Chapter 113: The Things Elodie Left Behind
Come Home for a Visit!
Catherine's heart stirred, and she turned to look at Alexander.
Alexander stood under the maple tree, elegant and refined, covered with fallen maple leaves.
"Did you grow up here when you were little?"
"Yes, I lived here with my grandmother, and later we moved to Serenitia City."
When she and Elodie were brought to Serenitia City, Clara was already there. After just a few years, Elodie got sick, and Celeste sent her to the hospital, where she stayed ever since.
Alexander took two bouquets of flowers from the car and handed one to Catherine.
When did he prepare flowers in the car? She had no idea!
"You brought these?"
"Of course. Meeting your grandmother for the first time, I need to let her know who I am."
Alexander wore a calm smile on his face, as if he had simply done what he should do—nothing worth mentioning!
"You've been so busy lately, so naturally I should take care of what needs to be done."
How did visiting Elodie become something he should do?
This was clearly her own matter, yet he had made it his own.
Catherine's heart pounded!
She took the flowers Alexander handed her and reverently placed them in front of Elodie's portrait.
"Grandma, I'm home."
Catherine took out the acceptance letter she had prepared and placed it on the family altar.
"Grandma, I promised you I'd go to the best university. You can rest easy now!"
Getting her into college was Elodie's lifelong wish. Elodie, who knew so little, wanted Catherine to have what she thought was the very best!
Though life was hard back then, it was the happiest time of Catherine's life!
Alexander knelt down and placed a photo of him and Catherine in front of the family altar.
"I'm Alexander, Catherine's fiancé. From now on, I'll take good care of Catherine. You won't need to worry about her."
"When did you prepare the photo?"
Alexander smiled and gently patted Catherine's head.
His eyes were filled with tenderness, like the sunset glow outside the window.
"I planned to visit your grandmother a long time ago. Back then, I already knew what I wanted to say to her. She needs to know her granddaughter's husband. Let's leave the photo here."
Neil stood at the gate, waving to Catherine.
"Boss, I need to talk to you."
Alexander squeezed Catherine's hand. "Go ahead, I have something to say to your grandmother alone too."
What could he possibly have to say to Elodie alone?
Catherine looked at him with some confusion, but met Alexander's steady gaze and agreed.
She walked out of the yard and stood before Neil.
"What is it?"
Neil handed Catherine a cloth bag with a small maple leaf embroidered on it—clearly something Elodie had made herself.
Elodie lived frugally her whole life, using the same few bags forever, but every year she would trek to distant towns to buy beautiful fabric to make clothes for Catherine.
Catherine grew quickly, yet Elodie refused to make oversized clothes, always saying that well-fitting clothes looked prettier, and growing taller was a good thing.
"This is what Elodie left for you. She said to give it to you when you came back."
Elodie had left something for her?
Catherine carefully opened the cloth bag and found a bank card and a key inside.
"The password for the bank card is your birthday. This key is for a safe deposit box at the same bank. Elodie said you know the number. She left something for you in the box."
Looking at the bank card and key, Catherine felt both bitter and warm inside.
"When did she give this to you?"
"A long time ago, before you went to Serenitia City, Elodie gave it to me. She said after she passed away, when you came back with your husband, I should give this to you. This is the property Elodie left for you."
As Neil spoke, he quietly wiped away tears.
"Elodie was lucky to have you in this life. You gave her something to look forward to in her later years."
Most people in this village were poor, yet Elodie raised Catherine like a treasure, and raised her so well.
"Don't ask me anything—I promised Elodie I wouldn't say. But I think Elodie will tell you herself. Go check the safe deposit box."
Neil wiped his tears, sat at the gate smoking his pipe, his eyes full of loneliness and endless longing for the departed.
"I understand. Please take care of yourself too."
Neil nodded, looking at Catherine with relief, then suddenly leaned in with a smile.
"Why don't you stay tonight? I clean the room every day. Look how dark it is—driving is dangerous. You came all this way, might as well stay the night!"
Catherine looked at Neil speechlessly.
It was indeed unsafe to drive out of the small mountain village at night, but this old house hadn't been lived in for years—staying overnight wouldn't really be appropriate.
She didn't mind, but Alexander was the head of the Howard Group after all. She couldn't bear to make him rough it here for a night.
"I have a way to get out."
Neil's eyes rolled, and he raised his voice toward Alexander inside: "Mr. Howard, it's so late now. Why don't you and Catherine stay here for the night?"
Catherine fell silent.
Alexander walked out from inside, moonlight falling on his dark coat, bright and clear.
His whole presence was gentle, like a refined gentleman.
"Alright, Catherine and I will stay."
Hearing his agreement, Neil was delighted. He patted Catherine's shoulder proudly and whispered: "He's a good man. Elodie can rest easy! I'll go prepare dinner for you!"
Neil scurried off.
Catherine rubbed her temples and said helplessly: "There's no need to stay the night. Can't your car turn into a helicopter? If you're tired, I can drive."
Alexander held her hand, enclosing it in his: "I want to see where you grew up."
"But it's too small here, and not very convenient."
"It's fine. I'm not spoiled. I survived gunfire on the border—this is already very good."
As people who had both lived on the edge of death, they understood each other's past lives without words.
What the other had experienced, they had experienced too!
Alexander pulled Catherine to sit in the yard, lying on the rocking chair under the maple tree, swaying gently.
"This place has a yard, peace, and you. To me, that's precious."
Catherine watched him lie down on Elodie's chair.
No one could imagine that the head of a top family could have such a peaceful and gentle side!
Catherine pressed her lips together, her heart softening.
"What about Marcus and Felix?"
"I called to let them know. They can either check themselves out today or wait for us to pick them up tomorrow."
"And then?"
Alexander smiled, his sculptured profile taking on a moonlit glow.
"They cursed me out and said we have to show up tomorrow."
Catherine could already imagine Marcus and Felix cursing in frustration!