Jane’s relationship with her parents wasn’t very good; they hadn’t been in contact for over a decade, or so Finley had heard from Jane before!
How was it possible that there was contact now? How many hidden secrets were in between?
“Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier? Why keep it from me?” Finley felt like a fool.
Anthony never saw it that way. “We didn’t tell you because Jane instructed us not to tell anyone.”
Until this matter was resolved, they were obligated to keep Jane’s secret.
Upon hearing this, Finley seemed to understand and nodded along.
“So, when is she coming back?”
Anthony shook his head. “I only know what she’s up to, not when she’ll return.”
Jane’s whereabouts were kept secretive, and she hadn’t disclosed to more people that this time she was determined to settle things with her parents.
Finley sat on the bed, hands spread out, and muttered to himself, “Thank goodness Patrick doesn’t know about this, it saves us from more trouble.”
If Patrick knew where Jane was, their family might as well have started a world war.
It was better to keep things concealed.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Finley, puzzled, opened the curtains and saw Melissa standing there. She felt extremely surprised. Besides them, who else could possibly know how to find this place?
With suspicions in mind, Finley still went downstairs to open the door.
“You’re my sister-in-law’s friend, right? I remember seeing you. I’ve come to see the children,” Melissa said enthusiastically, paying no heed to Finley’s attempts to stop her as she walked inside with her belongings.
Placing everything on the coffee table, she glanced around. “Where are the children?”
Patrick, hearing the commotion, came out of his room and frowned upon seeing Melissa. “How did you come here?”
Melissa walked towards him and hooked her arm through his, appearing quite affectionate. “Of course, I’ve come to see the children. As your cousin, don’t I have that right?”
Patrick shook his head faintly and led her to the children’s room. “They’re playing inside. Just be gentle; you might startle them.”
Finley, feeling increasingly uneasy, sensed that Melissa’s purpose in coming here wasn’t as innocent as it seemed. So, she followed them upstairs and leaned against the doorway.
“These children are so adorable! Are they all yours with my sister-in-law?” Melissa asked, cuddling one of the children gently, displaying a remarkably affectionate demeanor.
Patrick merely grunted and didn’t offer much explanation.
“Have you named them yet? These kids are too cute!” Melissa couldn’t get enough, naming each of the four children one by one, thoroughly enjoying their company.
Finley, drifting over to the doorway, casually remarked, “Who told you we were here?”
Upon hearing this, Melissa’s expression changed, and she looked crestfallen. “I came to see my nieces and nephews. Cousin, are you going to stop me too?”
Patrick waved a hand at Finley. “You see!”
“I heard you’ve been abroad all this while and only returned recently. Why didn’t you come when your sister-in-law was giving birth, or when the children were undergoing surgery? You only show up now that everything’s settled with the children!”
Having heard about Melissa’s dubious character before, Finley naturally became more cautious when she suddenly showed up, prompting her to be on guard.
Melissa set down the child and glanced at Patrick standing at the door before slowly explaining, “I came here so as not to disturb my sister-in-law’s rest. That’s why I hurried over after knowing the children were discharged. Cousin, you won’t blame me, will you?”
Finley felt a wave of nausea in her heart. If Jane didn’t arrive promptly, Patrick might not be able to handle such a bitchy woman.
“Where did you hear that? If you like the children, why not stay a few more days here?” Patrick casually remarked.
Upon hearing this, Finley felt her anger rising. She couldn’t fathom why Patrick would agree to such a request.
Giving Patrick a push, Finley shot him a meaningful look, and they both walked towards the door.
“Are you out of your mind? How could you agree to this request? What will you do when Jane returns?” Men indeed can’t be trusted; they can’t distinguish what is genuine.
Patrick continued talking to Melissa, “It’s only right for my cousin to come and check on the children. Since Jane isn’t at home and you’re the only one taking care of these four children, it’s too much for you. Let her help you out, it’s a good thing.”
Upon hearing Patrick’s understanding explanation, Finley’s protests became futile. It seemed like everything she said became meaningless, as if her actions were an obstacle to the reunion of the siblings.
Finley, in a fit of pique, returned to her room.
She dialed Jane’s number again, and this time, to her surprise, she picked up right away.
“When will you be back? If you don’t return soon, someone else will take over your home!” Finley shouted into the phone, hoping Jane would realize the severity of the situation.
However, Jane nonchalantly replied, “Isn’t Patrick there?”
Every time Patrick was mentioned, Finley felt her anger boiling. Gripping a pillow, she vented, “Hurry back.”
Before Finley could finish, Jane hung up the phone.
Overseas
Jane had been at this location for more than ten days and had yet to find her parents. She had only received information in her mailbox, prompting her to hurry over.
To her surprise, after searching for over ten days, she hadn’t found a trace of her parents.
Realizing she hadn’t seen her parents in over a decade, she suspected they no longer wished to see her.
Jane had asked her friends to search, hoping for results.
After days of searching, she finally received a lead from her friends. They informed her that her parents were in a hospital, a somewhat remote sanatorium.
Jane hurried towards the hospital, inquired at the entrance, and was allowed inside.
Upon entering, she saw her parents in a spacious room, appearing much older. Her father sat in a wheelchair, while her mother pushed, leaning against the window, basking in the sunlight, looking content with their current life.