Chapter 77
You can start making arrangements tomorrow. I’ll wait for your call. Don’t worry, as long as I can get back to work. I’ll make sure to take care of everything you need,” Dexter said with a smile.
I couldn’t understand it, thinking, “How can he smile when his son is so sick?”
It wasn’t until I left that I realized something–there were people in the world who only saw and thought about themselves. Juno was nothing more than a pawn in Dexter’s game. To him, “flesh and blood” meant nothing.
For someone like Dexter, I’d learned to swallow my feelings. I thought, ‘What’s the point in fighting? The most important thing now is getting Juno treated. Everything else with Dexter can wait.
I went to the court and withdrew my divorce petition, then I called an elder from my family. Arthur Knight, whom I’d known since childhood, was a close family friend who fought alongside my father Eric Moreno. He’d seen both me and Clara grow up.
Dexter’s current job was largely due to Arthur’s support, and now, once again, I was asking for his help. I arrived at his house with a gift in hand.
Though Arthur was getting up in years, his spirits were still high. When he saw me, he was thrilled and immediately began serving coffee and snacks. He even asked Hattie Knight, his wife, to prepare a bowl of yogurt for me.
“I remember you used to love this when you were little,” Arthur said.
“I can’t believe you still remember, Arthur,” I said, smiling shyly.
“Of course I remember! You and Clara–one of you loved yogurt, the other loved milk. Lucky for you, both are Hanie’s specialties. Every time you two came over, you’d finish a lot!” Arthur said with a nostalgic smile, and for a moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion.
After the pleasantries, I finally got to the point.
But as soon as I opened my mouth, Arthur interrupted me. “If you’re here because of that Dexter, I’m not going to help. I be old, but I’m not blind. I’ve heard about everything that happened before. How could you still be with someone like
may
him?
“Your father always doted on you two. If he were still here and saw you swallowing your pride like this, he’d be heartbroken!”
I felt my eyes sting and my throat tighten. I had been a terrible daughter. For the sake of that so–called love, I’d abandoned my parents and gotten my marriage license with Dexter.
Eric had been furious, and his old illness had worsened. If it hadn’t been for that… I wouldn’t have lost him so soon.
Just as the tears threatened to overflow, the doorbell rang
Hattie smiled and went to open the door. “That must be Jeremy coming”
I quickly wiped my eyes and steadied myself.
The door opened, and in walked someone I knew well–Jeremy.
Jeremy was holding several bags of fruit and gifts. “Old man, my dad sent these. Where should I put them?”
“Who are you calling old man?” Arthur teased, putting on a stern face. “Call me properly!”
14:46 Mon, 17 Feb 08
Chapter 77
But I could see the smile in his eyes.
“Alright, Arthur, these are for you,” Jeremy said, handing over the bags.
“Come in,” Hattic said, leading him into the house,
