Chapter 637 A New House For Mary
Everyone could see how reluctant Mary and Tim were to part with the house.
Regardless of how shabby it was, it was their home.
Mary walked around the other rooms as well, and she would reach out to straighten anything that seemed to have fallen out of its place. Tim kept close by her the entire time.
Arissa and the rest helped tidied up the spots that were too messy.
At the end of it all, Mary stood in the courtyard and let her eyes drift across the place—the last look at her home.
When Benjamin noticed their eyes reddening, he said, “Grandaunt, you can always come back here for a visit whenever you miss it. Once you’re feeling better, you can come back here to stay for a period of time every year.”
Touched by his words, Mary whispered, “Okay.”
When Kingsley and Shaun took in their surroundings, as well as Mary and Tim’s reluctance to leave, a bitter smile emerged on their lips.
Anyone would feel nostalgia and the reluctance to part with places they lived in.
It was especially so for those who rarely left home; they would feel a stronger yearning for their homes.
Arissa then used her phone to take a few photos of the place and saved them in the gallery. If Mary and Tim missed their home, they would then be able to see it with the photos.
“Tim, ask Mr. Seth to come here,” Mary said to Tim.
“Okay!”
Arissa then watched as Tim ran out of the house.
No one knew what Mary was about to do.
“Give me another moment. I need to tell my family about our departure,” Mary explained to them.
Arissa nodded and brought the kettle over. “Grandaunt, have some water.”
“Thank you.”
As Mary looked around her house, she sighed and commented, “I wonder when I’ll be back again. Someone has got to clean up the place and pay respect to James.”
Hearing her words made a wave of sorrow wash over Arissa. She knew that traditions like those were important to those who grew up in the village.
That was a sign of respect to the deceased.
“Grandaunt, we can come back for a visit during the holidays,” Arissa said to Mary. It was impossible to return every month, but it was not difficult to return during the holidays.
“Okay.”
Mary nodded.
Benjamin then turned to Ethen and instructed, “We’ll build a house here.”
Benjamin had a deep crease on his forehead since the moment he took in the barely-livable conditions.
Ethen glanced at his employer. “Mr. Graham, it’s best if we tell Mdm. Mary about it.”
Benjamin’s frown deepened in confusion.
“She might not like it if things change,” Ethen reminded.
At that, Benjamin pursed his lips before telling Mary about the matter.
“Grandaunt, I’m thinking of demolishing this old house to build a new one.”
After all, the house looked like it was going to collapse the moment they left.
If Mary and Tim were to return to find nothing but ruins, they would be even more upset.
“What? Oh, you don’t have to. That will cost a lot. There’s no need for you to do that!”
There was no way Mary would accept that without hesitation.
Constructing a house would cost at least tens of thousands.
The better ones would be hundreds of thousands.
Mary knew the cost estimation of the construction work, so she did not dare to even imagine getting a new house.
“Grandaunt, we have to build a new house. You and Tim aren’t living here anymore, so the place will degrade even quicker. It might have collapsed by the time we come back. That’s dangerous!” Arissa tried to convince the elderly woman otherwise. “It’s just a kind act from him. Please accept it. Once the house is constructed, it’ll be even more convenient for us to take care of you.”
Mary felt too shy to accept it. She did not know how much the treatment for her illness was, and they even wanted to build a new house for her.
“Grandaunt, this guy is rich, and it’s not a lot to build a new house. There’s no point in him keeping all the money he earned without spending it. It’s just a new house. Once it is built, we can come back here with you for a short holiday. I haven’t taken a look at the lake you were talking about too!” Kingsley chimed in to try to persuade Mary.
Mary smiled. “Just because he’s rich doesn’t mean he should be wasting his money.”
“He’s not wasting his money. Who wouldn’t want to have a better place to stay and better food to eat once they get more money? Moreover, who wouldn’t want the kids to have a better education? Why else would we work so hard for?” Kingsley continued, his words rational and compelling.
Shaun then teased, “Why didn’t I know you’re such a deep thinker?”
Arissa chuckled.
