Mr. Moore let out a long sigh and patted Bennett's shoulder. "Don't feel burdened. You've done more than enough all these years. Vonnie was a reasonable girl; she wouldn't blame you. Her spirit in heaven would want you to live the rest of your life well."
After Yvonne's death, Bennett had almost followed her to the grave. Later, he took care of her parents and donned a uniform to finish what she had started.
Bennett had truly done enough.
"I know." Bennett, unable to explain Yvonne's rebirth, could only give a vague nod.
Yvonne, Monica, and Mrs. Moore chatted and laughed as they finished cleaning the kitchen.
The warm, harmonious scene made her feel, for a fleeting moment, as if she were living in a memory. This feeling of family, it was wonderful.
"Yvonne, the tea is ready. Why don't you take a cup to Bennett? Be careful not to burn yourself," Mrs. Moore said, pouring the freshly brewed tea into several cups.
Yvonne picked one up and brought it to Bennett.
As she stepped out of the kitchen, she saw Bennett and Mr. Moore talking on the sofa.
She hesitated, thinking she should go back and get a cup for Mr. Moore as well. Just then, Mrs. Moore came out of the kitchen behind her and called out, "Leonard, come get your tea before you start whining about a headache later tonight. I'm not in the mood to take care of you."
Mr. Moore chuckled, stood up, and walked over to his wife.
Bennett looked up, and a smile slowly spread across his deep, dark eyes as he saw Yvonne.
Yvonne walked over and sat down beside him, handing him the tea.
"Mrs. Moore made this. Drink some, it'll help with the hangover so you don't feel sick later."
"Alright." Bennett took the cup and downed it in one go. Then, he reached out to ruffle Yvonne's hair and asked, "Are you staying with the Joneses tonight, or coming back to Cherry Bay with me?"
Yvonne thought for a moment before replying, "Back to Cherry Bay."
She was no longer the Jones family's daughter; staying over wouldn't feel right.
It was getting late, so Bennett and Yvonne announced their departure.
Monica gave them each a gift before seeing them off.
The streets were deserted, with hardly a car or pedestrian in sight.
Bennett's black Mercedes cruised along the empty road. Yvonne sat in the
passenger seat, her head turned to look out the window.
From time to time, the crackle of firecrackers echoed in the distance, followed by the
brilliant bursts of fireworks lighting up the sky.
"I had Simon buy a ton of fireworks yesterday They're all piled up at home. We can set them off together tonight," Bennett said, his free hand reaching over to squeeze Yvonne soft, coof hand.
Yvonne turned to him and nodded, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.
However, they never got to set off the fireworks together.
Halfway home, Bennett's phone rang. It was Frank, his voice laced with panic.
"Bennett, your mother suddenly collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. You need to get here right now."
Upon hearing this, Bennett's face
instantly darkened. Without wasting a word on the phone, he immediately spun the car around and sped towards the hospital.
Emma had suffered complications during Bennett's birth, hemorrhaging badly. She had narrowly escaped
death, but her health had been
fragile ever since.
A few years ago, Emma had collapsed suddenly and was rushed to the ICU, where
she was even declared to be in critical condition.
That's why hearing that Emma had fainted sent Bennett into such a state of panic
and worry.