Unlike how it went in Ella’s previous life, Violet saw Esther’s true colors in time and she did not become Esther’s stunt double in this life.
But the course of her life was still completely altered.
She was leaving her studies, the city, and starting a job..
What if... What if everything spirals out of my control?
The moment the thought crossed Ella’s mind, she dismissed it. I have changed things for myself and I will never stop trying. As long as I don’t repeat the mistakes from my previous life...
Violet spoke up at this moment, "In half a month, you will have your graduation ceremony. It’s a pity I won’t be here so let me congratulate you in advance..."
"Yes, the graduation ceremony usually takes place in the first week of September. And today, it is August 17 already..."
Ella walked past the mansion gates, a solemn look on her face. How could she forget something so important?!
"It’s 17th August today... Then in three days, isn’t it..."
"Ella, you are back?"
The voice halted Ella in her tracks.
From where Ella stood, she could see her father walking towards her.
His face was slightly sweaty and exhausted. A tired smile on his now old face, "I almost started doubting if you’d be back or not..."
"You... waited the entire day?"
Mr. Yu’s cold face cracked as he nodded, "What happened the last time..."
"I don’t want to talk about it," Ella composed herself and looked at the man expressionless, "Please leave..."
A sleek black car halted a few steps away from them.
Ji Yan opened the car door and Adrian stepped out of the car.
Adrian’s gaze briefly lingered on Ella before he turned to Mr. Yu, whom he acknowledged with a brief nod.
Ji Yan immediately took the cue and stepped forward, "Mr. Yu, please..." He pointed a hand towards the Eve Mansion.
Mr. Yu’s eyes widened. He finally snapped out of his shock and bowed deeply, "M-Mr. King..."
The servants respectfully led Mr. Yu to the living room and laid out a spread of snacks and juice on the coffee table, tending to his needs.
"Ella... Ella..." Mr. Yu called out to the girl.
But Ella’s footsteps did not falter as she ascended the stairs and headed straight to the Master Bedroom.
Ella pushed open the door and stepped inside, just in time as Adrian had removed his suit jacket.
Adrian’s movements paused. He turned around and lifted his head to look at her.
"Why did you ask him inside?" Ella frowned, "I did not ask you to decide for me. I..."
Adrian loosened his necktie and strode towards her, covering the distance between them in a few steps.
Ella’s eyes widened and she took a step back.
Adrian’s eyes darkened. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him, "I don’t allow you to do this."
Ella pulled her hand back.
But he clutched it even more firmly, yanking her towards him, "Stop ignoring me."
Ella broke eye contact between them.
For a moment, the master bedroom sunk in silence.
Both the people could hear each other’s breathing yet none of them said anything until—
"You know what happened last time in the Yu Mansion. After that, I don’t want to see any of them."
"Is that true?" Adrian pinched her chin and tilted her face towards him, "You didn’t feel bad for him?"
Ella looked into his eyes. For a moment, her thoughts stilled.
Is that true? Did she really make a clean break with her family?
Ella wanted to pretend that she did but...
She suddenly realized something. Adrian must have known that Mr. Yu was in the Eve Mansion but he did not order anybody to let him in.
Yet, the moment Ella met Mr. Yu and felt terrible knowing that he had waited for her outside the mansion for the entire day, Mr. Yu got to enter the house...
"I don’t want you to regret it," Adrian said, his voice resolute.
Ella lowered her head, "What if..."
"It doesn’t matter," Adrian raised his hand and tucked her hair behind her ear, "At the end of the day, you will always have me."
’At the end of the day, you will always have me.’
’At the end of the day, you will always have me.’
’At the end of the day, you will always have me.’
Ella descended the stairs in a daze.
Ella snapped out of her reverie and glanced at Mr. Yu who stood up from the couch.
Inhaling a deep breath, she walked towards him, "What brings you here?" Her voice was polite.
Mr. Yu’s face was downcast as his gaze traced her short hair, "We miss you... I and your mother miss you a lot..."
Ella looked at the man, stunned. The back of her eyes seemed to burn as she gazed at him.
"There is a lot that I want to say but this might not be the right time... I and your mother owe you an apology..."
Ella felt like she had dropped all her expectations yet the moment her father uttered those words, she felt tears welling up in her eyes...
She looked to the other side, blinking rapidly.
Mr. Yu sighed and continued speaking in a gentle voice, "Lately, we have been renovating the Yu Mansion. In three days, the mansion would be as good as new. We want you to be there..."
"Why should I be there...?!" Ella’s gaze snapped to him, her voice cold, "After the way you treated me the last time, why should I go there?"
Ella flinched, a drop of tear rolling down her eye. She stood up, "Please leave... And take care of yourself."
Mr. Yu stood up, "Ella, we might have wronged you in our anger. Yet, we gave birth to you. We love you and cherish you just as much. Your mother and I will be waiting for you to come home..."