The situation was like normal in the Langston Family—the kids were playing in the house as it became lively in the living room. Their cheerful noises seemed to echo everywhere.
Upon arriving home, Heather massaged her temples when she saw the mess. Well, this looks like a funfair. I had only left for a while and the Langston Residence is now reduced to this chaotic state. I am at a loss for words.
The butler couldn’t cope with the situation, but everybody was smiling in happiness. As she stared at her family, she realized that what happened to her had not affected the Langstons.
Apart from their good looks, what else can they offer? Oddly enough, Heather was feeling angry. The Apple Gazette was widely popular among the public as the local historical newspaper. The Langston Family, who enjoyed good gossip, had subscribed to the newspaper too. In that case, shouldn’t they be aware of what has happened to me?
Nevertheless, they seemed unfazed. The incident had involved her and the entire Langston Family, but they were not bothered at all. In fact, they were fooling around as usual.
Heather steadily walked past the living hall. I have expected this from the beginning, so there is no reason to be calculative with them. The Langstons have only been concerned about what I can offer them since I was a child. Nevertheless, they are never available whenever I need them. We do not share the bond of a family. The only person who loves me is Grandpa, but due to his health issues, he can’t do much. Besides, many people have their eyes on me, so any favoritism from Grandpa would affect me negatively.
While she was approaching the place, she was planning to look for Robert. The only place to locate him in the Langston Residence was none other than the quiet study room.
The whole family turned a deaf ear to her with very few people having the courage to approach her. There were many who hated her and even treated her as if she didn’t exist.
Who would have expected Heather, the queen of appearance with a forceful aura in public, to be just a nobody in the Langston Family? There was still laughter outside as she made her way inside the house. Today is not a good day—it is a family meal day, so everyone has dropped by for a reunion.
The person whom she least wished to see appeared in front of her the moment she opened the door of the study. She shook her head in disbelief because she did not expect Myra to show up.
D*mmit! Myra must have read the headlines. How could I possibly explain myself to her? I am not mentally prepared, but she is here now. Heather was not even bothered about what Robert would think of her as a result of the matter, but she just could not face Myra.
“Heather, are you surprised?” Myra asked with a smile, as if nothing had happened.
“Yes, I am.” Heather’s lips tugged into a forced smile.
Robert was grinning from ear to ear. He had been chatting with Myra about Lisa earlier as he was still fond of her. He had met Lisa when they were young back then, but he regretted that they hadn’t been able to be together. Nevertheless, he felt even more sorry that he couldn’t be Lisa’s best friend. In fact, they hadn’t been in contact for the past few years, but he had been constantly missing her.
“Am I interrupting you both?” Heather wanted nothing more than to escape the place. Can someone please give me an excuse to leave?
“No, you are not. Heather, please come in. Myra hasn’t been to the Langston Residence for such a long time. She must stay for lunch today.” Robert was fond of Myra to begin with, so he was even more attached to her due to her relationship with Lisa.
Heather rubbed her eyes. Have I heard wrongly?! Does Grandpa want Myra to stay for a meal? I want to get rid of Myra as soon as possible. Well, there is no way I can escape now. I don’t even have a valid reason to do that. I am a piece of dead meat. Grandpa hates the Hart Family with a vengeance. Why is he willing to ask Myra to stay for a meal? She was at a loss for words when she glanced at him.
Robert wrapped an arm around her shoulders to lightly pat her. “Heather must be delighted.” The moment she saw his bright, cheerful smile, she could not go against him.
“Yes, I am.” Heather regretted her decision to return home. I would not have returned home if I knew that there’s a family meal going on—nothing good ever comes out of it. In hindsight, I recall Mr. Presgraves advising me to attend some family reunion. Well, it is true that I must not accept the suggestions of others.
She was now regretting her decision. Life is no doubt challenging. In this instant, the only thing I want to do is to drag Matthias out and execute him by shooting.
“I need to head downstairs to handle some things. You two, young ones, should have a chat,” Robert stated while releasing her, as though trying to give some privacy to her and Myra.
Why haven’t I noticed how considerate Grandpa is in the past? Heather had the urge to harm herself while staring at his back as he left. I am sure that Myra will interrogate me by torture. She felt her heart sinking the moment the study door slammed shut. Nothing good will come out of this.
Nevertheless, Myra maintained her smile when she spoke again, “It has been such a long time since I last saw Old Master Langston. He is as friendly as ever.”
Thank God Myra hasn’t started directly questioning me about the issue involving Matthias and me. “Grandpa has always been that way. He has been fond of you ever since you were a child,” Heather commented before she smiled at Myra. However, Heather’s expression was stiff and unnatural as she couldn’t act naturally at this point.
Myra came closer to carefully regard Heather. She took a sniff before she spoke after a long pause, “I smell something.” It was as if she was mentally challenging Heather and stared at her with a cunning glint in her gaze.
