Chapter 476 Gave In
The butler took one glance at me before leaving in a hurry. I kept my head down and said nothing. It would be a lie to claim that I did not feel anything at all. No matter what, they were my parents. I supposed they had come to look for me because of Steven.
After the meal, I went straight back to my room. Because of what had happened earlier on, I felt awful. However, I was pretty sure that I would not help them this time around and hoped that they would not force me to do so.
It had been a while since I returned. I did not take the initiative to contact them because when they wanted me to be the scapegoat for Steven back then, it had already broken my heart. From then on, I was utterly disappointed with them.
I knew very well that I meant nothing to my parents. Other than Steven, my well-being was of no relevance to them.
I was playing with Amaury in the bedroom when Michael walked in. He sat down beside me and looked at me with anguish.
“They’re still here. I know you’re very upset, but please don’t forget how they have treated you in the past.”
Michael spoke gently to me, but I could tell that he was trying to remind me not to give in to them again. My softheartedness toward my family had always been an issue of contempt for Michael.
In the past, he had advised me umpteen times, but I had always refused to listen. Now that things had blown out of proportion, I had to put my foot down. If I did not, Michael and even I would despise myself.
If I gave in again, I would be asking for it. I always ended up driving myself into a corner for people who did not care about me.
“I understand. I told you very clearly the last time that I won’t give in no matter what they say this time around. That was the last.”
Avoiding Michael’s eyes, I pretended to be unaffected.
“Whatever happens, I’ll always be by your side,” said Michael gently, and he pulled me into his arms.
I gave him a faint smile and a nonchalant look, but deep down, I felt terrible knowing that my own flesh and blood were standing outside the door.
Time trickled away. As Michael needed to attend to some work at the company, he left. I came to the window and saw my parents still standing out there. They kept looking into the house.
In reality, the Shaw family could have invited them in for a proper discussion, but they did not. The thing that happened a year ago had caused a barrier between them. The fact that my parents made me take the blame on Steven’s behalf had made things even worse. The Shaw family was certainly not happy with my parents.
They had made a clear stand when they refused to let my parents into the house. It might appear rude on their part, but I knew they were trying to protect me. For that, I was very touched.
The sky gradually darkened. Yet, my parents still refused to leave. They had been standing out there since noon, and six hours had passed. Knowing that Steven was the apple of their eye, I doubted they would leave if they did not get to see me.
I kept stopping myself from going out to see them. Initially, I thought they would leave if they did not see me. It turned out that I had underestimated the importance of Steven in their hearts. For my brother, they were willing to do anything.
Michael was not back by dinnertime. He had to work overtime because the workload had been accumulating.
Michael was a workaholic, so it was not a surprise to me. In the past, he used to work overtime too when we were together.
I could not concentrate on my dinner knowing that my parents were still out there.
Just then, I heard thunder. Nowadays, the weather changed in an instant without any warning. I looked out of the window and saw that it was about to rain.
I walked toward the window and wanted to see if my parents were still out there after so many hours. They should have left by now. After all, most people would not be able to take it after missing two meals in a row.
Under the faint light, I saw that they were still standing outside the door. When I returned to the country, I had my phone number change and did not contact them. Therefore, there was no way they could locate me unless I showed myself in front of them.
I wished they would leave soon because I really did not wish to see them.
The rumbling of the thunder went on, and soon, it started to pour. Looking at the wild storm going on outside, I became more worried. On the other hand, the Shaw family did not seem to be affected at all.
Just then, Josephine took one look at me and said, “Anna, come and eat your dinner. The food is getting cold.”
I knew she was trying to distract me, and I was also aware that I had to be firm this time around. If I gave in, my parents would definitely demand unreasonable things.
“All right.”
As I made my way to the dining table, I took another glance at my parents. That was when I knew they had no intention of leaving.
They were my parents after all. Knowing that my dad was unwell and they were standing in the rain despite their age, I was unable to have my dinner in peace. I admitted that I could not hold myself together. My heart softened.
I rushed to the door, picked up an umbrella, and ran out.
“Anna!”
I heard Josephine calling my name. I knew she wanted to stop me, but nobody would be able to sit around and do nothing if they saw their parents getting drenched. I knew I was an indecisive person, and I hated myself for it. However, there was no way I could be heartless toward my parents. Perhaps, I would always be so soft-hearted for the rest of my life.
I opened up the umbrella and hurried toward my parents.
When I got to them, they were thrilled to see me.
“Anna, I knew you are in there. You have finally come out.”
