Chapter 591
“There are still some activities at school, so I won’t be joining you guys,” Chris said as he grabbed his backpack and headed out the door.
Celia hesitated for a moment, glancing apologetically at Gwyneth. “Big sis, I signed up for the FSA exams too. I probably won’t be able to keep you company either.”
Gwyneth understood. She’d come home just to check in on them, after all. Victoria and her father were already tucked away to the side, eavesdropping on the kids’ conversation, catching every word.
After dinner at the old family house, Gwyneth headed back to her new place.
The porch lights and all the rooms inside were already on. The staff had trickled in over the past few days, which was nice in its own way. Even though Gwyneth usually preferred peace and solitude, a house this big felt less empty with people around-especially with Hawthorne away.
Ever since Hawthorne left, she’d found herself counting the days until he’d return. The idea of him staying with her in Starfall City sounded nice in theory, but deep down she knew it wasn’t realistic. She did love the fresh seafood here, and the rhythm of city life, but truth be told, her heart belonged to Greenvale.
Greenvale was perfect for living well-especially in spring and autumn, when the streets were shaded by towering trees and every block looked like something from a painting. The old town, with its vintage charm, was Gwyneth’s favorite place in the world.
She’d fallen in love with the warmth and scenery of the south the very first time she visited. But most of all, she loved Hawthorne, who had quietly taken up all the space in her heart.
Back at home, she freshened up and then lay in bed with a book. At eight o’clock sharp, Hawthorne’s call came through.
Gwyneth picked up, beaming.
“What are you up to?” His deep, magnetic voice instantly warmed her from the inside out.
“Just reading,” she replied.
It had been ages since she’d enjoyed such a peaceful evening-life had been busy, especially with her younger siblings to look after.
“Oh? What are you reading? Tell me about it.”
Gwyneth glanced at the business magazine in her hands. She didn’t mention that it was one of the ones Hawthorne liked to read whenever he was home. On the nights he stayed over, she’d catch him flipping through it, and now, whenever she missed him, she’d find herself doing the same. She wasn’t sure if she actually cared about the magazine, or if she just wanted to feel close to him.
“Nothing special. Just flipping through some old magazines,” she said. Truth be told, she wasn’t interested in business gossip or city elites her father had been on the cover more times than she could count, years ago.
“So, what did you do today? Tell me about it.”
Hawthorne’s tone was gentle,
almost like he was talking to a child. Gwyneth thought for a
moment nothing special, really. The same old routine: running errands with Celia and Chris, wandering around town, just killing time. Nothing worth mentioning.
“When are you coming home?” she asked, stifling a yawn. These days, just hearing his voice at night made her sleepy, like it was the best lullaby she could ask for.
“Maybe I’ll be back before you finish humming a song,” he teased.
Gwyneth’s heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, she thought she understood what he meant. Hugging her phone, she rushed out of her room and down the stairs in one breath.
But when she flung open the front door, the driveway was empty—no sign of Hawthorne’s car, and certainly no thrum of a helicopter overhead.
Her excitement fizzled as quickly as it had come. She’d gotten her hopes up for nothing.
Turning back inside, she sighed and trudged up the steps, only to bump straight into a broad, solid chest-firm, warm, unmistakably familiar.
“Uncle Hawthorne, you’re back?”