After she hung up, Charlotte looked out of the car window. A bright moon illuminated the pitch-black sky like a beacon of hope.
Suddenly, she felt her heart surge with assurance. Whatever the future holds, I’ll be brave and face it.
It was late when she finally reached home.
Mrs. Berry had been up waiting for Charlotte in the living room. As she heard the sound of the car, she hurriedly walked out and greeted Charlotte at the door. “You’re back, Miss. I’ve made some stew!”
“Mrs. Berry, why are you still up?” Charlotte greeted her in return as she unloaded the things from the car.
Mrs. Berry quickly put on her coat and walked out to help her. “I was worried! You took a while, and I thought something happened.”
“Silly Mrs. Berry, what’s there to worry about?” Charlotte smiled and fussed over her collar.
“You went to see the Whites, of all people. How would I not be worried?” Mrs. Berry frowned, her expression solemn. “Amanda is a vicious person, so I was afraid that she was going to hurt you.”
“I had bodyguards with me.” Charlotte then sighed and looked Mrs. Berry in the eye. “A lot of things have happened.”
“Ah, like what?”
“Let’s go to your room. I’ll explain everything.”
Charlotte braced herself for another tiring conversation.
“Here, have some stew and some snacks.” Mrs. Berry then brought Charlotte to her room, food and all. “Please eat something. I’ll listen to you when you’re done.”
“I don’t really have the appetite.” Charlotte reached over to her side and gave Mrs. Berry the deed to the property. “In the meantime, will you hold onto this for me? For safekeeping, that is.”
“This is…” Mrs. Berry trailed off, and her eyes widened in shock. “The deed to the old house? Who gave it to you?”
“Amanda and Simon.”
Charlotte told Mrs. Berry all that happened during this period.
Mrs. Berry gave Charlotte her full attention and only interjected out of shock and concern from time to time.
“Gosh, that’s terrible!”
“Lord, have mercy.”
“That poor child!”
After Charlotte finished, Mrs. Berry let out a deep sigh. “I suppose this is a form of retribution, but it’s still a real shame that the family ended up this way. It’s too cruel.”
“Yes,” said Charlotte as she echoed Mrs. Berry’s sighs. “I don’t exactly feel good about this either.
“It goes without saying. People should refrain from evil deeds.” Mrs. Berry paused and shook her head. “But then again, how on earth does someone as kind as Mr. Brown have a cousin as terrible as her? This is unfair, isn’t it?”
“Michael and Helena are individuals, so I think comparing them is unfair in the first place. Mrs. Berry, the deed should stay with you for now, in case anything happens.”
“Understood.” Mrs. Berry carefully took the deed from Charlotte. “Well, finish the stew at least, Miss. Mr. Nacht is waiting for you.”
“I still have something to ask you.” Charlotte took Mrs. Berry’s hand and looked at her solemnly. “What do you know about my mother?”
“Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?”
Mrs. Berry suddenly looked disturbed at the question.
Charlotte frowned. “I received word that my father’s murderer and my mother’s enemy are the same person, so I want to know more about her.”
“It’s all in the past, why bring it up now?” asked Mrs. Berry earnestly. “Mr. Nacht is there for you! He’s good to you and your children. With your marriage, everything will be alright. You should live your life and stop struggling with the past. Look forward to the future.”
“Alright.” Charlotte noticed that Mrs. Berry was reluctant to speak and chose to not question her any further. “I’ll retire for the evening. You should have the stew instead, Mrs. Berry. I fear my appetite is still non-existent.”
“Sleep well, Miss.”
Charlotte went upstairs and entered her room. She barely managed one step inside when she was swept into a powerful embrace. Charlotte smirked. “My, my. I think you’ve spent so much time with the kids you’re now a kid yourself.”
