With that, Yvonne walked over to the truck loaded with their belongings and pulled out a few of her own clothes and personal items. She didn''t touch any of the designer gowns or jewelry that Teresa had bought for her.


    Carrying a small box, she looked at Teresa again, her voice calm and distant. "I''m an adult now; you have no obligation to support me any longer. I epted your support when I was younger, so I suppose that counts for something. In the future, I''ll send you monthly payments. Let''s just treat each other like distant rtives."


    After she finished speaking, Yvonne turned and walked out of the vi, pulling her box behind her.


    "Yvonne! Yvonne!" Teresa watched her daughter''s retreating back, crying her heart out. She knew she had finally andpletely lost this daughter.


    Yvonne took her things back to the apartment she was temporarily renting.


    It was a spacious two-bedroom in the city center, more than enough for one person. Most importantly, it was conveniently located, not far from Sandra''s apartment or their new office space.


    After briefly unpacking, Yvonne drove out again.


    She went to a small, exclusive restaurant.


    The ce was tucked away at the end of an alley and hard to find. It was run by a husband-and-wife team who served authentic cuisine.


    The restaurant had been open for many years and served a clientele of mostly regrs.


    Yvonne used toe here often with her parents. Her mother''s birthday dinner was held here every year.


    Yvonne timed her arrival perfectly, running into Bruce and Monica just as they arrived, with Bet following behind them.


    Bet was carrying a cake box. It was Monica''s birthday.


    "Mrs. Jones, Mr. Jones, what a coincidence," Yvonne said, feigning surprise as she walked toward them with a smile.


    "Yvonne." Monica was surprised to see her, but her face quickly softened into a warm, affectionate smile. "What are you doing here?"


    "A friend told me about this ce, said their local food was amazing, so I came to try it. I never expected to run into you."


    Yvonne smiled back, but her eyes


    welled up


    as she looked at her parents. It seemed her father had more gray at his temples, and while her mother was as beautiful and gentle as ever, themes around her eyes had deepened.


    "Are you here by yourself?" Monica asked, taking Yvonne''s hand.


    Yvonne nodded, exining, "I was supposed to meet a friend, but they had to cancel at thest minute, so I came alone."


    "Well, it''s no fun eating alone. Why, don''t you join us?" Monica invited her warmly. For some reason, she felt a natural closeness to this young woman.


    "I''d love to, but I wouldn''t want to intrude," Yvonne replied, feigning reluctance.


    “Not at all, not at all. It''s just us,” Monica said, taking Yvonne''s hand and leading her toward the private room they had booked.


    Yvonne let Monica lead her, with Bet happening to walk beside her.


    Yvonne nced at him and offered a polite greeting, "Mr. Bet Thompson."


    Bet''s dark eyes narrowed slightly as he gave her a quick, silent nce.


    The four of them entered the private room, and a waiter followed them in to set the table.


    "Please set five ces, thank you," Monica said to the waiter from her seat.


    There were only four of them, but she asked for five ce settings. The waiter was puzzled but didn''t say anything.


    After the waiter left, Yvonne casually asked, "Is someone else joining you?"


    Monica shook her head and replied with a gentle smile, "The extra ce setting is for our Yvonne."


    Yvonne was suddenly at a loss for


    words. She looked at her mother et


    who was smiling tenderly, but the corners of her eyes were already. turning red