Samantha returned home.
Karen immediately walked over with an anxious expression. Upon seeing the bandage on Samantha's head, the tears that she had barely held back immediately fell again.
"Samantha, what happened to you? How did you get hurt? I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have let you get hurt. If you can't accept me being with Justin, I can cancel the wedding."
Samantha quietly observed her.
Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, her face was weary, and her concern was genuine and urgent.
It didn't seem fake.
Despite this, the fire in Samantha's heart couldn't be extinguished.
"Karen, do you still consider me your best friend?"
Karen nodded incessantly, "You and Yurika will always be my best friends."
Samantha asked expressionlessly, "If that's the case, then tell me the truth. When did you and Justin get together?"
Karen answered quietly, “After you suddenly disappeared four years ago, he rushed back from abroad. He searched for you for a long time, but there was no sign of you. During that time, he was very sad. I was afraid he couldn't bear it, so I stayed with him every day. Gradually, we developed feelings for each other.”
The implication was clear.
She and Justin had been together for a long time.
Samantha hadn't expected that when Justin came to find her yesterday, he was already with Karen.
If that's the case, why did he come to find her?
And why did he pretend to be affectionate?
Her heart slightly ached, staring at Karen's eyes without blinking, she asked, "Since when did you start liking him?"
Blushing, Karen lowered her head shyly, "Fifteen years ago, the first time I saw him, I liked him."
This answer surprised Samantha.
She had never thought that Karen had liked Justin for fifteen years.
Longer than she did.
And she had never noticed.
Seeing her silent, Karen was afraid she would blame herself and quickly explained, "But I knew he liked you, so I never thought of breaking you two up. It was like that before, and it's still like that now. I'll call him now to cancel the wedding. I'll return him to you..."
As she spoke, she took out her phone, ready to call Justin.
Samantha pressed her hand.
What she wanted was not to reclaim Justin.
It was the truth.
She didn't like being deceived, especially by her ex-boyfriend and her best friend.
They were the two people she cared about the most.
Karen looked at Samantha with surprise, her teary-eyed appearance exceptionally pitiable.
Seeing her like this, Samantha finally softened.
Helplessly sighing, she said, "I'm not angry that you and he are together. What angers me is that you never told me about your relationship with him. Now, I have a child to take care of and can't match up to him. He should find someone better." After a pause, she added, "You and him, match well!"
Karen looked at her in shock, and after a brief moment of astonishment, boundless joy followed.
"Do you... really not blame us?"
Samantha nodded, "I don't blame you! I sincerely wish you both well." After saying that, she remembered something and added, "In a few days, I want to get together with Yurika. I've been back for so many days, and if I don't see her, she'll be angry."
Her original plan was to meet with Yurika later.
But with Justin and Karen getting married, she and Yurika both needed to attend.
If they met at such an event, Yurika would surely be angry with her.
In that case, it's better to go see her first.
Karen's expression stiffened for a moment, then she nodded, "Hmm! I'll make plans with Yurika, and then the three of us can reunite."
With the emotional barrier lifted, Samantha curled her lips and finally smiled.
In the afternoon, Karen went to work.
Samantha locked herself in the study to work.
...
On the other side,
Alexander wandered around Chelsea Creek alone, here and there.
At first, it felt quite novel and exciting.
Soon after, the novelty wore off, leaving only boredom.
With no one at home, he could only sit alone in his room playing games.
Finally, in the evening, Ethan returned.
He immediately protested, "Daddy, I want to go to kindergarten. I don't want to stay at home; it's too boring."
Kindergarten had other children. Although he always thought they were foolish and childish, but it was still better than being alone at home.
Surprised by his words, Ethan asked, "You want to go to kindergarten?"
Not long ago, Noah refused to go to kindergarten. He didn't say why. Unexpectedly, today he took the initiative to ask to go to kindergarten.
Alexander nodded firmly.
Ethan's eyes softened. He squatted down, gently rubbing his head, and said with gratification, "I'm glad you're taking this step!"
After that, he called Jade to arrange everything.
Soon, the kindergarten matters were settled.
It was still the same kindergarten as before, with the same class and teachers.
Soon, it was dinner time.
Alexander looked around at home but didn't see Samantha. Unable to hold back, he asked Ethan, "Daddy, where's Mom... um, Miss Samantha? Why didn't she come today?"
Hearing Samantha's name, Ethan's good mood instantly vanished without a trace.
Inadvertently, the image of her wrapped in bandages came to his mind.
His tone turned harsh, "She's a stupid woman, an ungrateful wretch; she'll come if she wants to and won't if she doesn't.”
He sent her home to rest kindly, and she didn't even say a proper thank you. Instead, she immediately left in a car.
Really an ungrateful wretch.
Hearing him scold Samantha, Alexander dropped the spoon, angrily saying, "I won't allow you to call her a stupid woman! In my eyes, she's the most beautiful and intelligent. If you keep scolding her, I won't like you anymore."
Ethan's handsome face instantly darkened.
A breath was stuck in his chest, unable to go up or down.
What did that damn stupid woman give Noah? She made Noah not want him as a father just for her.
Seeing him not speaking, Alexander persisted, "Hurry up and say! Say that she's not a stupid woman."
Even if she were foolish, only he was allowed to say so.
Others weren't allowed.
Even his father wasn't allowed.
Ethan's face immediately turned terrifyingly dark. Warningly, he glanced at Alexander and gritted his teeth, "She’s a stupid woman."
Alexander puffed up his cheeks, full of grievances.
Ethan, irritated, issued the final command, "Eat."
Only then did Alexander lower his head reluctantly, reluctantly starting to eat.
Ethan looked at the full table of dishes, thought of Samantha feeding him yesterday, and suddenly lost his appetite.
After reluctantly eating a few bites, he no longer had the appetite.
Father and son were both in a bad mood.
After dinner, they each returned to their rooms, ignoring each other.
***