Amelia couldn't explain her feelings as she entered the Mo mansion. She hadn't been back in that
house since she started renting a room at Mrs. Chen's. The place felt very familiar as it was where she
spent her childhood, and yet it had also felt strange since she lost Iris.
Amelia took Iris' photo with her when she left SJ Garden.
Coming back, she thought that Mo mansion had changed so much and only the memories of the past
felt the same.
The servant greeted her and told her that Vernon was in his study. Sophia had been living with
Yolanda. She would come back every other day and would always leave in a hurry. Vernon would tend
to the garden or read books in the study when he had free time.
Amelia felt at ease knowing that Sophia and Yolanda weren't there. She was glad to have found
reprieve from their sarcastic and scathing remarks.
She set the cake down on the table and went upstairs to the study. She heard Vernon's voice respond
to her knock. Opening the door, she found him sitting by his desk with a cigarette in his hand. When
Amelia entered the room, Vernon quickly stood up and snuffed the cigarette on a nearby ashtray. He
had a wry smile on, but his tone sounded concerned as he greeted his daughter, "I haven't seen you in
a while. How are you, Amelia?"
He felt a bit strange to Amelia but warm.
Amelia only nodded to acknowledge Vernon's welcome. She didn't think to say anything.
Vernon's face fell as he looked at Amelia. Worried, he continued asking, "Did you and Lucian really file
for divorce?"
Amelia had already anticipated this question and she thought she came prepared with an answer. But
hearing Vernon mention Lucian's name froze her where she stood. She looked at Vernon nervously
and said, "Yes, it's true. We did file for divorce."
Saying those words felt like she was dropping a bomb. She was instantly overwhelmed with thoughts,
predominant of which was Lucian's face.
Vernon didn't press her to say more when he saw Amelia's crestfallen expression. Embarrassed, he
said to her, "Well, you haven't been back in a long while. How about staying here with me for a few
days? Or better yet, stay here permanently?" He regarded her with a warm smile.
Vernon hadn't shown her as much affection since Iris' death. Amelia felt both happy and bitter when
she heard his invitation to stay. Despite everything that had happened between them, Vernon was her
father and seeing him then made her want to put the past behind.
"Dad, I only dropped by to wish you a happy birthday. I have to return to work," she quickly said as she
checked her wristwatch for the time.
Astonished, Vernon looked at Amelia and said in disbelief, "You said you already filed for divorce.
Aren't you entitled to some of Lucian's assets?"
Vernon's question made Amelia pause on her way to the door. She looked at him blankly and shook
her head.
When she decided to divorce Lucian, she merely downloaded the forms and signed them. She didn't
bother herself with the documents pertaining to shared property and assets. At the time, she only
thought about how to get Zhan Group out of trouble.
As for the Zhan family, she never considered that she was entitled to a portion of their money. Besides,
it was she who asked for divorce. She didn't deserve anything after agreeing to marry Lucian and then
ending it all after a few months.
"Let it go, Dad. We have nothing to do with each other anymore," Amelia said coldly. She avoided
meeting his father's gaze.
Vernon gave up asking about Lucian once he saw how uncomfortable Amelia was becoming. He only
nodded in response.
Amelia understood how the news of her divorce had hurt her father. When he learned that she was
marrying Lucian, Vernon was overjoyed. The thought of someone taking care of Amelia for the rest of
her life made him feel at ease.
"I'm sorry, Dad," Amelia said, lowering her head in guilt.
Vernon only looked at his daughter and sighed, "I'm not just sad, Amelia. I'm also disappointed that
things had to be this way."
Vernon's words hurt Amelia more than she let show. She bit her lower lip and forced herself to smile.
Try as she did, she couldn't think of anything to say to comfort him.
"I heard you found a new job. What's the name of your company? How much is your salary?" Vernon
asked about her work to break the silence.
With genuine happiness on her face, Amelia replied excitedly, "I make 3000 dollars every month as a
probationary employee. Once I become a regular, I'll start earning more."
It wasn't just the money that made her happy. The thought that she could save a sum every month
before her baby was born gave Amelia joy.
Vernon wore a gentle smile and said, "You've always been kind and obedient. I never had to worry
about you. It's just that... Is Jonny really nice?"
