Chapter 1997
Chapter 1997
Northern City, Jones residence.
Lowell had returned from abroad. Startled, Grace stared at him for a while before coming forward. "Is that really you, Lowell?" she asked with her hands holding his as she beamed with joy.
Seeing her expression, he smiled and nodded. "I'm home."
"You little brat. We've been waiting for you to come home," She complained as she patted him on his shoulder.
He said nothing but continued smiling. Inside, he was feeling guilty for making them wait for his return.
His eyes drooped as he allowed his sister to vent her frustrations. Then he said, "I'm sorry."
Seeing how disheartened and apologetic he looked, she could not help but ask, "I'm not actually mad. You don't have to apologize. I know you're used to living abroad, but I'm glad you're finally home."
Lowell didn't say anything as he reached out to hug Grace, carefully avoiding squashing her belly.
"Congratulations. I can't believe you're having twins again," he choked out.
He was grateful to his siblings for taking him in. If it were not for them, he would never have gotten to where he was now. However, it was his fault that Gary turned out like this.
He couldn't help feeling bad about that incident.
But he couldn't say it out loud.
Held by Lowell, Grace was filled with emotions.
She sighed, marveling at how fast time flew by.
It seemed like he was just a child not too long ago. Now he was already a man much taller than she was.
No matter how she looked at it, she had to agree that her brother was a fine-looking man.
Hugging him in return, she laughed, "That's right. With two more coming along, I will be much worn out. I am afraid I don't look as youthful anymore." "Don't worry about it," he hastened to console her, "You're not that old. Plus, you're much younger than when mom gave birth to me."
Grace was stunned to hear Lowell bringing up their mother. Belatedly, he realized his slip.
It didn't seem appropriate to mention Candace as she had never fulfilled her duty as their mother.
Moreover, she had brought endless trouble to both of his elder siblings.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
Scratching his head, he showed an apologetic expression as he whispered, "I'm sorry for bringing her up."
He couldn't conceal his embarrassment. How did he become so talented at bringing down the mood by mentioning things that he was not supposed to?
Meanwhile, Grace realized her overreaction too.
Somehow, Candace had turned into a conversation stopper for her.
With that, Grace forced a smile as she regained her composure. "Come on. I've told you that you don't have to apologize."
However, Lowell was still feeling uneasy.
He had to agree that bringing up Candace's existence would put anyone in a bad mood.
A mother was supposed to have a godlike existence for every child on earth.
Except for theirs.
Candace had never brought them warmth or good memories. They only had bad memories and troubles. No child of hers would want to think about her.
Seeing that Lowell was down, Grace knew that she had overreacted, so she explained, "I do have an opinion about our mother. But the past is in the past. I'm fine. You don't have to feel sorry for saying her name."
After all, he was too young to understand back then.
In any case, they had happier things to consider now.
"Why don't you sit down?" Worried she might be exhausted from standing for too long, Lowell changed the topic away from their mother.
As expected, she followed along and stopped thinking about Candace.
With a smile, Grace brought Lowell over to the couch, anxious to ask him some questions. "Why are you back now? You could have called to
inform us. Why didn't you come back with Gary and Celeste? Are you afraid you will be third-wheeling them?"
Stunned, he looked at his sister with curious eyes. What did she mean by coming back with Gary and Celeste?
Did Grace and Heinz not know why Gary went to the States?
What was going on?
But he chose not to say anything about the matter. "Well, those two only have each other in their eyes. Do you think they would bother with me? And I couldn't bring myself to be their third- wheel either."
"So I was right. If Gary knew, he would be moved to tears," Grace teased.
Lowell chuckled too. "Where are they? It's been a while since I've arrived."
"They...." She paused before speaking in a sly tone, "Why don't you make a guess?"
"Are they upstairs?" Lowell asked with a smile.
"Wrong!" Grace shook her head.
"They went to the villa on the mountain. It's been over five days and they've yet to return. Ernest and Leah are with them too. They must be having tons of fun. I heard that Marià and Liam joined them midway. Do you want to join them?
They're mostly around your age too."
He was taken aback, more sure than ever that Gary had not mentioned why he went to the United States.
Even until this day...
When his eyes fell on Grace's belly, Lowell became more hesitant. Perhaps Gary didn't want his mother to know since she was pregnant. He guessed he would pretend he knew nothing for the time being.
"I'm good. I came back to keep you guys company. I'll be home all day, so you can't complain how annoying it would be with me," he said.
"That's great. I have nothing to do anyway." She was thrilled to hear that.
But after saying that, she frowned
again. "I appreciate your company, but why haven't you gotten yourself a girlfriend? You're a few years. than Gary and Ernest, but you're still single. I'm getting worried,
know." ,der
He smiled and said, "No point in rushing things, dear sister. I'll know it when God brings her to me."
"Of course, there's that. But you don't seem worried at all." Grace said, "You're not getting any younger. Why don't you try going on a few dates? Are you actively looking or just blaming it on luck?"
In her mind, she was thinking it was impossible to have no girls falling for Lowell. He must not be actively looking for one.
Knowing his sister's worries, Lowell didn't know what to say. "I don't mind waiting. Stop rushing me, okay? Nature will take its course."
"Fine, I agree with that. But as your sister, I can't help but be worried. You're my brother, after all."