Chapter 285

Someone like Ronnie might not be so quick to just get a divorce...

"And about Brandon..."

Royce brought up another issue.

I nodded. "Brandon? What's up with him?"

"Simon heard that the day after you visited Brandon in prison, Maeve went to see him too. We don't know what they talked about, but soon after, there were rumors that Brandon might be getting out."

"You think someone's pulling strings behind the scenes?"

Royce nodded. "Yeah, that's what I think. There are still some unresolved issues with the Jordan family. We can't let our guard down."

Suddenly, I lost my appetite.

One thing after another, it was exhausting.

The shadow Brandon cast, and everything with the Jordan family-how much longer would it take to get rid of it all?

I stared blankly at the food in front of me, only snapping out of it when I noticed Royce watching me.

"Why aren't you eating either?"

I smiled awkwardly. "Did I ruin your appetite?"

"No, I just wanted to look at you."

Royce's deep voice made me feel warm inside.

"Thank goodness for you."

Looking back, if it hadn't been for Royce, I wouldn't have gotten so much help or managed to leave my previous marriage so smoothly.

"Thanks for all your help during this time."

Royce raised an eyebrow. "Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"

"Are you planning to break up with me?"

His words caught me off guard. "What?"

"You suddenly saying this makes it sound like you don't want to be with me anymore."

Royce's voice had a slight tremble.

I could sense his unease.

I quickly said, "That's not what I meant..."

"So, you do want to be with me?"

The sadness on Royce's face vanished.

He was teasing me!

I widened my eyes. "You were pretending to be sad!"

"Not entirely. I was genuinely worried you didn't want to be with me."

He reached out and gently patted my hand on the table. "Hearing you say that, I feel relieved."

I pouted. "I think you did it on purpose. You just wanted a definite answer from me."

"If I said I wouldn't be with you, would you still pursue me?"

I blushed as I asked.

At my age, I didn't know why I cared so much about this.

Royce laughed. "Do you want me to keep pursuing you?"

"...Yes." My voice was small.

"I didn't hear you."

I pouted. "If you didn't hear, then forget it. I didn't say anything."

After our playful banter, my appetite returned, and I didn't have to think about those annoying people and things anymore.

I ate with a much better mood, and then I heard Royce say seriously, "Even if we're together, I can still buy you flowers every day."

"You want to feel loved and cherished, and I can give you all of that."

I didn't dare look up.

I was afraid that seeing the clear love and tenderness on Royce's face would make me agree to be with him right away.

I had always thought that until Joanna's situation was resolved, I wouldn't be with Royce.

Otherwise, it would feel awkward.

At least until I was sure Joanna would be okay.

But I didn't tell Royce this. After dinner, he drove me home but didn't come upstairs.

"Say hi to Mrs. Sharp and the kids for me."

Royce leaned in for a light hug.

I couldn't help but laugh. "If you want to talk to them, why not come upstairs? Brett said he hasn't seen you in a while."

"I have some work to handle at the office later, so I can't today."

He pinched my cheek, and I shyly pushed his hand away. "Stop that."

"I'll visit with gifts another day."

I agreed and went upstairs alone.

In the lobby, someone called out to me.

"Caroline."

Simon was dressed in black casual clothes and a baseball cap, looking much younger.

I suddenly remembered Kathy saying she didn't want to be with Simon because he seemed too young.

"Caroline, why are you smiling?"

Simon looked at me curiously as he walked over.

I quickly shook my head. "It's nothing. Why are you here? Weren't you busy these past few days?"

"I went to a neighboring city to investigate something and just got back. I checked out that house we were looking for the kids in, and it had burned down, almost to ruins."

I was stunned. "Ruins? Was anyone..."

Was anyone hurt?

Simon knew what I was asking and shook his head. "No, it was an old gas explosion. Luckily, no one was hurt."

"But it made me think. If there were no secrets in that house, why burn it down?"

I agreed. "It is suspicious. Did anyone report it?"

"Yes, someone nearby called it in. The fire department handled it, but since there were no bodies, the police ruled it an accident."

But Simon telling me this meant there were still many questions.

I whispered, "Are you still investigating?"

"Of course. We need to get to the bottom of this." Simon's answer was always reassuring.

"That's good... I'll leave it to you."

Then I remembered Brandon and quickly said, "Oh, there's something else I might need your help with."

I told him about Brandon's possible release and Maeve's actions.

"I know about that too, but I didn't expect them to be so blatant. I'll investigate as thoroughly as I can."

I nodded. "Thank you so much."

"No problem. I'm heading to another city tomorrow. I'll catch up with you and Kathy for dinner when I'm back."

After seeing Simon off, I went home, feeling heavy-hearted.

All these events were overwhelming, but being home felt like a relief.

Especially seeing Kelly busy around the house and the kids being so innocent and happy...

It made all my past struggles feel worth it.

If I hadn't been determined to escape that mess and save myself, I wouldn't have this happy family now, or see my mom and kids.

Thinking of this, I suddenly covered my face and cried.

Kelly saw me crying as she came over, startled, and quickly tried to see my face.

I looked up, tears blurring my vision, and saw her. "Mom..."