Chapter 303
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Joanna had worked tirelessly all day, preparing a feast, but no one seemed willing to pick up their fork.
Ellie felt extremely sad. This was the first Christmas Eve without her father, yet it was the most lavish dinner Joanna had ever made in all these years.
In the past, even though she lived with the Warrens and couldn’t go back to spend the holiday with her parents, she knew that they were always there. As long as she went back, she could see them.
However, no matter how many times Joanna rifled through that worn–out wedding photo, how Aaron stood at the window staring off toward the direction of their old house, and how many nights Ellie cried herself to sleep with wet pillows, Harold would never come back.
“Let’s eat.” Joanna was the first to pick up her fork. “Aaron, don’t forget to visit Mr. Grant tomorrow and wish him a Happy Christmas.”
“Don’t worry, I already told him I’d come over on the second day I’ll play a few rounds of chess with him.” Aaron glanced at Ellie before picking up the knife and serving Joanna a piece of grilled pork.
Ellie lowered her head, staring at the fish Joanna and Aaron had placed on her plate, tears falling uncontrollably.
Ellie remembered the first time she returned to her hometown during the summer vacation in college.
Harold asked her what she liked to eat, and she said she liked fish From then on, whenever she said she was coming back, he would go to the supermarket to buy some fish.
Over time, the villagers had learned that whenever they saw Harold in the supermarket, buying fishing, they knew that Ellie was coming home.
“I’m full. I’m going out for some fresh air.” Ellie said as she stood up from the table, “I’ll take out the trash. It’s Christmas and we should keep the house clean.”
Joanna followed her anxiously, but Aaron stopped her. “Mom, it’s better for her to cry it out than to bottle it all in. Give her some space.” Aaron gently pulled his mother back.
Down in the small park beneath their apartment, the world was it up. Countless lights twinkled around, and fireworks exploded in the night sky. Ellie tilted her head back, but she couldn’t stop the tears that welled up in her eyes.
The colorful fireworks burst across the sky, leaving behind a fleeting, beautiful trail before fading into nothing. It reminded her so much of her father’s brief life–bright, vibrant, and gone too soon.
The death of a loved one was just another grave, but for those who were left behind, it was as if the entire world was buried beneath that grave. The despair and helplessness of such pain was something no one else could truly understand.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Ellie snapped out of her thoughts. She turned to see Alex walking toward her with his coat in his hand. She quickly wiped away her tears and, with her face a mask of indifference, turned to walk away.
Behind her, Alex clenched the coat tightly in his hands, unable to bring himself to drape it over her shoulders. It wasn’t until his phone rang that he snapped back to reality.
By 9 p.m., in the large dining room of the Warren Manor, the table full of delicacies remained untouched. The TV was on, but Alex’s parents sat in the living room with stern faces.
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Chapter 303
Nancy, who had been waiting for Alex to come home, finally couldn’t hold back her frustration. “Did you see her?”
Alex stopped in his tracks but didn’t answer.
Todd, who had been watching silently, said, “Your grandfather is waiting for you in his room.”
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As Alex turned to head to Carlos‘ room, Nancy warned him, “Your grandfather’s condition has worsened. Don’t even think about pulling anything stupid, or I won’t forgive you!”
Alex came out of Carlos‘ room late at night. In the master bedroom on the second floor, he bent down, picking up the chess scattered across the floor one by one.
He remembered that year when it had been just as cold. After the Christmas dinner, he went upstairs, only to find Ellie hiding behind the curtains, crying, clutching a doll. When he pulled her out, he found out she was just homesick again.
He didn’t know what to say, so he sat with her and played chess. He said, “Win one game, and I’ll take you back to see them
tomorrow.”
Ellie had wiped her tears and they played round after round until, in the end, she had fallen asleep on the board from exhaustion, without ever winning a single round.
Alex slumped against the wall, completely drained. His back pressed against the cold surface, his legs curled up as he clutched the chess box tightly in his hands like a guilty child.
He let out a guttural growl, the kind of sound a trapped animal might make when it was out of options. The tears that had been burning in his eyes finally spilled over.
Once upon a time, no matter what he said, she believed him and listened to him obediently. However, now she wouldn’t even spare him a single glance.
