Her mother continued, "You never left us since you were little. You even wrote in your essays that you wanted to be with Mom and Dad forever. Obviously, you could have stayed in your hometown for university in the first year, but you insisted on retaking the exams and wanted to study elsewhere. I disagreed at the time. But your dad said that with a daughter like you, you could definitely win over a son-in-law, just like he did back then. Others said he was like a toad wanting to eat swan meat, yet he still managed to marry me. He said you take after him, so I had to believe in you."
Tong Tong buried her head in her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
After a while, she said in a low voice, "I can’t do anything. He’s fallen for another girl."
"Then just forget it, it’s his loss."
"No, he’s great, it’s me; I’m just useless."
"Let’s not talk about it anymore." Tong Tong’s mom gently helped her up from her arms, softly looking into her eyes, "Lawyer Davis is a good man, I like him a lot. You being with him is also quite good. With time, feelings will develop."
"Really?"
"Yes." Tong Tong’s mom nodded earnestly.
Tong Tong took a deep breath, "Then I’ll go to my room to freshen up. How long have you been waiting for me? Go to bed early."
"Do you want Mom to keep you company while you sleep?"
"No need, I can do it myself," Tong Tong forced a smile through her tears, "I can’t run to you every time something happens; it’s so unambitious."
"Good girl."
Tong Tong’s mom smiled and patted her face.
Weary from the journey, and with the time being late, she didn’t linger in the living room much longer and quickly went back to her room to rest.
Tong Tong also returned to her room.
She stayed in the largest bedroom of the villa, which was connected to a dressing room, bathroom, study, and balcony. The area was expansive, and when she entered the room and turned on the light, it was bright.
Very empty.
She took a shower in the bathroom and came out, feeling no sleepiness at all.
After Daniel Davis got home, he called her, and when he said goodnight, his voice was tender.
She also smiled as she hung up the phone.
Looking at the quiet night outside the balcony, Tong Tong, holding her phone, returned to the room, standing quietly, not knowing what to do. After a while, her gaze landed on the piano not far away.
She walked over and touched the cold, shiny black and white keys with one hand.
A fluent string of notes flowed from her fingertips, like a tinkling stream in the night, but it only made the listener feel lonely and desolate.
The air was rendered very sentimental.
It felt like a mournful song.
——
The next morning.
At ten, the sun was bright.
Koa Jackson and Mia Ginger returned to the Jackson Residence with Jax Jackson.
The moment they stepped into the hall, they heard a voice scolding from a distance.
Old Master Jackson frowned, looking at Marianne Jackson, who stood not far away, and said angrily, "Who is that person? You were so bewitched you went to see her? This is outrageous. Can’t tell right from wrong. Is this still a child of the Jackson Family? Ah!"
"Sister Zuri is very pitiful," Marianne Jackson pouted, softly defending.
"Pitiful!" The old master was so angry he picked up his cane to point, "I really want to crack open your head to see if it’s filled with mush!"
"Grandpa... "
"Shut up. You’re not allowed to go anywhere today. Just stay at home and reflect properly."
Marianne Jackson was at a loss for words.
Lydia Williams glared at her, "Get down here now!"
"What’s up with Grandpa? Why so angry?" Mia Ginger said as she approached them, looking at Marianne Jackson, "What did you do to upset Grandpa? Apologize quickly, Grandpa’s the most forgiving."