Broken Oath: I Left, He Regretted-Chapter 122: Uncle Visits My Home Late at Night

Chapter 122: Chapter 122: Uncle Visits My Home Late at Night

"Mom? Dad?"

I looked at them in surprise and asked, "What brings you here? Come on in!"

Sharon sensibly went to get them slippers.

Mr. Ellison sighed and said, "Since you wouldn’t come home, we had to come ourselves. The New Year is only once a year; we should all be together."

As he spoke, he placed a large lunch box on the table and said, "Your mom made dumplings overnight, it’s your favorite three-flavor filling."

I felt even more guilty and choked up, "I’m sorry, I... should have gone to see you."

"We know you don’t want to see your brother."

Mrs. Ellison gently held my hand, patted it, and said, "It’s not just you; even your dad and I can’t stand him now."

Mr. Ellison interrupted, "Alright, it’s New Year, let’s not mention him. That worthless brat; I’ll just pretend I never had that son."

I asked in confusion, "Did something happen?"

Mrs. Ellison furrowed her brows and said, "Your dad and I tried to introduce several girls to him, hoping he’d settle down, but he drove them all away. This morning at breakfast, I just mentioned his marriage, and he put down his chopsticks and left. On New Year’s, he just left us at home. Tell me, how did he end up like this?"

I wanted to say that anyone who dealt with someone like Serena Sawyer would end up spoiled.

But I didn’t want to bring up such unpleasant things on this day, so I said, "Mom, Dad, why don’t you spend today here with me. I just bought a lot of food a couple of days ago, the fridge is full."

Mrs. Ellison said with feeling, "Luckily, we still have you."

And with that, Mr. Ellison and Mrs. Ellison got up to help me start preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner.

Mrs. Ellison asked in puzzlement about Sharon’s background.

"Whose child is this?"

I explained, "She’s a friend of Julian Sinclair’s; he doesn’t have time to take care of her, so he left her with me. Fortunately, she’s a very well-behaved child, not much trouble at all."

Mrs. Ellison asked in surprise, "Are you that close with him? He... trusts you with this kind of thing?"

Sharon chimed in, "Uncle Sinclair even cooks for Auntie Ellison."

Mrs. Ellison looked at me with wide eyes, incredulous, "No way? The other day he seemed so proud; a man like him can cook?"

"It’s true, Uncle Sinclair is very nice."

Sharon kept singing Julian Sinclair’s praises.

I’m particularly wary of people mentioning Julian Sinclair in front of me now, things that were no big deal seem blown out of proportion.

I calmly said, "Julian Sinclair was just cooking for Sharon, I just benefited from it."

Mrs. Ellison looked at me, half-believing.

But Mr. Ellison looked worried and said, "Zoe, you have to think carefully. You married Timothy Xavier before, which was a mismatch that brought you so much grief. Julian Sinclair’s status is even higher than Timothy’s; you can’t lose your head. Even if you remain single, we can’t go for another Timothy Xavier!"

Mrs. Ellison shot her husband a look and said, "Why do you always say such discouraging things? Not all men are bastards like Timothy Xavier! That worthless kid is just right for an awful woman like Serena Sawyer! We were so good to him when he was little! I made all those dumplings for his dog mouth!"

After all, Timothy Xavier used to love eating the three-flavor dumplings Mrs. Ellison made.

At this point, Mr. Ellison looked solemnly at me and asked, "You’ve gone through with the divorce procedure with him, right?"

I hadn’t mentioned how shamelessly Timothy Xavier had threatened me yet, but Mrs. Ellison said, "Of course, it’s done!"

Mr. Ellison said, "Then why didn’t you tell us anything?"

Mrs. Ellison said, "Zoe definitely didn’t want us to worry; otherwise, that little vixen Serena wouldn’t be bragging online about her pregnancy everywhere!"

I remained silent, quietly chopping vegetables.

Mr. and Mrs. Ellison realized they had brought up something painful for me, so they changed the subject and praised Sharon for being easy to handle.

Since the three of us were busily preparing the meal without a break.

