Chapter 26
Chapter 26
“Got it,” the man said, ruffling her hair. “Now hurry-your mom’s waiting outside.”
“Okay,” Irene replied listlessly. The thought of not being able to go out with Sylvia had put her in a sour mood.
As she turned to leave, she couldn’t help adding, “Daddy, remember to pick me up early tomorrow, okay?”
“Just go,” Ernest replied vaguely. Irene didn’t mind-she was already skipping toward the door.
Daddy had already promised to help her skip school tomorrow. Just thinking about spending the day with Sylvia lifted her spirits.
“I wish today would just hurry up and be over,” she mumbled once she was buckled into the car.
Then she glanced nervously at Stella. Hopefully Mom didn’t hear that. Fresh chapters posted on.net
Stella had heard-but she didn’t react.
She knew exactly why her daughter wanted the day to fly by: tomorrow was all about Sylvia.
So what was there to feel? What reaction was she even supposed to have?
Lies weren’t what cut deep-the truth was.
Her heart was already scarred beyond repair. One more jab from Irene wouldn’t shatter it, and one less wouldn’t heal.
Even time couldn’t erase the marks; it would only turn fresh wounds into ugly, permanent scars.
After the Spencer family fell on hard times, her uncle’s family had moved from a luxurious estate to a modest townhouse.
It wasn’t exactly close to the Lloyd-they’d chosen it hoping to be nearby in case Stella needed help, but affording something closer in the heart of Seabrook was nearly impossible.
They’d tightened their belts, pouring every resource into keeping the company afloat.
After over an hour of driving, Stella finally spotted the outline of the townhouse. In the car seat beside her, Irene was almost asleep.
“Mommy, are we there yet?”
“Almost. Just turning around now.”
She rounded the corner, and the gate of the townhouse came into view. An elderly man leaning on a cane waved enthusiastically from a distance, flanked by two men of different ages.
The older one had a kind, gentle face-the type that looked easy to take when he smiled.
The younger one wore silver-framed glasses. His eyes narrowed slightly, radiating a cunning, shrewd energy.
“It’s them!” Irene pressed her face against the window.
“Sit properly. Don’t move around,” Stella reminded her as she carefully backed into a parking spot.
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The moment the car stopped, they were surrounded.
Richard’s voice was just as strong as he was-loud and clear: “Well, look what the cat dragged in! Come here, my little treasure-let Great-Grandpa see if you’ve grown!”
It was hard to believe this was the same man who’d once fought in wars, bayonet in hand.
If his old army buddy, Sebastian, saw him now, he’d never let him live it down.
Then again, Sebastian in the same spot, and he’d be just as mushy.
So ever since she was little, Irene knew both her great-grandpas were wrapped around her finger. She could act up, sulk, or throw a fit-they never minded.
That’s why when Richard reached for a hug, she ducked away. “No! Great-Grandpa, you smell weird and your beard is scratchy. It always hurts!”
Let’s face it-older folks, no matter how clean, often have that… older folks smell.
Besides; Richard loved rubbing his stubbly chin on her cheek. She hated it.
To him, it probably sounded like cute grandkid talk. But to Stella? It felt like all those years of teaching manners had gone in one ear and out the other. Total waste of breath.
“Irene,” Stella said, her voice low and serious, “apologize to your great-grandpa.”
When she was with Sylvia, fine-let her act however she wanted. Stella didn’t care. But around family who’d always loved her? No. That attitude wasn’t okay.
“No!” Irene shot back, lip stuck out. “It’s his fault! Why should I say sorry?”
“You’re right-he shouldn’t have pushed a hug if you didn’t want one,” Stella said evenly. “But did you have to be so harsh?”
“Think about it-how would you feel if someone you loved spoke to you like that?”
Stella had always believed in one thing when it came to raising her kid: call it like it is.
No fuzzy lines for right and wrong.
Too bad the kid had always been a daddy’s girl-even as a toddler, she’d rather fuss her way into Ernest’s arms than stay home with Stella.
Come to think of it, it had been years since Stella had disciplined Irene like this.
While Stella was speaking, the three adults by the car stayed quiet, not interrupting.
Only when she finished did Richard step forward with a warm chuckle. “It’s my fault, sweetheart-I didn’t think about how you were feeling. Great-Grandpa won’t do it again, okay? Don’t be mad.”
Irene nodded quietly and mumbled, “Okay.”
“And what do you say now?” Stella’s expression was still stern. If she didn’t hear an apology today, she was fully prepared to be the “bad mom”.
Luckily, the little girl was smart enough-and she truly loved Richard. She lowered her head slightly and said, “I’m sorry, Great-Grandpa.”
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“It’s alright, Richard said gently. He instinctively reached out to hug her, but then remembered her earlier words and stopped mid-motion, looking almost lost.
Thankfully, Marvin stepped in and scooped Irene up, bouncing her lightly in his arms.
“Your great-grandpa didn’t take a bath today-that’s why he smells a little. But I did! How about I carry you instead?”
“Okay.”
Irene relaxed against his shoulder as he carried her toward the house. Richard followed closely, one hand hovering protectively behind her, afraid she might fall.
Bringing up the rear, Harvey adjusted his glasses. His smile was bright, but Stella-standing right beside him-could feel how cold it was.
Even so, the curve of his lips was dazzling. Anyone else might’ve thought he was genuinely happy.
“Harvey…” Stella said softly. She’d known since they were kids-when her cousin smiled like that, he was absolutely furious.
Like before in school when a bully pulled her hair… Harvey had smiled just like this right before he stabbed the boy’s hand with a pen.
“Hmm?” He turned to her, the slight drag in his tone making her heart pound. At least right now, Stella was genuinely
nervous.
“I-I’m fine, really. Don’t worry.”
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