voices and movements perfectly synchronized.
“Welcome home, Ms. Stanton!”
Jaycie couldn’t help but sigh and rub her forehead in mild exasperation. Leonard, who was wheeling her suitcase behind her, handed it off to a servant who promptly carried it upstairs. He chuckled at her reaction.
“Mr. and Mrs. Stanton are big on ceremony. When they heard you were coming back, they stayed up all night training the staff for
this welcome. They’re probably waiting for you in the living room right now.”
Jaycie nodded. Though the fanfare was a bit over the top, she didn’t want to spoil the moment. She headed straight to the living
room.
Sure enough, the room was filled with people–her parents, uncle and aunt, and more. She greeted each of them warmly before
sitting down beside her parents. When she saw the concern in their eyes, the calm facade she’d maintained for so long finally
cracked.
Jaycie leaned her head on her mom’s shoulder, a wave of unspoken frustration washing over her.
1/2
+15 Bonus
She had grown up pampered by her family, never having to face much hardship–until she moved to Seacity under a false identity to gain life experience. There, she met Cole.
For five years, she had given him her whole heart. Back then, she truly believed they would spend the rest of their lives together,
convinced they were destined to be each other’s one and only.
But in the end, she had nearly become his hidden mistress without even realizing it. Her sincere love had been thrown away like it
meant nothing.
Her mom Andrea, sensing Jaycie’s melancholy, patted her shoulder. “What’s done is done. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. If we fall, we get back up. We have plenty of room for second chances.”
Hearing her mother’s comforting words, Jaycie felt some of the weight lift from her chest. Noticing her mood lighten, the others.
quickly changed the subject, eager to present the gifts they had prepared.
As they brought out the presents, Jaycie realized that Andrea’s earlier phone call hadn’t been an exaggeration–if anything, it had
been an understatement.
There were property deeds, keys, and a stack of documents topped with a long string of keys. But the most eye–catching item was
the tiara placed in the center.
Crafted from gold, diamonds, and pearls, every gem was large and flawless, the pearls perfectly round. The crown radiated
opulence and grandeur.
Yet, it seemed her family still didn’t think it was enough. They were determined to fill the table in front of her, as if only then
would they be satisfied.
Just as Jaycie was about to tell them it wasn’t necessary, her aunt, Megan Stanton. suddenly slapped the table, her eyes lighting
- up.
“Jaycie, you just got out of a relationship, right? Well, a friend of mine has a son who recently returned from abroad. She’s been worried sick about him not finding a girlfriend. How about you two meet? Even if it’s just to make a new
friend?”
D
