Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

Judith Pierce said, ”Walker, your father is here.”

Walker Grant lowered his head, his bangs falling naturally. He wore a black overcoat, his shoulders broad and his back straight. The coat’s clean, flowing lines made his figure appear even taller and more slender.

He tilted his head slightly, looked toward where Arthur Grant was sitting, and called out, ”Dad.”

Arthur Grant’s tone was exceptionally cold. ”What are you two doing here?”

Judith Pierce said, ”Julian was my son, and Walker’s older brother. Why shouldn’t we be here?”

Arthur Grant’s voice grew even colder. ”Your presence will only disturb his rest.”

Judith Pierce’s eyes reddened with anger. She gritted her teeth and said, ”Arthur Grant, you miss Julian so much, but have you even gone to see Noah in all the days you’ve been back? He’s Julian’s only child! Do you have any idea how he’s doing right now?”

Arthur Grant picked up the liquor bottle and took a swig. The harsh, burning taste made him shut his eyes. It was as if the alcohol had numbed his nerves. After a long moment, he finally spoke. ”I want to spend some time with my son first.”

As the words fell, a light breeze drifted past. The chill that spread through the air only made the moment feel more heartbreaking and sorrowful.

Judith Pierce’s eyes grew red. ”But Walker is your son, too...”

”Mom, don’t say any more,” Walker Grant stopped her. He took a step forward and knelt directly in front of the gravestone.

He kept his head bowed, his hands resting on his knees. His voice was low, hoarse, and strained. ”Brother, I failed you.”

Tears instantly streamed down Judith Pierce’s face. She turned away, desperately trying to stifle her sobs.

Arthur Grant glanced at him, the coldness in his eyes wavering for an instant before quickly returning to a placid calm.

The wind in the cemetery was so cold it chilled you to the bone.

「It was evening by the time they returned to Jardinelle.」

The sky was still overcast, but the rain held off.

Arthur Grant didn’t come inside. He just frowned and said, ”Bring Noah out. I’m taking him back to the family estate to live with me.”

But Judith Pierce countered, ”Noah likes it here.”

Arthur Grant was clearly displeased. ”What’s wrong with the family estate?”

Judith Pierce frowned at him. ”Nothing’s wrong with it. Noah just likes living here.”

She paused, her tone complicated. ”You reek of alcohol. You should go home and take a shower. Don’t frighten Noah.”

Arthur Grant, unhappy, scoffed coldly and turned to leave.

”Grandma, Uncle Walker!”

Noah called out cheerfully when he saw them return.

Judith Pierce gave him a gentle smile and asked, ”What did you do today, Noah?”

Noah started counting on his little fingers. ”I had painting and piano lessons. I like painting, but I don’t like piano. I did my homework, and the teacher said I did a really good job...”

When he finished, he looked at Walker Grant. ”Uncle Walker, was I good today?”

”Yes, you were great.”

Walker Grant didn’t hold back his praise. ”If you don’t like piano, then you don’t have to learn it anymore.”

Noah was delighted, but then he said, ”But you told me I have to learn. You said it’s okay not to like it, but I still have to know how.”

”It’s okay,” Walker Grant’s voice grew a bit hoarser. ”If you don’t like it, don’t learn it. You don’t have to know how. Just do the things you’re interested in.”

”That’s great!”

Noah was clearly even happier now.

On the sofa, Fiona Linton leaned close to Chloe Reed’s ear and whispered, ”What’s gotten into him? He looks like his soul has been sucked out of him.”