“But...”
“Okay, great. Now that this is sorted out, Ian, you should come home with me and rest early tonight.”
Sasha did not leave Susan any room for further discussion. After rejecting her request swiftly, she
changed the topic and focused on her son.
Ian was quiet the whole time.
When he was about to leave, he took out the Kindle and returned it to Susan.
“Here you go.”
“Hmm?” Susan looked up at his face, only to realize that he had looked away and walked off with his
mother.
Holding on to her device, she watched the mother and son duo leave the ward. Moments later, she
collected herself after Sigrith approached her.
“Susan, you must repay the kindness of your cousin and his wife, did you hear me? We must have done
something right in our past lives to have met such compassionate people in this life.”
She nagged like a doting mother, reminding her to be grateful.
Susan said nothing.
She gripped her device tightly until her knuckles turned white from the vice-like grip.
Slowly, she released her fingers when they entered the elevator.
“Yes, Mom. I'll surely remember their good deeds and try my best to return the favor.”
“Great. Listen to them, and don't upset them in any way. Do remember to keep a look out for Ian in
school. This is basic courtesy, do you understand?”
“I know...” she muttered indifferently, almost inaudible.
Yes, I'll etch this advice in my head to fulfill my duty as a senior and take care of Ian. I shall do so to
show my gratitude toward the couple and their family.
Then, Susan went home with her mother.
After a simple meal, Susan went into the room to help her mother pack her hospital bag.
Buzz!
Suddenly, her phone rang.
Who could it be to send me a message at this hour?
She stopped what she was doing and reached for the phone.
Upon unlocking the screen, she noticed the black and white profile picture. There was no text apart from
a screenshot of flight details.
It's Ian!
Subconsciously, her lips curled upward. Her fingers started typing away, and she was ready to send him
a list of messages to initiate a small talk.
What are you up to? Have you had dinner? What did you eat?
She typed a lot, but hesitated right before she was about to click the send button.
Her mother's advice dawned on her...
Susan replied: Received with thanks, Ian.
In the end, she sent him a laconic yet formal response.
Meanwhile, at the Oceanic Estate, only the lights in a bedroom on the second floor were still brightly lit.
Ian was playing computer games while waiting for her reply.
As soon as he heard the phone buzzing, he paused the game and immediately checked his phone.
Instantly, his good-looking face became sullen, and his mood was completely ruined upon reading the
message.
As a consequence, all the other players in the game were killed by him that very night. It was an awful
and unbearable sight to watch.
The following day, Sasha woke up earlier than usual, knowing that her son had morning classes.
Awakened by the noise, Sebastian asked, “Why did you get up so early?”
“I have to prepare breakfast for our son. He's going to school today. I've got to be quick, or else he's
going to miss the flight,” Sasha answered while putting on her clothes.
Right as she said that, he pulled her back into bed.
“Why is he taking a flight? Get Karl to drop him off using the helicopter. Come sleep with me for a while
more. I didn't sleep well last night.”
Afterward, he tucked her in and hugged her to sleep.
Sasha was so annoyed, but she could not escape his embrace.
Ian woke up around eight. Upon checking the time on his watch and realizing that it was getting late, he
got up immediately.
“Good morning, Mr. Ian, you're up?”
“Yup. Where are Mommy and the others?” he asked as he took a seat at the dining table and picked up a
fork.
The housemaid dared not tell him the truth that the adults were sleeping in.
Hence, she came up with an excuse. “Madam and Mr. Sebastian went grocery shopping. This breakfast
spread was prepared by Madam. She said that Mr. Frost will take you to school once you're done
eating.”
What?
Ian raised his head.
Mr. Frost is sending me to school? I thought I've said no to Daddy last night? Why did he insist on this
arrangement?
He put the food down, grabbed his backpack, and headed out.
The housemaid was taken aback.
“Where are you going? Why did you leave in the middle of breakfast?” reprimanded a solemn voice.
Hearing so, Ian stopped in his tracks and dared not move a muscle.
“Good morning, Great-grandpa.”
He turned around and was met by a sulky Jonathan who had just entered the hall with his walking stick.
His greeting put a smile on Jonathan's face.
“Sit down and finish your breakfast. How can you neglect the most important meal of the day when
you're hitting puberty?” he instructed his great-grandson to sit down and accompany him for breakfast.
Jonathan had been wanting to spend more time with everyone in the family.
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