By noon, the table was full of dishes, with the dumplings Mrs. Ellison brought in the middle.

Mr. Ellison raised his glass and said, "Come, cheers, let’s hope the new year brings us all smooth sailing!"

Mrs. Ellison sighed slightly and said, "Ah, this year is really quiet, without Timothy Xavier, without Declan."

I didn’t respond, and Mr. Ellison discontentedly said, "You’re talking as if they’re dead."

"Phooey, phooey, phooey!"

Mrs. Ellison quickly knocked on the table a few times and said, "It’s New Year’s, and you talk like that, you looking to die?"

Watching my parents banter, I suddenly felt as if I was back in The Ellison Family before I got married, where they’d have these exchanges every few days.

My brother and I would just watch them with smiles; those were truly carefree times.

Back then, I thought that if I married Timothy Xavier, it would be like this.

To go on bickering lovingly like this, that would be a lifetime.

"Mom, Dad, may you always be this happy."

I looked at them deeply and said, "No matter what issues I have with my brother, I’ll always be your daughter."

Mrs. Ellison’s eyes were red as she said, "You just need to live your life well! And here you are worrying about us."

This year’s New Year, I don’t know what’s happening.

If it’s not her crying, it’s me crying, and Mr. Ellison is sighing deeply.

And just like that, our lunch concluded.

I prepared the guest room for my parents, hoping they’d stay over.

After all, my brother still hasn’t come home. Even if they return to The Ellison Family, they’d only find themselves lonely.

But Mrs. Ellison refused, insisting on leaving.

Though my brother had upset her greatly, she said, "What if that kid comes to his senses and returns tonight? We can’t not have a hot meal ready."

Mr. Ellison grumbled, "He deserves to come back to no food and think about how comfortable he’s had it all these years!"

Despite his words, deep down the two still wished to spend New Year with their son, so they left.

I thought it would just be Sharon and me seeing in the New Year together.

But then, unexpectedly at dusk, there was a knock at the door.

Opening it, I found it was my grandparents.

My grandfather said, "That rascal Timothy said if he invited you, you surely wouldn’t come. So, I brought your grandmother to personally invite you for New Year’s dinner at our house."

I was moved by my grandparents’ sincerity, but still politely declined: "Grandpa, my parents are here today, and we prepared a whole New Year’s meal. We haven’t finished it yet."

Grandfather looked at me, deeply pained: "Zoe, I know our family has wronged you. No matter what, by next year you and Timothy will be parting ways. This year is meant to be our family’s last reunion year."

Grandmother gave a bitter smile and said, "Yes, and with my health, I might not make it through to next year."

"Don’t say things like that."

Grandfather scolded, "Didn’t Julian mention a new effective medicine?"

He continued, looking at me, "Zoe, please do me this one favor this year and come home for a reunion dinner."

"But... there are my friend’s children at home."

I glanced at Sharon on the sofa.

Grandfather quickly added, "Then bring them along, it’s just an extra set of chopsticks."

During this festive New Year’s season, my grandparents came all the way just to have me over for dinner.

I couldn’t refuse the elderly couple.

Thus, I brought Sharon along to the Kendall Family’s home.

When we arrived, Timothy had already brought Doris over.

Doris shyly asked upon seeing me, "Are you feeling better?"

I smiled, "I’ve been better for a while."

Doris extended her small hand and said, "New Year’s red envelope!"

I awkwardly replied, "Sorry, I didn’t think to prepare one."

After all, I hadn’t expected to see her this New Year.

Doris furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "Did you prepare one for Sharon?"

In fact, I had already given Sharon a New Year’s red envelope.

But Sharon said, "Auntie Ellison didn’t give me a red envelope! Maybe she plans to give it to us tonight!"

After she spoke, Doris’s eyebrows relaxed, and she pulled Sharon, saying, "I’ll take you to play!"

I couldn’t help but appreciate Sharon’s thoughtfulness.

Doris took Sharon to play with her dolls.

Not long after, Timothy approached me and handed me a red envelope, saying, "You can give this to Doris after dinner, it’ll make her happy."

