Chapter 301

Evelyn Carter stood at the front door, her fingertips trembling slightly.

The sound of the lock turning alerted Grace Anderson inside. She hurried to open the door. "You're back! Come in, I'll heat up dinner for you."

The faint scent of cooking oil drifted from the kitchen.

Six small bowls were neatly lined up by the stove, each dish carefully wrapped in plastic film.

"Mom, so much food..."

Grace deftly removed the plastic. "Your favorite braised ribs, and Emily's sweet and sour fish. The soup was just made this afternoon—best served hot."

The range hood hummed softly.

Her mother's figure flickered in the haze of cooking fumes, the silver strands at her temples stark under the light.

"Mom."

"Hmm?" Grace kept her eyes on the sizzling pan. "Did you wash your hands? Dinner's almost ready."

Evelyn didn't move.

Grace finally noticed something was off and turned to look. "What's wrong? Work too exhausting?"

From the living room, Andrew Anderson called out, "Evelyn's home? Come help me with this."

She stepped into the bedroom.

Her father sat by the desk lamp, flipping through bankbooks with his reading glasses on.

"Dad."

He motioned for her to sit. "Perfect timing. Help me calculate if this is enough."

The edges of the bankbooks were slightly curled.

"This is..."

"You're leaving for England next month," he said in a hushed tone. "I've been saving up secretly. Don't tell your mom."

Her nose stung.

"Everything's expensive there. Heard a bowl of noodles costs dozens of pounds. A young woman shouldn't skimp on necessities."

"Dad, the hospital will cover room and board."

He shook his head stubbornly. "You still need pocket money. New clothes, dinners with colleagues—can't let them think our girls are stingy."

The lamplight cast a warm glow on his hands.

Calloused yet gentle, they smoothed the creased corners of the bankbooks.

"Dad, I might... stay there to work."

He paused briefly, then smiled. "Even better. But if you get homesick, come back anytime. Your room will always be here."

"What about Emily's tuition..."

"Don't worry about that." He patted her hand. "Just spread your wings. Your mom and I have everything handled."

Evelyn suddenly hugged him.

Andrew patted her back gently. "Silly child. A parent's love is instinctive. Have you ever seen a tree that doesn't cherish its fruit?"

The clinking of dishes sounded from the kitchen.

Grace called out, "Evelyn, dinner's ready—"

At that moment, something burned fiercely in Evelyn's chest.