“Heather, you are hiding something from me. You have an odd and stiff expression,” Myra commented pointedly. She continued to stare at Heather while pushing her in a torturous way by beating around the bush.
It was easy to expose herself if she continued to feel sheepish, but Heather swiftly recollected herself. I cannot confirm for sure that Myra has learned about this matter. It seems that the Hart Family does not take note of gossip in general. I can’t even be sure of the progress of the issue now. Anyone might have read about it and chatted about it as gossip fodder. However, this incident mainly involves the Locke Group and Langston Group. Besides, Matthias and I haven’t been in Bradfort City for long. Well, those in the business world will no doubt analyze it deeply and carefully.
In her heart, she prayed to God that Myra did not personally come all the way to the Langston Residence just to meet her. She hoped that God would have answered her prayer.
“I have never kept any secrets from you. I have no idea what you are talking about!” We promised each other to be best friends for the rest of our lives and we even agreed not to keep secrets from each other. Upon recalling that, Heather felt guilty because she had kept a lot of secrets from Myra.
Heather had kept many things from Myra once she perceived them as being bad for the latter. Despite knowing that it was wrong, Heather had to lie to maintain the pretense. It was a never-ending vicious cycle once the lies had started. She was exhausted whenever she was reminded of her lies. Relationships require so much effort and work to maintain it.
We are no longer children now. How can there be no secrets in the adult world?” Myra lightly asked with a gentle smile. She talked about it like it was a natural thing.
The day had finally arrived; they had not blatantly talked about it all along, but Myra was voicing her thoughts directly now. We can’t return to the promises we made when we were young. There have been too many lies throughout the time we were growing up, and that is the ruthless truth of society. We are no longer young girls shielded in the ivory towers of dreams.
Heather smiled helplessly and she felt as if her perfect dreams were crumbling in front of her. She felt at a loss because superficially, she thought that she had been trying her best to protect Myra, but in reality, Myra was the one protecting her.
She had been claiming that she wanted to protect Myra’s innocence. In the end, Heather was a weakling under Myra’s protection. They were not biological sisters, but they were like sisters.
“That’s right. We are adults now,” Heather agreed helplessly. She looked crestfallen like a child who had just lost their candy.
“Heather, I do not want to find out further about the things that you have been keeping from me. However, you should be honest with me about some of them,” Myra spoke sincerely. She sounded firm toward the end of her sentence. “Don’t you trust me? I might not be powerful enough right now, but I am no longer a child. You can rely on me at times too.”
Heather was rendered speechless when she stared at Myra’s earnest and sincere expression. When it comes to relationships, I could never be as simple and direct as Myra. I honestly do not want to lose Myra as my close friend. Nevertheless, I just cannot face her whenever I recall the outrageous and crazy mistakes I have done in my youth.
“I took the liberty of baking some desserts for you today. I was hoping that you’d enjoy them,” Myra quietly stated. “I chatted with Old Master Langston and he kept bringing up Grandma. Maybe the relationship between the Langstons and the Hart Family can be repaired. We shouldn’t allow the elderlies live with regrets!”
Upon hearing that, Heather sighed in relief because she was bracing herself for something worse from Myra. That scared me witless. “Yes, the relationship between the two families should be repaired and I am happy to contribute to it,” she replied happily. It looks like Myra has not read about the gossip regarding Matthias and me.
Myra nodded with a smile. “I will work hard for that too. There’s nothing we can’t do as long as we stick together.” She reached out to hold onto Heather.
It was only at that moment when Heather noticed that Myra was holding a newspaper in her other hand. She stared in disbelief at Myra as her smile froze on her face.
Myra followed the direction of Heather’s gaze and she looked at her left hand. Then, Myra raised the newspaper in her left hand while keeping her head lowered. “Heather, why did you keep this from me?” She held the newspaper in front of Heather.
The headline printed across the newspaper was eye-catching. She gawked at the newspaper in shock and felt awful, but she just couldn’t make a sound.
“I am sorry—I honestly had no idea how to explain this to you. I hope you will trust me.” Heather looked at Myra pleadingly, as if hoping to gain her trust.
“You haven’t told me anything. Why should I trust you? I honestly hope that the pictures were edited.” It was obvious that she did not trust Heather as many questions were reflected in her gaze.
Heather did not answer; numerous thoughts flashed through her mind because she was trying to find the best response to explain herself.
“I was truly shocked when I saw this newspaper when I entered the study. I couldn’t believe that you were the person in the picture,” Myra sounded as though her heart was breaking. To be fair, it is good news that Heather is dating, but everything is happening suddenly. Besides, she is currently with someone unknown and they are progressing at an alarming speed. How could I possibly accept that?
Previously, Heather told me in person that she has only met Matthias once. I just don’t understand why she has lied to me. Is it due to the fact that Matthias is on my opposing side? I do not believe that Heather has kept this a secret from me due to such superficial reasons. I need an explanation from her.
