After T passed away, Samuel became so consumed by grief that be neglected her daughter. It was Ca who stayed by Tessa''s side-day and night-when she


    had a bich trvE.


    Overwhelmed by the loss of T, Tessa lost het appetite and couldn''t bring herself to eat. It was also ca who kept herpany, offeringfort and patiently masing ber to mat


    It I hadn''t been for Ca, Tessa might not have made it threach


    To Tessa, Ca was the family.


    Although they hadn''t been in touch for the past three years, she still called ca during the holidays. Lest in thought, Tessa handed Ca a gif box. This is Haverford''s famous truffles. You should have it for a meal,"


    epting the trifles, Cada smiled. "I''ll make it for you tonight, Ms. Tessa."


    Tessa shook her head. "No, it''s for you. I''ve had it plenty of times, so I brought some back for you to try." Ca quiddy declined. "Oh, you really shouldn''t."


    However, Tessa insisted, gently cing the box of truffles into Ca''s arms. "Please take it. You''ve done so much for me over the years. It''s just a small token of


    Ca was deeply moved as her eyes welled up with tears. "Ms.


    Tessa Trosa, you''re back?" A cheerful, childlike voice interrupted, and a little girl rushed over to hug Tessa.


    ussed you so much! I''m so happy you''re finally back!" Seline wrapped her arms around Tessa''s leg, her eyes sparkling with joy as she gazed up at Tesss. seline, her half-sister, was only eight years old. Seline was always very attached to her, but Tessa had kept her distance.


    Tessa didn''t like Seline''s mother, so naturally, she didn''t have much affection for her half-sister either. Children were innocent, and Seline was so pure and sweet, always wanting to be close to her. So, even though Tessa didn''t particrly like her, she couldn''t bring


    Tessa nced down at Seline, ng, "Why did


    youe back from school so early?"


    "Seline heard from Carle that you wereing back, and she couldn''t wait to see you, so we decided toe back early," Marianne said with a smile as she walked


    Tessa''s expression stiffened


    Beton she can away from tome, it was clear that Tessa disliked her stepmother. For an entire year, she barely exchanged a word with Marianne. Teutated Manan not just because Samuel had betrayed T by marrying her, but also because Marianne had been T''s best friend.


    To Tsui, Marianne was a maniptive woman who wouldn''t hesitate to steal her best friend''s husband. Samuel was a scumbag who was so desperate that he would even sleep with his ex-wife''s best friend. Afterher mother''s death, all this resentment slowly transformed Tessa from the sweet, well-behaved girl everyone once praised into a rebellious teenager full of


    When Tessa didn''t respond, Marianne smiled and said, "Tessa, you must be tired. Go and rest. I''ll call you when dinner is ready."


    Beline shook Tessa''s hand with a yful smile "Tessa,e y in my room for a while, okay? I drew a picture. Want to see it? Tessa pulled her hand away with a cold expression. "No, I want to pest."


    "Oh, alright then line attacted her hand, pouting in disappointment


    Maristar gently took sne''s hat. "Don''t disturb your sister. She needs her rest."


    Ca, standing nearby, felt a little awkward "Ms. Yates, M. Tessa, I''ll go out to buy groceries now." Caller, Marianeled Selir away


    Tessa closed the door, and the house fell into silence


    When Senturi seturned hometer that red, the family gathered around the dinner table.


    Sansuri ne ed al Te


    "Why didn''t you mention you were counting back home?


    ''Tessa replied, "What difference would it have made it had? Whether I said it out, what would change?" Samuel toword "It''s breature years, and your temper still looser''t changed?"


    Tessa gave a sarcastic unde. "It''s been the years, yet you and Mso sill haven''t gotten a divorce?"