Since I hadn’t prepared an envelope, I accepted it but said nothing to him.

In a tone laced with undeniable bitterness, he said, "Grandpa and Grandma certainly have more influence than me. If it were just me inviting you, you definitely wouldn’t have come."

Just as he finished speaking, Grandfather gave him a stern look, filled with disappointment: "Isn’t it all your own doing? If you hadn’t fooled around outside and had just lived well with Zoe, would she treat you like this?"

Grandmother quickly stepped in to mediate, gently pulling on Grandfather’s arm: "Alright, alright, it’s New Year. It’s rare for a family to be together; let’s not ruin it with unpleasant words."

Grandfather huffed, "Let Doris and them stop playing; let’s eat first! The dishes are getting cold."

But Grandmother remained where she was, a touch of hesitation on her face, and then softly said, "Just a moment longer. I... I’ve also invited Sophia. At the end of the day, no matter what happened, she’s still family, and during New Year, families should reunite."

"Why did you invite her?"

Grandfather’s anger flared again, his voice escalating, "That foolish woman sided with that vixen, hurting her own son and daughter-in-law. It’s because of her that a good family is like this, and she has the nerve to come to this New Year’s dinner!"

"Sophia is someone I raised myself. If she’s made mistakes, then as her mother, I’m partly to blame."

Grandmother sighed, her voice full of helplessness, "We can reprimand her any other day, but it’s New Year, just let it go a little, give her some respect."

As the two were talking, footsteps were heard at the door, and Sophia Kendall pushed the door open and came in.

To everyone’s surprise, Serena Sawyer followed behind her.

Serena deliberately dressed in maternity clothes, gently protecting her flat belly with one hand, and said, "Grandfather, Grandmother, Happy New Year! I’m here to wish you both a Happy New Year."

Timothy Xavier’s eyes narrowed, and he frowned at his mother, asking, "Why did you bring Serena here?"

Sophia Kendall said matter-of-factly, "Serena is your son’s mother. If she doesn’t come, who will?"

Grandfather saw Serena Sawyer and was so angry that his hand trembled. He pointed at Sophia Kendall’s nose and scolded, "I don’t think you’re here to eat at all. You’re here to make trouble for me!"

"Dad, that’s not fair."

Sophia Kendall stood in front of Serena, protecting her as if she were a treasure, and said, "Serena is carrying the rightful heir of The Xavier Family. She has the most right to be here! Unlike some people..."

She changed her tone, giving me a disdainful look, "Who are about to divorce Timothy, yet shamelessly come to mooch a New Year’s Eve dinner. Truly shameless!"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Grandfather was so angry that his face turned red and exclaimed, "Zoe was personally invited by me. Her willingness to come gives me face! Unlike this disgraceful thing, knowing she’s not welcome, yet insists on coming. Is she lacking food from The Kendall Family!"

Seeing Serena Sawyer, I knew this New Year’s Eve dinner wasn’t going to go well.

So I said, "Grandfather, Grandmother, I’ll take Sharon and leave. Truly, I came at the wrong time."

"Zoe."

Grandfather quickly stopped me and said, "The one who should leave is not you. Stay here peacefully!"

After saying that, the old man directly went to the kitchen and got a broom, saying, "Today I’m going to sweep this trash out!"

No one expected Grandfather to be so resistant to Serena Sawyer’s presence.

Afraid to hurt Serena Sawyer and the future grandson, Sophia Kendall quickly protected Serena and shouted to Grandmother, "Mom! Do something about Dad! What’s going on!"

At this moment, Doris brought Sharon down from upstairs. Seeing Serena Sawyer, Doris excitedly ran over, "Mom! I missed you so much."

From her reaction, it seemed she hadn’t seen Serena Sawyer for a long time.

Grandfather, seeing Doris arrive, slowly put down the broom in his hand, worried about scaring her.

Seeing this, Serena Sawyer quickly hugged Doris and said, "Mommy missed you too."

After that, she looked at me with a half-smile and, as if claiming ownership, said, "Miss Ellison, I heard Doris stayed with you for a few days recently; sorry for the trouble."

