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After an hour–long ride on the high–speed train, Dawn arrived home and took a bath, not realizing that Jessica had already called Austin.
As Dawn made her way down the stairs, Jessica greeted her with a friendly wave.
“Dawn, why didn’t you bring Austin back with you?”
Dawn smiled back and said, “Uncle Austin’s job keeps him tied up. He’lle visit when he gets some free time.”
Austin was much older than his brother, Harry. Growing up, he had been a bit of a troublemaker, often causing the family stress and concern.
Jessica’s eyes gleamed for a moment, and she tilted her head slightly. “Did you and Austin have a fight?”
Dawn froze, wondering if it was that obvious.
Jessica let out a small sigh. “In the past, if I said something bad about him, you’d have worse things to say. I’ve never seen you standing up for him like this.”
Dawn understood the personalities of every member of the Osborne family and knew how to speak in a way that would ease the tension. It was clear something had shifted today, and Jessica’s formal tone wasn’t helping matters.
With a resigned smile, Dawn responded, “But you said I should show Uncle Austin respect and treat him with good manners.”
Jessica replied with a slight smirk, “I meant you should respect him in your heart. It wasn’t about what you say about him.”
Though her logic seemed questionable, Dawn didn’t want to argue further.
The bond between her and Austin had changed, and their rtionship from here on out would simply be that of uncle and niece.
“It’s such a nice day. How about we go outside and get some sunshine?”
Jessica gave her a scrutinizing look, sensing something was off. Something wasn’t quite right, and she decided to leave the difficult conversation for her daughter–inw.
Behind the Osborne family’s old house, Jessica and Sandra had nted a small vegetable
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garden in a vacant lot, growing everyday produce they often used in meals.
After finishing her work at thepany that morning, Sandra had little else to do. Following Jessica’s unspoken suggestion, she invited Dawn to help with watering the nts and pulling out the weeds.
Dawn sat on the edge of the garden, holding two hoses and spraying water from two different heights. She used a finger to block the nozzle partially, testing how far the water could spray.
Sandra, wearing gardening gloves, carefully removed the weeds while asionally casting Dawn a soft, affectionate nce. Sandra didn’t have a daughter of her own, and Austin’s decision to adopt Dawn had helped fill the emptiness she felt.
“Dawn,” Sandra called gently.
“Yes?”
“Did Austin upset you?”
Dawn rxed her finger, and the once forceful stream of water slowed, sshing at her feet and creating a small trench in the soil.
Sandra watched her, letting out a quiet sigh, before smiling warmly. “Jessica asked me tofort you, but I think you’re old enough to have your own feelings. If Austin really did something unforgivable, it’s okay if you don’t want to be close to him. But I hope you can talk to me. At least I can help you work through things.”
She paused for a moment before adding, “But if you don’t want to, that’s okay too.”
Dawn had grown up, and now had her own thoughts and feelings.
Dawn felt a sting in her eyes, even though nothing was really wrong. Sandra’s words struck her unexpectedly, filling her with emotion.
She didn’t know how to express the sense of unfairness she felt because, when she thought about it… even she could see that Austin hadn’t really done anything that awful.
He simply didn’t love her.
Sydney was to me for what she had done.
Dawn didn’t have the right to expect Austin’s love, and she had to ept that her feelings wouldn’t be returned.
“It’s nothing, Mom.”
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Dawn forced a smile. “I just feel like I’ve grown up. I can’t keep relying on Uncle Austin for everything… Eventually, he’ll have his own family.”
Sandra understood immediately.
She sighed quietly, both heartbroken and helpless.
Sandra wasn’t old–fashioned, but she understood that matters of the heart couldn’t be forced.
She took off her gloves and walked over, gently patting Dawn’s head. “You’ve really grown up. You’re kind and beautiful. I’m sure one day you’ll find someone who truly loves you. I’ll be waiting for that day.”
Dawn nodded sincerely. “Thanks, Mom.”
