Maureen watched as Zoe was laid to rest, the endless snow soon burying her.
After the funeral. Zoe’s friends comforted her: “Our deepest condolences.”
Once she saw them off, Maureen asked Ethan to leave with Geoffrey first, wanting one last moment alone with Zoe.
Geoffrey understood she needed space and quietly led Ethan away.
Maureen stood motionless before the tombstone, snow blanketing her shoulders.
She seemed numb to the biting cold.
“Mom, why were you so foolish? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I regret it so much now. Why couldn’t I have stayed with you?”
She whispered to herself until her hair turned frost–white, unaware of time passing.
Her face grew purple and blue from cold when suddenly an umbrella shielded her.
Looking up slowly, she saw a man in a black overcoat, his features calm and composed.
“Why stand here alone in the snow?” Alex asked, his voice gentle. “The deceased would’ve hated seeing you like this.”
Alex reached out to brush the snow off her.
Maureen instinctively dodged: “Uncle, what brings you here?”
That “Uncle” froze Alex’s hand mid–air before he slowly withdrew it.
“I saw the news about Zoe,” he said. “You always said she meant as much as your birth mother. I knew you’d be heartbroken.”
He bowed before the tombstone.
Maureen hadn’t expected him to remember childhood words so clearly. Forcing a smile, she murmured, “Thanks, I’m fine.”
Alex studied her frostbitten face, eyes red and swollen. She didn’t look fine.
“Don’t put up walls with me,” he said gently. “I’ll always stand by you.
Maureen gave a slight nod, words failing her
After a long silence, she whispered, “I should go.”
“Let me drive you”
“No, my car’s nearby.”
“You’re in no state to drive.” Concern sharpened his scolding tone. “Come on.”
She stopped resisting.
Alex handed her a towel. “Dry yourself or you’ll catch cold.”
“Thank you.”
Maureen took the towel, brushed off the snow from her body, and got in the car.
Alex sat in the driver’s seat, turned on the heater, and played Maureen’s favorite childhood song.
Maureen grew increasingly surprised: “I’d nearly forgotten this song.”
“I listened to it often during my treatment abroad.”
Alex replied.
Hearing this, Maureen felt guilty: “Were you all right during those years overseas?”
Finally hearing her ask about him, Alex murmured: “Mostly. Though I slept more than I was
awake.”
Alex was about to start the car when a Bentley pulled up, two figures–one tall, one small–stepping
out.
Katherine had woken Jacob at five, but Christmas Holidays traffic made them late despite leaving early.
As they emerged from their car, Maureen spotted them and immediately got out.
“Jacob, Katherine.”
Katherine and Jacob’s eyes were red–rimmed, clearly from crying.
“Reenie, sorry we’re only just arriving.”
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Chapter 337
They’d meant to come last night, but blizzards blocked the roads
Maureen shook her head “It’s fine”
She knew Zoe would never blame ther
Katherine walked over and hugged her a silent comfort
Jach squeezed Minireen’s hand, lending her strength
He was about to call for Mommy when he saw Alex stepping out of the car Maureen had just
exited
Since Alex could see, Jacob immediately recognized he wasn’t that scumbag father.
“Auntie, don’t be sad.”
He addressed Maureen as Auntie.
Maureen understood his meaning and wasn’t surprised.
When Katherine saw Alex, she failed to recognize him: “Did Geoffrey get his eyesight back?”
“That’s Alex”
Maureen clarified
Katherine found it unbelievable–these brothers were mirror images. Judging by looks alone, telling them apart proved impossible. No wonder Reenie had mistaken them before.
“Miss White, how do you do?”
Alex gentlemanly extended his hand
Katherine shook it politely
“Mr. Sutton, pleased to meet you.”
She’d long heard about Alex. True to rumors, he spoke gently
No wonder Reenie had loved him–handsome and good–tempered, unlike that scoundrel Geoffrey.
Katherine and Jacob finished paying respects to Zoe, and followed Maureen back.
Alex’s car was huge, all four got in with plenty of space left.
Chapter337
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Katherine had ridden many luxury cars, especially lately with Jacob, but never saw one equipped with medical gear and a doctor.
Felt like if anything happened, they could get treated right in the car.
Alex dropped them at the door, bid Maureen farewell, and had the driver head back.
Katherine stood beside Maureen and asked, “Where’s Geoffrey?”
“I had him and Ethan come back first.”
“Oh.”
Katherine noticed parts of her clothes were soaked and sighed, “He just left like that? Didn’t even stay to hold an umbrella for you.”
As her best friend, Katherine naturally wanted Maureen to find a man who’d treat her right.
“I wanted some quiet time myself. Come on, it’s cold out–don’t let you and Jacob freeze.”
“Okay.”
Katherine took Jacob and followed Maureen inside.
Inside felt exceptionally warm.
19.30