CHAPTER 399: CHAPTER 399: USELESS SON

Ruby Sullivan frowned.

Ethan Sterling was taken aback, awkwardly released his grip, "Sorry." After saying that, he walked straight to his room without looking back.

Ruby Sullivan rolled her eyes, feeling like she’d been toyed with.

You’ve already got a girlfriend, so why act as if there’s still something left to show someone? Ethan Sterling, please don’t leave things unresolved, or I’ll be disappointed!

He was, after all, the man she loved—even after separating, Ruby Sullivan didn’t want him to become a jerk.

The next day, Vivian got up early to prepare a gift for Ruby Sullivan’s visit home. The Sullivan Family ended up like this, partly because of her son’s late emotional development. Although it’s too late to say anything now, she wanted Ruby Sullivan to return happily.

When Ruby Sullivan was ready to leave after breakfast and saw what Vivian prepared, she felt grateful and couldn’t help but give Vivian a big hug.

As she was about to leave, Ethan Sterling came down the stairs quickly, "Are you sure you don’t need me to go with you?"

"Definitely not," Ruby Sullivan replied straightforwardly.

Ethan Sterling stopped halfway down the stairs and turned back up.

Vivian shook her head at her son’s childish behavior, and after sending off Ruby Sullivan, she headed straight to Ethan Sterling’s room.

He was quick; in such a short time, he’d already taken off his suit and put on loungewear, sitting in the chair looking at the news on his iPad with such seriousness that he didn’t even blink or notice Vivian entering.

Seeing he was distracted, Vivian deliberately knocked hard on the door twice.

Ethan Sterling was startled by the sudden noise and almost threw his tablet. After recognizing the visitor, he looked displeased, "Funny?"

"Very funny," Vivian rolled her eyes at him. "I’m just reminding you, since you’ve decided to start over, don’t leave things hanging. If feelings aren’t handled well, it could end in mutual destruction. You’ve already hurt one, don’t let there be a second victim."

After saying this, she turned and left, not wanting to see his sour face.

Vivian knew she spoke harshly, but if she didn’t, who knows what strange things he might do. His selfish grandmother never even taught him the basics of being human—not understanding love nor being loved, just foolishly messing around.

Ethan Sterling was merely daydreaming earlier. The non-working days left him completely uneasy, unsure of what would be better to think about. Vivian’s reminder made him realize he should clarify things with Hannah Jennings a bit more.

Actually, after the ten-day deadline passed, he found her a bit clingy, which was annoying, so he proposed a breakup. As for why she called on New Year’s Day to say such things?

He really wanted to know!

*

When Ruby Sullivan got home, it was Brandon Sullivan who opened the door for her. Seeing she was alone, he seemed a bit disappointed, "Didn’t Ethan come with you?"

"No," Ruby Sullivan didn’t say much, and as she entered to change shoes, she noticed the dirty floor, with clear footprints showing the paths often walked. Moreover, Brandon Sullivan carried a strong, unpleasant smell, making one suspect he hadn’t bathed in a long time.

At a glance, the living room seemed quite tidy, but upon closer inspection, there was a thick layer of dust on the furniture—the only clean thing being the remote control.

Ruby Sullivan sat on the sofa and was choked by the smell of dust, starting to cough.

"Are the servants all on holiday?"

"Yes." Brandon Sullivan chuckled, not sensing any issue, "Just two servants, they’re both on holiday."

"How long has it been since this place was cleaned?"

"More than half a month, I suppose," Brandon Sullivan thought for a moment, "Can’t really remember."

"Then how long has it been since you bathed?"

"More than half a month," Brandon Sullivan said, then instinctively shuffled a little away from Ruby Sullivan.

Ruby Sullivan sighed, "Where’s Rhonda Sullivan?"

"She’s on vacation abroad." Brandon Sullivan noticed his daughter’s frown, so he chuckled and added, "She wanted to take me along, but I didn’t want to go. I wanted to spend the New Year at home."

Ruby Sullivan hesitated for a moment and asked with some discomfort, "You spent the New Year here all by yourself?"

Brandon Sullivan got up, "I’ll go make you some tea then. I’ll have to find the tea leaves first, though; can’t remember where I put them."

"Don’t bother looking, I don’t want any," Ruby Sullivan frowned, not knowing how to soften her expression.

She thought of the once-imposing father she used to know, the one who introduced her to perfume because she saw him using it. Yet now, residing in such a large house, one might think his life was still splendid, but in reality, he had no one caring for him.

Seeing him rummaging anxiously through a cabinet, she had to go over and grab his hand. "Stop looking, I don’t want any." She pulled him to sit on the sofa and continued to ask, "Why didn’t you call me when you were spending New Year alone at home?"

"I was afraid of disturbing your family reunion." Brandon Sullivan had a facade of a smile, no matter what he said, it was always a cheerful expression, which made Ruby Sullivan feel even worse.

"What are you smiling about? What’s there to be happy about? Weren’t you doing everything for Rhonda Sullivan? Why isn’t your dear daughter taking care of you now? I’ve severed ties with you long ago, don’t bother me, I don’t want to see you!" Ruby Sullivan seemed to suddenly burst out, shaking off his hand and storming out.

Once outside in the cold wind, she calmed down and sat on the steps in front of the door, feeling so upset she wanted to cry.

Since he made his choice, he should enjoy his family bliss. Even if life wasn’t going well, he shouldn’t let her know. Can’t he have some dignity?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. And the angrier she got, the more the tears flowed, so she buried her head in her knees and let herself cry it out.

She felt sorry for him but hated herself for this inexplicable sympathy.

She couldn’t forget that Honey and Seth almost lost their lives due to his momentary foolishness. She had sworn she’d never forgive him, truly not knowing how to forgive.

Yet he used this way to shatter all her coldness.

She hated him, and she hated herself.

Suddenly, she heard a rush of footsteps, seemingly getting closer and closer. She lifted her tear-stained face, and the cool breeze on her wet face made her shiver, but she still saw clearly who it was.

Ethan Sterling was running over in his trench coat and suit, stopping in front of her while still catching his breath, "What’s wrong?"

He drove over, arriving to see her sitting at the door, seemingly crying, and immediately ran over.

"What’s wrong?" He knelt down on one knee, asking again.

Ruby Sullivan then wiped her tears, "It’s the wind." Having tears during the New Year is very inauspicious; she felt like she’d triggered every possible taboo these past two days, wondering if there might be a multiplying effect.

Ethan Sterling raised his hand and lightly tapped her head, "Think I’m a fool?"

"Yes," Ruby Sullivan confirmed, tears and snot still flowing.