Grandmother, fearing Serena Sawyer might stir up trouble again, quickly said, "The children are all down, let’s eat first! It’s rare to celebrate a reunion on New Year’s Eve, let’s all be happy, okay?"

As she spoke, she took the broom from Grandfather’s hand.

Timothy Xavier saw that I was reluctant to take a seat and softly said, "Today is New Year’s Eve. Don’t upset the elders, alright? Whatever you have to say, we can talk after eating."

Looking at Grandfather’s guilty expression, I ultimately didn’t take Sharon away.

The dishes on the table were steaming, yet they couldn’t warm the stiff atmosphere.

Grandfather let me sit by his side, then pointed to the end position and told Serena Sawyer, "Either sit there or get out."

Serena tightly gripped her chopsticks, unable to show her usual sharpness, and could only say with grievance, "I’ll do whatever Grandfather says."

So she moved to the last position to sit down.

Doris walked over to her side, wanting to sit next to her.

But before Doris could sit down, Sophia Kendall suddenly got up from her chair and grabbed Doris’s arm.

She said, "Doris, be good, go sit with your dad. You always like to jump around when you walk, what if you accidentally bump into your mom? She has your only brother in her belly, you need to be careful."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly dimming Doris’s expression.

Her shoulders drooped, and her once sparkling eyes lost their light.

Just then, Sharon shifted her chair, adding another chair next to hers, and said, "Doris, why not sit here? Let’s be together!"

Though Doris sat next to Sharon, the loneliness in her eyes lingered.

And I noticed something strange about Serena Sawyer again.

While eating, her chopsticks barely moved, yet her eyes seemed glued to Sharon, filled with complex emotions.

Confusion, curiosity, and a hint of something undecipherable to me.

I couldn’t fathom what Serena Sawyer was looking at.

The meal finally ended.

Grandmother wasn’t feeling well, and she was worried during the meal that Grandfather and Serena Sawyer would clash again, so she didn’t eat well at all.

After the meal, Grandmother weakly gasped, and Grandfather said, "I’ll take your grandmother to the room for some oxygen. You all watch the Spring Festival Gala for now. I’ll be back soon."

After they went upstairs, the atmosphere in the living room instantly became oppressive.

I felt there was no need to stay any longer.

Just as I was about to leave with Sharon, she whispered, "Auntie Ellison, I need to use the bathroom again."

I nodded and watched her run towards the bathroom.

Timothy said to Doris, "Your mom just prepared a red envelope for you. Make sure to wish her a Happy New Year nicely, and she will give you a big red envelope."

Doris was stunned, only then realizing that the ’mom’ Timothy was referring to was me.

Sophia snorted disdainfully and said, "She’s raising someone else’s daughter; what right does she have to be Doris’s mom? Has she raised Doris all these years? Doris turned out so well, and that’s all thanks to The Xavier Family and Serena!"

But Doris didn’t react as she used to; instead, she walked up to me and said, "Happy New Year!"

I looked at her with relief and took out the red envelope Timothy gave me before dinner and handed it to her.

Doris was very happy and asked, "Will my red envelope be bigger than Sharon’s?"

Before I could speak, I was suddenly startled by the sound of crying from over there.

Then I saw Serena pulling Sharon’s wrist, dragging her into the living room.

I immediately went over, pushed her away, and said, "What are you doing?"

Although I didn’t exert much force, Serena seemed unsteady.

The next second, Timothy rushed over a few steps to support her and asked in a low voice, "Are you alright?"

That expression was evidently very tense.

This showed that he had already accepted Serena and her unborn child.

I wasn’t surprised, but I couldn’t accept that he let this woman repeatedly mess with the kids.

Sophia saw what was happening and cursed angrily, "Zoe, what kind of intentions do you have? Serena is carrying The Xavier Family’s eldest grandson, and you dare to bully her right in front of us! What, do you think The Xavier Family is easy to push around?"

Serena leaned into Timothy’s arms, deliberately aggrieved, "Miss Ellison, the kid you brought just tripped me, and I almost fell."