They continued talking, and the conversation made Sandra realize just how much Dawn had changed.
She no longer acted on impulse or spoke without thinking. Instead, she had grown calmer, more peaceful, as though life had taught her some hard lessons.
In some ways, it was for the best.
As evening came, Dawn was once again helping in the kitchen.
Seeing how much time Dawn had spent in the sun, Jessica urged her to rest. “You can’t cook, so get out of the way. Go y with your phone or something.”
Dawn smiled warmly, feeling affection, and reluctantly left the kitchen.
Just as she turned around, she noticed two familiar figures standing by the door.
Her smile faltered, and she stopped in her tracks.
Sandra had picked out two fruits to prepare. “Go and rest on the couch. Why are you standing here?”
Before she could say more, the door opened, and she paused when the two people entered. She smiled politely and said, “Oh, Austin, you brought a friend? Please, sit. Dawn, get them some water.”
Though her tone was courteous, it subtly ced Sydney in the role of an “outsider.”
Sydney’s smile stiffened for a moment, but she quickly brightened. “Sandra, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
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Sandra raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, only smiling as she turned to call Jessica from the kitchen. “Jessica, Austin is home.”
Austin nced at them, and when he saw Dawn, he grabbed a pair of shoes from the rack and handed them to Sydney.
His gaze met Dawn’s briefly, and he felt an unexpected tightness in his chest.
Dawn quickly looked away and headed to the kitchen to get some water.
Jessica, having just finished drying her hands, passed by and quietly asked, “Who did he bring back?”
Dawn replied tly, “His girlfriend.”
“I doubt his taste. She’s probably nothing good.”
Dawn was speechless, thinking that the wisdom of experience seemed to ring true.
Dawn thought about the Virgin Mary pendant still with Sydney. Her brows furrowed ever so slightly. <i>I </i><i>have </i><i>to </i><i>get </i><i>it </i><i>back </i><i>in </i><i>the </i><i>next </i><i>few </i><i>days</i>, <i>and </i><i>I </i><i>don’t </i><i>think </i>I <i>can </i><i>rely </i><i>on </i>Austin.
<i>Should </i><i>I </i><i>ask </i><i>Sydney </i><i>for </i><i>it </i><i>directly</i><i>? </i>
Lost in her thoughts, she ced the water on the coffee table and quietly stepped aside, listening to the idle small talk that followed.
Sydney was an expert at this, skillfullyplimenting everyone and introducing herself in the most ttering way.
Feeling bored, Dawn decided to go upstairs to chat with Ethan instead. He had just finished his work in Meriax and was getting ready to return to the country.
“Alright,” Dawn sighed, looking up. “I’ll stay a couple more days, send out my resume, and thene find you.”
“Why can’t I find you instead?” Ethan teased.
“Uh…”
<i>He </i><i>wants </i><i>to </i><ie </i><i>find </i><i>me</i><i>? </i>
Dawn bit her lip. “I don’t think that’s possible. I’m not in Trifton right now. I’m out in the suburbs of another city.”
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There was a brief silence before he asked, “The Osborne family’s estate?”
“Yeah.”
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He chuckled softly, his voice deep and maic. “Babe, did you forget? I lived there for years too. My family’s old house is there.”
Dawn was caught off guard by his affectionate term, but her attention quickly shifted <i>to </i>his next words,
That’s <i>right</i><i>, </i><i>the </i><i>Jacksons </i><i>and </i><i>the </i><i>Osbornes </i><i>have </i><i>been </i><i>neighbors </i><i>for </i><i>years</i>.
<i>Ethan </i><i>is </i><i>probably </i><i>nning </i>to <i>visit </i><i>and </i><i>take </i><i>a </i><i>look</i>.
Dawn considered it for a moment and then said, “Well,e on by. Just don’t say I made you go through all that trouble.”
Just as Austin opened the door, he overheard her words and asked, “Who are you inviting over?”