Based on Vernon's question, it seemed to Amelia that he had been following the news. Her name had
been smeared all over the papers. She didn't think Vernon would pay attention to it all, but it was
apparent he did.
Like every other person who didn't know better, Vernon must had also believed that she left Lucian
because Zhan Group was in crisis.
Amelia had ceased caring about other people's opinions. As long as Zhan Group was doing well and
Lucian was happy, she felt that all her sacrifices were worth it.
"Don't worry about me, Dad. Everything's fine," Amelia replied to reassure her father.
Vernon took solace in her words. After a pregnant pause, he said, "Well, I heard that the An family is
just as good. I hope you'd treat them well."
Amelia's chest had felt tight but she found it in herself to smile. "Dad, today's your birthday. I want to
celebrate with you, but I've only started work the other day. It's not a good idea to ask for permission to
leave so soon. I'm sorry. I'll come back the next time I get a day off."
"Oh, well! Just remember to take care of yourself," Vernon said as he walked her down the stairs.
"Won't they be coming to celebrate your birthday with you?" Amelia saw the cake she bought on the
table. She worried that Vernon would have to mark his birthday alone. Without others to celebrate with
him, the cake would just add to a lonely picture.
"Yolanda will be giving birth in two months. Sophie went to live with her to take care of her. I don't think
she would come home tonight." Vernon's face as he said this was quite reassuring. He smiled at
Amelia who thought he had read her mind just then.
"I'll call my boss and ask if I can leave early so we can celebrate together," Amelia said.
"Alright! I'll cook!" Happiness was written all over Vernon's face.
Amelia felt glad to have visited her father. Smiling warmly, she said, "You know what, Dad, go to the
living room and watch some TV. I'll make you lunch."
Since it had been a while since she was last in that house, she thought she'd take the opportunity to
cook for her father.
"That would be lovely, Amelia! You always cook the most delicious dishes. It's something you definitely
got from your mother. My cooking is terrible." Vernon didn't even realize that he had mentioned Iris'
name out of joy.
It was the first time Amelia heard him mention her mother since her death. She was deeply touched by
his words.
"Mom always cooked with love. I still remember her cooking," she smiled as she thought fondly of Iris.
"Yes, although I would always criticize her cooking at the time," said Vernon who was preparing tea for
him and Amelia. He was sipping from his cup when a thought dawned on him.
When Amelia looked at Vernon again, the old man was wearing a frown.
Less than a week after Iris had passed, Vernon moved Sophia and her daughter into the Mo mansion.
Already depressed due to the loss of her mother, Amelia was even more inconsolable when she saw
her father bring in another woman. She resented Vernon for it and despised Sophia and Yolanda.
Amelia thought that Vernon had not been faithful to her mother. They had been together for more than
ten years, so she couldn't understand how he could bring another woman into their lives so quickly
after Iris' death. It took a few weeks before Amelia learned that her father had actually been pushing
Iris to leave the family before her death.
"Have a seat, Dad. I'll cook for you," Amelia said curtly and shook her head to clear off the dark
thoughts. She didn't want her resentment to hurt any hope of having a better relationship with her
father. Regardless of the past, she wanted nothing more than to be in good and peaceful terms with
Vernon.
Amelia had entered the kitchen when she heard Yolanda's voice coming from the living room. When
their eyes met, she was surprised to see the heavily pregnant Yolanda, but she merely walked up to
her with a smile. "I heard you'll give birth in two months."
Yolanda's face instantly went sour as soon as she saw Amelia. She glared at her with sharp eyes.
"Why are you here? Is Mrs. Amelia no longer allowed at the Zhan mansion? Did she come crawling
back to the Mo family?"
Amelia had anticipated Yolanda's hurtful words. Still maintaining her smile, she replied, "I'm a member
of the Mo family, Yolanda. This is my home."
Amelia had no intention of arguing with Yolanda, but the latter took her response as provocation. Her
face darkened before answering, "I've always thought of you as a simple and unsophisticated woman,
Amelia. I never thought that you'd abandon Lucian just as Zhan Group was falling down on hard times.
And you actually went to Jonny! You truly are despicable. You deserve every hardship that comes your
way."
Amelia pretended to yawn. She no longer cared about Yolanda's hurtful words. Calmly, she told her,
"Today's my father's birthday. I don't want any trouble so please step out of the way. If you do, I just
might still think of us as family."
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