Chapter 35
It seemed I’d assumed Jack liked me.
I held the phone, reminiscing about my online crush from my past life.
To be precise, it was an unrequited love since I never confessed, and he never said he liked me either.
But his presence was like a flickering flame in my dim and tragic life, always warming me.
That feeling was similar to Jack’s existence.
Yet, I was never sure if Jack was really that person from my past.
Jack’s fingers moved slightly. “Helping someone in need requires no reason. I also help old ladies cross the street.”
I smiled, but felt a pang of disappointment. I said lightly, “After the college exams, I’ll leave the Welch family.”
“Welcome to live next door!”
After hanging up, I felt good as I took a shower and practiced a set of past exam questions before bed.
The final mock exam was approaching, and I was eager to see how much I had improved and if I had a chance to get into Harvard University.
As long as I could rank in the top ten, there should be hope.
The next day, I went to school as usual. I saw Chloe bringing a bowl of porridge to Noah.”Noah, I heard you had a stomachache. This porridge will help.” She even deliberately showed off her burn on her hand.
Seeing this, Noah’s heart softened, “You’re hurt. Don’t do this. Just let the servants handle it.”
“Noah, you’ve done so much for us, this is the least I can do,” Chloe said sweetly.
Noah was relieved and looked at me; I should know he was ill.
I saw the porridge and sneered. It had finally arrived.
I had no appetite and simply stood up to leave without asking a single question. Noah felt a pang of disappointment. Was I really not going to ask anything? Did I completely not care about my second brother anymore?
Chloe said smoothly, “Noah, Alice’s worried about you; she’s just sulking.”
“I hope so.” He hoped I was sulking; he didn’t think I’d truly cut ties with the family over such trivial matters.. Without my concern, he felt uneasy.
Chloe, achieving her goal, left for school. The housekeeper muttered, “Young master, Miss Welch didn’t even ask, that’s just too much!”
Noah’s face brightened seeing the porridge. Chloe was so thoughtful. He took a sip of the porridge, but instead of easing his stomach pain, it intensified. He frowned, remembering my medicinal porridge, which always alleviated his discomfort.
He instinctively said, “Have the kitchen prepare a portion of the medicinal porridge Alice used to make.”
< Chapter 35
The housekeeper hesitated. “Miss Welch makes it herself.”
“It’s just porridge!” He was uncomfortable and impatient.
A maid explained, “Sir, Miss Welch prepares the rice a day in advance. She wakes up early to prepare fresh ingredients. The cooking process and timing are crucial; even a slight mistake ruins it. It’s a recipe she got from an old doctor. None of us learned it, so Miss Welch has been the one preparing the medicinal porridge for years!”
After hearing this, Noah felt even worse for some reason. He covered his face with his hand, realizing how much I had sacrificed. He had no idea before; he thought making medicinal porridge was simple. He regretted neglecting me. I hadn’t been sulking; I’d been hurt.
He told the housekeeper, “Get the gifts Alice
gave Chloe.”
The housekeeper was surprised. “Aren’t those gifts from the young lady to Miss Black? If you take them back, wouldn’t that be unfair to her? She already feels insecure living in the Welch family; if you do this, how can she stand her ground here? You can’t just soften your heart over a bowl of medicinal porridge; Miss Black made you porridge and even got hurt!”
Noah pondered for a moment, recalling the sight of Chloe getting hurt earlier, and his heart softened at bit.”Forget it. Just get my gift back.”
At the very least, he needed to make a change first.
That evening, when I returned home, I ate dinner and locked myself in my room without coming out. Not long after, someone knocked on the door, and I heard Noah’s voice:”Alice, it’s me.”
I walked over and opened the door, my expression neutral:”What’s up?”
“This is for you.”
I saw a box containing an emerald necklace that looked very familiar. Wasn’t this the apology gift I had given to Chloe? What did my second brother mean by this?
Noah spoke with a hint of guilt:”Alice, I’m sorry. I know I made you suffer in the past. I brought the necklace back. I’ll buy another one for Chloe as compensation, but this one is different; you shouldn’t have to give it away.”
He regretted his actions all day, realizing he shouldn’t have done that at the banquet. He hadn’t thought it through.
I felt a bit dazed. I never expected my second brother would actually ‘return’ this necklace! How strange! In my past life, I never got these back before I died.
I said calmly, “No need. You can’t just take back something that’s been given away.”
“Alice, just accept it. Otherwise, I won’t feel right inside. Consider it my compensation to you, okay?”
What kind of compensation was this? A slap followed by a sweet treat?
I saw Chloe hiding in the corner. I said loudly, “Noah, I have to criticize you. I willingly gave the gift to Chloe. How can you take it back without reason? Aren’t you hurting her feelings? Right, Chloe?”
Noah, seeing Chloe, felt uneasy. After all, he hadn’t asked her about it.
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Chloe stepped forward, her tone sincere.”Alice, the gifts were temporarily with me. I’m glad they’re back. I don’t deserve such an expensive gift anyway; I’ve always been aware of my own worth.”
Chloe’s tone was particularly sincere. But after she spoke, she quickly turned and walked away, even wiping her tears, looking upset.
Noah panicked.”Chloe?”
I leaned against the door.”Noah, go comfort her.”
Men
Noah said, “Alice, I was sincerely apologizing to you just now, but why did you have to say those things to hurt Chloe? I may be biased and made you feel wronged, but Chloe hasn’t done anything wrong! Her father saved your life; don’t forget that!”
I smiled coldly. Nothing had really changed. I’d almost been swayed just now.
Merw
