Upon recalling Ethan's prior warning, she struggled to suppress the anger welling up within her and managed to force a smile. "Ethan, are you back? Where were you just now? Why were you gone for so long?"
Ethan frowned. "Why haven't you left yet?"
His intention to drive her away was glaringly obvious.
Suzy's expression was nearly unbearable, but she explained with a strained smile, "I accidentally fell asleep in the guest room upstairs just now."
However, Ethan showed no interest in her explanation and said ruthlessly, "You can go."
Unwilling to back down, Suzy retorted, "Ethan..."
"I don't like to repeat myself."
Suzy dared not disobey his order. She bit her lower lip tightly and glanced at Samantha reluctantly.
Samantha curled her lips and smiled, then picked up another dish and offered it to him.
Ethan opened his mouth and ate. Suzy felt a pang of distress, her hands clenched into fists, and her well-manicured nails nearly drew blood from her palms.
Realizing there was no room for negotiation, she left in despair.
Before departing, she discreetly snapped a photo of Samantha.
After leaving Chelsea Creek, she anonymously sent the photo to Justin.
Justin promptly made a call.
Suzy sat in the car, answered the phone, and deliberately lowered her voice to say, "Hello."
Justin immediately fired off a series of questions, "Who are you? Where did you see Samantha? Where is she now? Do you have her address or contact information?"
"She is living at Karen's house now. If you don't act quickly, she will be with another man."
"Karen?" Justin frowned slightly, expressing doubt in his voice, clearly not convinced.
If Samantha lives in Karen's house, why hasn't Karen told him? Karen was well aware that he had been searching for Samantha.
"Believe it or not! That's all I can tell you!"
With that, she hung up without hesitation.
Listening to the busy signal on the other end, Justin was stunned for a moment, then decisively stood up, left the senior management in the conference room, and departed without looking back.
Half an hour later, Justin parked his car at the shopping mall next to Karen's community, descended alone, and concealed himself behind a rockery.
His tall figure leaned against the sofa, chain-smoking, until evening.
There was a murmur of conversation.
"Mommy, I want to eat fried chicken wings. Can you make fried chicken wings for me later?"
"You silly, all you think about is eating! Today was Mommy's first day at work. Don't you care about me?"
Changing the subject, she added, "Mommy, how was your work today? Did it go well? Did anyone bother you?"
"Who do you think your mommy is? I'm a talented designer. No one dares to bother me. I'm satisfied with how my employer treats me."
As Ethan was leaving earlier, he seemed to be in a good mood. He must be pleased with her performance today, right?
Hearing this voice, Justin's tall frame trembled, his pupils suddenly tightened, and he looked towards the source of the sound in disbelief.
Immediately, a figure that haunted him came into view.
It was really Samantha.
She was finally back.
Justin's eyes turned red. He came out from behind the rockery excitedly and grabbed Samantha's wrist. "Samantha..." The familiar voice made Samantha's breath hitch.
Time seemed to stop.
The world seemed to grow quieter.
Samantha didn't dare to look back because she didn't want to face Justin.
When Alexander saw his mother being 'harassed' by a strange man, he immediately stood up, separated their hands, put his hands on his waist, and protected Samantha behind him, like a little hedgehog erecting long thorns on his body. "Who are you? I'm warning you not to harass my mommy; otherwise, my dad won't let you go!"
Charlotte, usually timid and cute, also stood up and shielded Samantha. "Mu brother is right. You're not allowed to harass my mommy. Otherwise, I will bite you to death..."
Justin, who was focusing on Samantha, only then discovered the existence of Alexander and the others. His handsome face instantly turned pale, and he asked with trembling lips, "Samantha, are you... are you married?"
Even the children are so old.
Heat surged up, irritating Samantha's eyes to turn red.
She took a deep breath, suppressed the turbulent emotions, and looked at Justin, pretending to be calm. "Yes, I got married four years ago! These are my children."
Justin suddenly felt like the world was spinning, and he staggered.
The air in his stomach was squeezed, and the pain spread bit by bit.
Before studying abroad, they had a clear agreement to get married immediately upon his return.
Four years ago, she suddenly lost contact.
He immediately ended his studies and returned to England, only to receive the news that she had run away from home and had not been heard from at all.
He had been searching for her for four years and waiting for her for four years.
What awaited him was the discovery that she was already married and had children.
Take in all his expressions.
Samantha felt a lump in her throat, and a bitter taste filled her eyes.
Lowering her head in shame, she spoke hoarsely, "I'm sorry. I betrayed our relationship. I'm not worthy of your love. You should find a better girl."
If it hadn't been for Suzy and Sarah's manipulation, presumably, she's now married to Justin and has children, living a happy life. Unfortunately, there's no 'if.'
Now, she not only lost her innocence but also gained two children.
She no longer deserved him.
Justin stared at Samantha with red eyes, demanding, "Raise your head and look at me!"
Samantha raised her head obediently, meeting his gaze.
Justin questioned, word for word, "Tell me, do you love your husband?"
Samantha felt guilty, but she dared not show it. Pretending to be calm, she replied, "Yes, I only love him now."
As her words sank in, Justin's heart shattered. All color drained from his face, like a person who had lost his soul. His eyes dimmed, and without a word, he turned around and left in despair.
Watching him disappear from sight, Samantha felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if someone had cut out her heart one piece at a time. The pain was so intense that she couldn't breathe.
Big tears rolled down.
It was over.
She and Justin were completely finished.
Although she had known that a future with Justin was unlikely, she clung to a faint hope, dreaming the sweet dream that all girls have--the hope to be with the man she loves deeply.
But just now, the dream shattered completely.
She and Justin returned to their separate paths, back to their original positions.
Seeing her cry, Alexander and Charlotte immediately felt a pang of empathy. They hugged her legs with their little hands and comforted her gently, "Mommy, don't cry. The two of us will always be by your side. We'll never leave you."
Though they didn't understand what was going on, they knew that the man just made Mommy cry.
He was the bad guy.
They hated him.
Looking at her two lovely children, Samantha wiped away the tears on her face resolutely, squatted down, and gently stroked their heads, "I am fine. I'm just saying goodbye to the past. From now on, it's just the three of us and grandpa."
After Grandpa Miller was hospitalized for treatment, she brought Charlotte and Alexander to him.
Alexander and Charlotte nodded together, "Well, we will never leave mommy."
Samantha burst into tears and smiled, stood up, and led them into the building.
After they left, Karen emerged from behind a large tree not far away.
She glared fiercely in the direction Samantha had departed, clenching her fists with jealousy, and her eyes were red.
Four years later, despite all her efforts, Justin couldn't forget Samantha.
They had met each other at the same time, so why did Justin like Samantha and not her? Karen narrowed her eyes.
A flash of malice crossed her expression.
***