“We’ve met at a party previously.” I let out a silly grin.
“Feel free to come often when you have time. The Goldstein residence is huge, but it’s quiet. There are not many people around. Oh right, you learned to draw, right? I heard you have some accomplishments. I can provide funds to invite some famous artists, and we can organize a seminar as well as an art exhibition. What do you think? Remington Fowler, the most well-known young artist in Hawen, is now in the limelight. People call him the most gifted artist. I’ll invite him to support you.”
Mark cared about me a lot. He was like a loving father. However, I felt extremely awkward. Fleynia was renowned for its artists. Many world-famous artists were born there. I knew Remington had represented Hawen to carry out an art seminar in Fleynia recently. As for me, I was only relatively well known. I was not good enough to attend the seminar.
“Thank you, Mr. Goldstein, for your kind intentions. But I need to sharpen my skills a little more and I shouldn’t be too hasty in this matter.”
That night, Mark invited me to stay overnight at the Goldstein residence. I planned to reject his offer, but he was too hospitable. I noticed Mom’s expression as well. It was as if she did not want me to stay.
“Mom, Sharon wanted me to pass this document to you.” I passed the document Lyle gave me to Isabelle.
Isabelle took the document, skimmed through it, and noticed my missing signature. She gave it back to me and said, “Seems like she fulfilled what I requested. This is for you. Just add your signature to it and keep it properly. I don’t need this.”
“I don’t need this for now too.” I pushed the documents away and saw that she was rolling up her sleeves to apply lotion on her hands. Noticing the bruises on her arm, I frowned and asked, “What happened to your hand?”
When Isabelle realized she had accidentally revealed the injury on her wrist, she subtly put down her sleeve and said indifferently, “I accidentally scratched my hand on a tree trunk while enjoying the flowers yesterday. Eve, how about you move in with me?”
My heart skipped a beat, and I rejected the invitation immediately. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mom. It’s not appropriate for me to do so.”
Isabelle’s face darkened, and she said coldly, “Is it because you are reluctant to leave Julia’s son? There are millions of men in the world. Why must you be with him?”
“Mom, I’m not sure what happened last time, but it has been a tough journey for both Christopher and me to be together until today. Can we please leave the past behind?”
“No way!” Isabelle pounded the table with her hand. “Julia killed my brother, your Uncle Robert. How can you say that? You must be out of your mind.”
“But Mom, I—” I tried to explain, but I did not know where to start. It involved a life. Why did I only find out about it now? It’s too late for me to forget about Christopher.
“No buts. Nothing can change my mind. I can promise any unreasonable and stubborn requests of yours, except this. I won’t give in to this.” Isabelle sounded assertive. When she saw my gloomy expression, she suppressed her anger and said coldly, “I know you can’t accept this in the meantime. I will give you some time. Eve, if you still treat me as your mother, you need to cut all ties with Christopher.”
“Mom, why must you force me?” I covered my mouth with my hand to prevent myself from crying.
“I’m not forcing you. I’m only stating a fact.” Isabelle stood up expressionlessly. “I know it’s been a tough few years for you. But unless you no longer acknowledge me as your mother, you must stop keeping in touch with Christopher.”
I stood rooted to the ground. Our conversation fell through yet again.
Isabelle sighed deeply and turned around to get my bed ready for me. We had no more intention of speaking to each other. After tidying everything, she took out a box and passed it to me. Ignoring my dejected expression, she said in a low voice, “I thought this dress would look good on you when I saw it today, so I bought it for you. Give it a try and see if it’s suitable.”
