Yvonne stood up from the sofa. "The tea was nice today, but there are too many people here who make me lose my appetite. I''ll be leaving now."


    With that, she turned and walked out.


    Perhaps they had developed an unspoken understanding recently, because as soon as Yvonne left, Jeffrey pulled Teresa along and followed her out.


    Seeing this, Jerome also grabbed his wife and left.


    Because Mr. James Sr. was determined to marry their daughter off to that scoundrel Darcy, Jerome''s wife had clearly lost all hope.


    What should have been a happy Thanksgiving family reunion ended on a sour note.


    After leaving the James family, Yvonne didn''t go straight back to Cherry Apartment. Instead, she drove to a gift shop and bought many presents for Bruce and Monica.


    Yvonne filled her entire trunk with gifts and drove to the Jones family''s small courtyard, only to see a ck Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon parked inside.


    Bet was supposed to be away on a mission. Why was he back early?!


    Yvonne''s first instinct was to flee, but Monica was in the yard and spotted her immediately.


    "Yvonne, you''re here! Come on in!" Monica''s eyes lit up with joy when she saw Yvonne, and she smiled as she came to greet her.


    "Mrs. Jones," Yvonne said, forcing herself to get out of the car. She opened the trunk and started taking out the gifts.


    "I''m just happy you came to visit. You don''t need to bring all these things next time," Monica chided gently, then took Yvonne''s hand and led her into the courtyard.


    The courtyard was bustling with activity. Not only was Bet there, but his aunt and uncle were as well.


    They were old ssmates, and their families had always been close. That''s how Yvonne and Bet had the chance to be childhood sweethearts.


    Otherwise, given the Jones family''s social standing, she would never have even had the chance to meet Mr. Thompson.


    Now, Mr. Moore and Mrs. Moore, just like Bruce and Monica, were parents who had lost their only child.


    The two families, bonded by shared grief, were spending the holiday together.


    Yvonne hadn''t seen Mr. and Mrs. Moore in many years.


    When Flora was alive, Mr. and Mrs. Moore always had smiles on their faces. Yvonne was Flora''s shadow, often tagging along to the Moore family''s house for dinner.


    Mrs. Moore would always cook their favorite dishes herself.


    But after so many years, Mr. Moore''s hair had turned almostpletely white, and Mrs. Moore''s eyes were lined with wrinkles. The smiles were gone, and they both looked pale and aged.


    And yet, they were only in their early fifties.


    Monica led Yvonne in by the hand.


    Mr. and Mrs. Moore both looked oyer as did Bet who was sitting beside them. He lifted his head, dark, deep eyes merely nang past Yvonne.


    "This is Yvonne. She''s a young girl Vonnie saved before she passed. She came especially to see me and Morgan for the holiday," Monica introduced with a smile.


    "Yvonne, this is Mr. and Mrs. Moore," Monica said to Yvonne.


    "Hello, Mr. Moore, Mrs. Moore," Yvonne greeted politely.


    "She''s a conscientious girl," Mr. Moore said with a chuckle.


    Mrs. Moore was standing in front of a picture of the deceased Yvonne. After lighting three sticks of incense, she turned to look at the living Yvonne. She studied her for a


    moment before smiling gently. "She


    seem


    like very likable gift if Flora a


    and Vonnie were still alive, I''m sure


    they would have loved her like a little


    sister."


    "Why bring that up on a day like today?" Mr. Moore''s expression shifted slightly.


    "Why can''t I bring it up? If Vonnie


    were still alive, she and Bet would be married with children by


    now. Thered be no ce for that Ynda. I don''t know why, but every time see that Ynda, my heart aches and I feel ill."