the school.
Caroline turned off the engine and looked up toward the school gates. Through the rain, she could see the entrance was still closed. A few parents stood scattered outside, holding umbrellas, anxiously looking around.
Without an umbrella, she had no choice but to get out of the car and take shelter under the eaves of a nearby shop.
The rain soaked the hem of her pants, the cold sensation making her shiver involuntarily.
She checked her watch: four-fifty. Ten more minutes until the children were dismissed.
Caroline's gaze remained fixed on the school entrance, a hint of anticipation in her heart.
Time ticked by. At exactly five o'clock, the school gates opened on schedule. Children in uniforms poured out like a tide, their chattering voices carrying through the rain, full of youthful energy.
Caroline stood on her tiptoes, desperately searching the crowd for Layla and Logan.
But wave after wave of children emerged, collected by their parents, and the crowd at the gates thinned. Still, she saw no sign of her familiar duo.
Caroline's heart began to race with worry. Had their teachers kept the class late?
Patiently, she waited another ten minutes.
The rain continued unabated, and the parents under the eaves gradually dispersed until she was the only one left.
Her fingers began to tremble uncontrollably as an ominous feeling spread through her.
Could something have happened to them?
The thought made Caroline's heart rate spike instantly, her blood seemingly frozen.
She hurriedly pulled out her phone, her fingers so nervous they fumbled several times before correctly dialing the number of the children's teacher, Anna Morris.
The phone rang for a long time before being answered. The teacher's voice carried a hint of impatience. "Hello, Mrs. Windsor."
"Ms. Morris, hello. I was wondering if Layla and Logan have been dismissed? I've been waiting at the school gates for quite some time but haven't seen them." Caroline's voice trembled despite her efforts to control it.
"Oh? They were picked up long ago."
Anna's voice was matter-of-fact. "A young lady came for them about an hour ago. She's been picking them up regularly lately, so I didn't think much of it."
An hour ago? A young lady?
Caroline's heart sank. Heidi.
She took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. "I see. Thank you, Ms. Morris."
Hanging up, Caroline stood in the rain. Water soaked her hair and ran down her cheeks.
She pulled out her phone again, scrolled to Arthur's number, and dialed almost instinctively.
The call took a long time to connect. When Arthur finally answered, his voice carried a barely detectable impatience. "Hello?"
"Where are the children?" Caroline's voice was ice-cold, devoid of warmth.
"They're with me." Arthur's tone was casual. "Heidi passed by the school after work and picked them up. I had her bring them directly here."
"Passed by?" Caroline practically gritted out the word. "Couldn't you have told me beforehand? I've been waiting in the rain for almost an hour!" Her voice rose slightly with anger, carrying a hint of a choke.
The other end was silent for a few seconds before Arthur spoke again, his voice confused and dismissive. "I forgot."
Heidi picking up the children seemed perfectly natural to him—so much so that he hadn't even thought to inform Caroline.
In his mind, Caroline had always been meek and forbearing. No matter what he did, she would ultimately choose to forgive him.
Caroline's heart turned completely cold. In his eyes, her feelings had never mattered.
Her voice became frighteningly calm. "Next time something like this happens, even if you don't want to hear my voice, at least send a message. I don't want to waste my time standing in the rain like a fool."
Without waiting for Arthur's response, she hung up.
Caroline stood under the eaves, staring at the empty school entrance, her heart barren.
She didn't know how long she stood in the rain until her legs grew numb. Only then did she slowly turn, open her car door, and get in.
The car was cold, with traces of rainwater still on the seat. Caroline started the engine and drove aimlessly through the rain.
She didn't know how long she drove until the car stopped at the entrance of an unfamiliar villa complex. Coming to her senses, she studied the address Arthur had sent—this was indeed the place.
Caroline stared at the closed gates, her emotions a jumble.
In the end, she had come after all. After lengthy deliberation, Caroline finally got out of the car, only to immediately spot Arthur with the two children.