Astrid’s eyes, stained with the tracks of tears, lifted to meet Thssa''s gaze. "You must be hurting more than me," Astrid
whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Don''t hold it back. Cry if you need to—it might ease the pain a little."
Hearing Astrid''s words, the dam of Thssa''s self-restraint burst, and tears began to flood. She wrapped her arms around Astrid,
sobbing uncontrobly like a helpless child.
Astrid held her close, sharing in her sorrow.
After some time, it was Astrid who first found the strength to stem her tears. She gently patted Thssa''s back and said with
heartfelt sincerity, "Thssa, have you thought about what you''ll do in the future?”
Thssa wiped away her tears with a trembling hand, her voice hoarse from the weight of her grief. "I''ve decided to stay here
with the kids," she told Astrid, her face still wet from crying. "We''ll make a life in the countryside with you, working thend."Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Not long ago, she and Evelyn had pulled the children out of daycare. Lysander hadn''te to see them for several days.
When she was discharged from the hospital and went back to the country to take care of Evelyn''s funeral, she fetched the kids
from the Royal Estates without a peep from Lysander.
She wondered if Lysander had given up on them, on her taking the kids away.
So she resolved to keep the children in the countryside and to live a simple life there. It would be tough, but she was determined
to make ends meet, to provide an education for her kids and to see them off to college someday.
Being with her children was all that mattered now.
With a kind smile, Astrid patted her hand and nodded. "Good. If you don''t know how to farm, I''ll teach you."
Astrid had secretly hoped Thssa would stay in the countryside with her. The city, no matter its allure, wasn''t home. After years.
of toil as aborer, only the family homestead offered a true sense of belonging.
Besides, the children''s father was a man of considerable influence.
If Thssa went back to the city and he took the children away again, what then?
Staying in the countryside could somewhat provide a safe distance from the powerful man''s reach.
Though Astrid lived alone in the country, she had been kept informed about Thssa''s situation through Evelyn''s phone calls.
"Alright," Thssa finally said with a sniffle, managing a small smile. "I''ll learn to farm from my dear Auntie Astrid." Together, they
started to sort through Evelyn''s belongings.
"These clothes, we can take to your mother''s grave siteter. These jewels, they were hers—keep them safe," Astrid instructed
as she sorted through the items.
She handed Thssa an old red box. Insidey a pair of gold earrings, a gold ring, and a jade pearl—out of ce among the
precious metals.
The jade pearl was exquisite, its
emerald hue vibrant and clear.
Thssa wasn''t fa liarayitkt OTF}
iques arcyehtiire jade, but her time
with Lysander had given her a crash
course in valuables, especially after
she had identally broken several
of his artifacts. Please read the
original content at NovelDrama.Org.
The jade pearl, with its lustrous depth and rich color, was clearly authentic, possibly even a precious antique.
Holding the jade pearl up, Thssa asked, "Auntie, was this jade pearl also Mom''s?"
Astrid nodded. "Yes, your mother
treasured that piece the most. She
loved card games sold\aang Ol"
ble thidgs,''b it never this jade
pearl. She lost a lot of jewelry to
those games, but she never once
thought of parting with this." Please
read the original content at
NovelDrama.Org.
Clutching the jade pearl, Thssa
handed the box back sg eerie Ome
espiyreernoee untie. Wear
t |
you like, or sell them if you
need to." Please read the original
content at NovelDrama.Org.
Astrid shook her head, refusing. "I can''t take these. They''re your mother''s legacy."
She wasn''t one to covet wealth, especially not from her own sister''s.
"I''ll sell them and transfer the money to your bank ount. Then you can treat yourself to whatever you fancy," Thssa insisted
with a gentle firmness.