Sophia was even angrier hearing this, pointing at me, "I see you did it on purpose! You’re really something! You actually want to use this stray child to get rid of Serena and her baby."

Sharon was crying anxiously and said to me, "Auntie Ellison, I didn’t, I really didn’t. I didn’t even touch her. You have to believe me..."

"Auntie believes you."

I squatted down to comfort her, "Our Sharon is the most well-behaved, and wouldn’t do such a thing."

Serena said with an ulterior tone, "Miss Ellison, you’re unclear about this child’s background. Don’t raise an ingrate that might harm you. I’d say you should send this child back; otherwise, when she makes mistakes it will only be troublesome for you."

"You’re spouting nonsense! I’m not an ingrate, I’m not!"

Sharon cried even harder, and my heart ached like hell.

I said coldly, "Serena, you’re overstepping too much! Whom I’m kind to or whom I take care of is none of your business! Do you really think you’re anything special?"

Serena looked at Timothy and said, "Timothy, I’m just thinking of Miss Ellison. This child seems to be up to no good, and if Miss Ellison keeps protecting her like this, it could be troublesome down the line..."

Timothy’s gaze fell coldly on Sharon, and he said to me, "You’ve been taking care of this child for so long; aren’t you going to send her back for the New Year? Otherwise, I can contact The Hawthorne Family. After all, we’re still married, and you need my consent to raise her. I believe The Hawthorne Family won’t ignore the trouble she’s causing here."

Serena seized the chance to say, "That’s right, Timothy. What prestigious family sends their child to be raised somewhere else? The Hawthorne Family is also concerned about appearances. Why not let them come and take the child back today?"

Sharon’s tears fell like raindrops, and she held onto my hand, saying, "Auntie Ellison, please don’t let them complain. My mom already doesn’t like me; if she finds out, she’ll be even angrier!"

"Don’t cry, we mustn’t cry. Auntie won’t let anyone take you away!"

I held Sharon’s hand and looked coldly at Timothy and Serena, saying, "You better not rile me up! Serena, don’t forget you’re the other woman, and that’s what you’ll always be! If I show our marriage certificate, you and Timothy will be ruined immediately!"

Sophia reacted by pointing at me and saying, "You wretched woman! I dare you! Unless you want The Ellison Family and your vegetable mom to die! Even if we are ruined, we still have our assets and can live lavishly! The Xavier Family’s wealth can’t be spent even in ten lifetimes! But you’re different; you would be risking your entire family’s lives!"

Her arrogant demeanor disgusted me so much I almost threw up the New Year’s dinner!

I left The Kendall Family with Sharon, not wanting to stay with those scumbags for a single minute more.

Once outside, I remembered that I came in The Kendall Family’s car and hadn’t driven here myself.

The streets were empty for the New Year, not a taxi in sight.

I regretted it immensely, realizing I shouldn’t have softened and come for this dinner.

I held Sharon’s hand, walking alone on the road, and recalled the time I was abandoned by Timothy at The Kendall Family and walked alone just as helplessly.

Later, it was Julian who drove past me and took me back.

But now, Julian must be celebrating New Year’s with his family in Aurelia.

No one like him would stop halfway to let me in the car again.

My eyes stung unbearably, and I said to the silent little girl beside me, "Sharon, I’m sorry. We could have watched the Spring Festival Gala at home and eaten snacks together, but now you’re stuck out here in the cold with me."

Sharon’s voice was soft as she reassured me, "Auntie Ellison, don’t cry. I’m alright. You’re willing to trust me, that means so much to me already! All this time, my mom always misunderstood me, but you trust me, and that matters so much."

Just then, my phone rang, and seeing the name ’Julian Sinclair’ on the screen made my nose sting suddenly.

I answered with a low "Hello."

His rich voice came through, "Where are you?"

I clenched my phone, trying to keep my voice light, "I’m home, watching the Spring Festival Gala with Sharon. Happy New Year!"

On the other end, there was a two-second pause before Julian’s deep voice came through the receiver, "I’m right at your door, and no one’s home."