She threw off the nket and hurried to find Gwh, only to see her sitting before the mirror, an indescribable mncholy clouding her features.


    "Aunt Gwh?"


    Leonie rubbed her eyes, and when she looked again, Gwh''s expression was back to normal.


    "You''re up?"


    Gwh offered her a gentle smile and stood up. "We''ve been away for a while," she said softly. "It''s time to go back."


    She had made up her mind. She would go back to Hawthorne, because this wedding had to happen.


    She was an adult now and had to take responsibility for her actions and for her family.


    Even if this rtionship and marriage brought her pain, she was willing to do anything if it could offer her grandfather even a moment of relief.


    Leonie cupped a hand to her ear, thinking she''d misheard. "Go where?" she asked again.


    "It''s time for you to go home. And I need to go find your uncle."


    What?


    Leonie grabbed Gwh''s hand, her voice brimming with excitement.


    "Aunt Gwh, you''re not mad at Uncle Hawthorne anymore? I swear on my life, there''s nothing going on between him and that woman. She''s the one who keeps chasing after him! He might have liked her in the past, but I know that now that he has you, he wouldn''t even look at another woman. You have to believe me."


    Gwh just nced at her.


    Fearing Gwh didn''t believe her, Leonie began to swear a solemn oath. Gwh knew nothing about what Hawthorne had really done, and she didn''t want Leonie getting caught in the crossfire.


    Afraid she might drag her entire family into her vows, Gwh quickly stopped her.


    "Alright, alright, I believe you. Let''s pack our things and go."


    She''d been away long enough. Leonie immediately called Hawthorne.


    "Uncle Hawthorne, Aunt Gwh agreed toe back! Can youe pick us up?"


    Hawthorne''s surprise was palpable even over the phone.


    Gwh hade around so quickly? She was willing toe back?


    It seemed unbelievable, but he didn''t hesitate for a second. "Okay,” he replied


    instantly. "I''m on my way to get you now."


    After hanging up, Leonie turned to find Gwh standing right behind her. She gave an awkward smile.


    "I thought it would be safer if Uncle Hawthorne picked us up, so I called him. You don''t mind, do you, Aunt Gwh?"


    Gwh''s expression was calm and unreadable.


    "Are your things packed?"


    Seeing that her aunt wasn''t upset, Leonie rxed and nodded eagerly.


    "All packed and ready to go."


    To be honest, after staying here for so long, she was a little sad to leave. Apart from the boredom, she had enjoyed watching the rain every day and falling asleep to its gentle rhythm. It felt rather poetic


    No wonder so many tourists loved to vacation here. For someone with


    Leonte e personality, the ce wa?a bit too quiet, but for Gwh, she truly didn''t want to leave.


    Gwh and Leonie waited for Hawthorne under the eaves. Thendy, Ms.


    Everhart, was very reluctant to see them go.


    It wasn''t often she had guests who


    were so generous and tidy. The two young women kept the ce spotless every day, she barely had to do anything besides take out the trash and change the sheets.


    “Thank you for everything," Gwh said, handing Ms. Everhart a painting as a parting gift. It was a depiction of the view from thendy''s front door.


    A charming spring scene with weeping willows.


    Ms. Everhart was overjoyed and immediately hung the painting in the center of her living room.