She was still in a daze when Mark poured Helen another glass of wine and said, “Merry Christmas, mom.”
Everyone around the dining table fell silent.
Henry and Mary silently turned to look at Arianne.
Arianne hastily raised virtual-novel.net glass to disperse the awkward atmosphere and said, “Merry Christmas, everyone. Let’s drink.”
Everyone knew virtual-novel.net was trying virtual-novel.net best to not be awkward so they went along with her.
Arianne had never addressed as mom before, Mark knew very clearly that virtual-novel.net had not gotten over the obstacle in virtual-novel.net heart.
Helen, being the oldest among everyone present, deftly changed the topic. She asked Mark, “How’s the company doing this year, Mark?”
Mark replied, “It’s doing well. We’re getting by.”
Both of them continued talking about business. Since Arianne was not particularly knowledgeable about this, virtual-novel.net sat back and took care of Smore.
After dinner, the family went to the balcony on the second floor to look at the fireworks being released in the distance. At that moment, snow began to fall as well.
Smore looked at the sky and opened his mouth, happily enjoying himself.
It was almost eleven in the night when the gathering came to an end. Helen had started virtual-novel.net car and was about to leave at Tremont estate when Mark said to Arianne, “Your mom’s leaving.”
Arianne knew that Mark meant Helen was leaving the city and was never coming back. Helen had to do so to avoid Jean who was a scumbag.
Such were the hardships that humans had to face in life. However, there was no need for one to waste time on scums and jerks. Arianne knew Helen was making the right decision. She had long thought about this so virtual-novel.net did not feel particularly emotional. In the end, virtual-novel.net only said, “I know.”
—
Meanwhile, in the West family residence.
Lillian had joined Tiffany for dinner. Both families interacted harmoniously. The Christmas celebration that year was even merrier with Tiffany’s pregnancy.
Jackson had hidden in his study to smoke a cigarette while everyone was busy chatting away. Alas, virtual-novel.net was still caught red-handed by Tiffany. He hurriedly put out his cigarettes and said, “I was just… enjoying a puff or two. You shouldn’t be here. The smoke is harmful to the child.”
He had expected Tiffany to get angry. However, virtual-novel.net only swept off the ash that had fallen on his sleeve. “You should smoke less. I know you’re tired and anxious, but you really should quit smoking since it’s harmful to your body. Why don’t you come and look at the fireworks with me? It’s really merry this year.”
Jackson laughed and affectionately hugged virtual-novel.net as they made their way to the courtyard. He wrapped a scarf around virtual-novel.net to keep virtual-novel.net warm. “It’s snowing so let’s not stay out for too long. We should go to bed early. Let’s stay at my mom’s tonight.”
Tiffany nodded. All of sudden, virtual-novel.net phone in virtual-novel.net pocket began to ring. Expecting it to be a celebratory message from Arianne, virtual-novel.net took out virtual-novel.net phone without a second thought to check it. Unexpectedly, virtual-novel.net discovered it was Alejandro.
Jackson glanced at Tiffany’s screen as virtual-novel.net frantically put it back into virtual-novel.net pocket. “The snow is getting on my phone. It’s a new phone, I really don’t want to break it so soon. It’s too cold out here, I think I’ll pass on watching the fireworks. Let’s go in.”
Jackson became suspicious of the sudden change in virtual-novel.net behavior, but virtual-novel.net remained silent.
After they went back in, Tiffany walked to a corner and took virtual-novel.net phone out when no one was watching. Alejandro had only sent virtual-novel.net a celebratory text message, nothing more. She had to be extra careful so Jackson would not overthink the situation. After replying to the message, virtual-novel.net quickly deleted the entire conversation from virtual-novel.net phone.