CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: THE PAST

After the funeral, the Sterlings returned home and sat in the living room, feeling somewhat awkward.

Thanks to the elder Mrs. Sterling, they hadn’t seen each other for nearly twenty years. Ethan Sterling’s mother, Rachel Lawson, looked around at the unfamiliar living room and felt a little melancholy. "The old house was sold?"

"It was sold after you left. Grandma said it invoked too many memories," Ethan Sterling replied.

Cindy yawned, struggling to stay awake, "Sorry, everyone, I’m just too tired."

After she spoke, she sleepily shuffled off to the guest room to catch some sleep. Fortunately, her work with the Sterling Group had required her to return to the country, otherwise, she might not have had the time to attend this funeral. Honestly, although she knew she had a grandmother, she hadn’t seen her since she was two, so she naturally didn’t feel too sad now.

Ethan Sterling glanced at Leon Sterling, who seemed lost in thought, assuming he was also jet-lagged. "If you’re tired, you should rest as well."

Leon was startled, blinking as he said, "I’m not tired. It’s still early; I want to go out for a stroll. Is there... a bicycle?"

"There’s a driver."

Leon smiled wryly, "Alright then, I’m going out to have some fun, bye." He patted Rachel’s shoulder, smiling dotingly, as if he were looking at his little sister.

Rachel also tugged at his hand, only looking back with a smile, without any additional words.

Ethan Sterling found it somewhat irksome to watch and couldn’t help but avert his gaze.

The first time he saw his mother looking at Leon like that was when he was eighteen. He had secretly gone to Gallia to find her without telling his grandmother. Just after that, he suddenly felt like he no longer had a mother.

After Leon left, Rachel took a sip of water, her expression turning serious, "Let’s talk about it; what’s really going on with your daughter and Lana Shaw?"

"Lana Shaw’s daughter?" Ethan Sterling was momentarily unresponsive to the unfamiliar name.

Rachel immediately caught on, "Your mother-in-law’s name is Lana Shaw, and you didn’t even know that?

Ethan Sterling avoided her surprised gaze, answering in a somewhat dry voice, "Her mother passed away early."

In truth, he felt guilty. At that time, the thought of having to marry such a dim-witted plump woman was utterly repulsive unless business needs dictated, he might not even remember her dad’s name.

Rachel recalled those times, perhaps overwhelmed by today’s atmosphere, she unexpectedly felt a twinge of bitterness.

She had studied painting under the elder Mrs. Sterling with Lana Shaw, who was about the same age and once a very good friend. However, Lana was a child of the great mansion, well-off, while she, a rural girl, couldn’t even afford the tuition for Mrs. Sterling’s lessons. If it weren’t for her talent, she wouldn’t have been able to learn at the Sterling Family.

Therefore, when she later married Ethan Sterling’s father for money, the elder Mrs. Sterling always looked down on her.

Rachel stopped her thoughts, sighed, "I opposed your marriage back then not because I looked down on Ruby Sullivan, but because I didn’t like your grandma arranging marriages." After all, she was an old friend’s daughter, no matter what, she couldn’t bear to be harsh.

"You said you were always looking for her, did you find her?" she asked deliberately, probing.

Ethan Sterling thought she was just making conversation, "You could say that. If you’re tired, too, go rest. I... want to check out Grandma’s room." Although she didn’t bring back anything, he still wanted to take a look.

At his mention, Rachel did feel somewhat tired, stood up to stretch and said, "Although I don’t want to interfere in your marriage, I still want to express my stance, I don’t like Rhonda Sullivan."

Ethan Sterling softly nodded, watching her distant back, he couldn’t help but call out, "Mom."

"Hmm?" Rachel turned around.

"I don’t like her either."

Rachel smiled, refreshingly like a maiden.

Though she married Mr. Sterling for money, she still loved him when he died. Rachel always felt she should be the kind of woman as free-spirited as Margaret, still finding a young man in her twenties to continue love in her eighties until she settled in Gallia and realized every one of her paintings contained longing.

Her eldest son, with a personality somewhat like hers, was so emotionally dense.

Why would he search for a woman who dumped him out of unwillingness? Clearly, he hadn’t seen through his own heart.

When Rachel saw Leon climbing the stairs, she came out of the room and greeted her, "Grandma."

Rachel looked down at this mini-version of Seth Sterling, thinking it incredible—could it be a child grows like whoever raises them?

She slightly frowned, "Don’t call me Grandma; you’ll call out wrinkles, call me Vivian."

"Vivian, is Dad feeling better?" Seth Sterling obediently changed his address.

Rachel squatted down, meticulously studying his little face, smiling, "He grew up by Grandma’s side; he should be sad for a while. Are you worried about him?"

Seth Sterling nodded.

"He went to Grandma’s room; you can check on him."

"Okay." Seth Sterling walked a few steps, then turned back to look at her, "Thank you, Vivian."

Rachel watched Seth Sterling’s back, unable to help but wonder why the elder Mrs. Sterling, such a partial person, left all her shares to this great-grandson without any blood relation?

Seth Sterling walked slowly to the old room outside. After hesitating for a moment, he knocked on the door, "Dad."

"Come in."

Seth Sterling entered, finding his dad’s eyes somewhat red, then recalled Grandma’s words, so he sat beside him, his small hands clasped in front, he lowered his gaze to his toes, pondering momentarily before suddenly raising a hand to lightly pat his father’s back.

He dared not to look at his father, his cheeks warm, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Ethan Sterling was a bit surprised, "Are you... comforting me?"

Seth Sterling still looked at his toes, nodding heavily, "Auntie Wenny said you’d be very sad without family, so I should keep you company more." He didn’t really know how to accompany his father, but when he lived with the Sullivans, whenever Wenny gently patted his back, he felt very comforted; thus, he wanted to pat his father’s back to comfort him.

Ethan Sterling watched his son’s mock-mature demeanor, amused yet gratified, playfully nudging his thigh against Seth’s, "Thank you."

A faint, irrepressible rise perked the corners of Seth’s mouth; after pausing, he softly whispered, "Between father and son, no need to be so formal."

Ethan Sterling laughed.

Thinking that if it weren’t for Grandma’s persuasion, he might not have such an obedient and understanding son, he inwardly thanked her.

He raised his hand and wrapped an arm around Seth’s shoulder, gently squeezing, feeling slightly more balanced inside.

He wondered if it was because he suffered too much as a child, but he remembered very early on. Until he was in his teens, he would dream of doctors telling him to curl up for a spinal tap and then wake up in fright.

Launching Mercy Hospital and establishing the Hemophilia Foundation for Children were due to the deeply imprinted memories of those years.

He didn’t want kids because he feared they’d endure the same pain as him, yet...

"Dad?" Seth Sterling saw him zoning out and gently called out.

Ethan Sterling snapped back to reality, stood up, and tilted his head to look at him, "I want to go over to Honey’s house for a meal; what about you?"

Seth continuously nodded, saying, "I’d love to have Auntie Wenny’s braised eggplant again."