Chapter 1131:
âSeventy-five,â Leyla replied.
The awkward conversation promptly ended as Eileen and the others entered the house.
Ruby rose from the sofa, eager to greet Gabriela. She exclaimed, âGood girl, come let me take a look at you!â
Gabriela happily greeted Ruby and Leyla. She wriggled free from Eileenâs embrace, only to be swept up and carried by Ruby. Ruby and Leyla engaged in playtime with Gabriela, their faces alight with joy.
Watching them, Eileen couldnât help but chuckle at their earlier exchange about their ages.
In the evening, at the Dry Club in Onaland, it had been a long time since Eileen last visited. The mix of familiarity and strangeness made her feel nostalgic and slightly disoriented. She followed the waiter to the private room, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting in the corridor.
Inside, she found Phoebe and Jacob, along with Julio and Benjamin already gathered.
The get-together was Jacobâs idea. After he and Phoebe got married, their social circle changed, and many of their old friends had drifted apart. Jacob had invited those with whom he still had a strong connection.
âEileen! You heartless woman! Youâve abandoned us for Alverton for so long. Were you planning to settle down there for good?â Phoebe sprang up from her seat and enveloped Eileen in a tight embrace, her arms wrapped around Eileenâs neck, nearly cutting off her air supply.
âBack off, arenât you? Please⦠Let go of me! Iâm suffocating!â Eileen gasped.
Má´Êá´ á´á´á´ á´á´á´s ɪɴ É¢á´ÊÉ´á´á´ á´Ês.á´á´á´ Phoebe finally released her grip. As Eileen looked at Phoebe, she saw tears glistening in her eyes.
âHaving a reunion! Why the tears on such a joyful day?â Eileenâs heart warmed as she looked at Phoebe.
Phoebeâs experiences with postpartum depression had left her more emotionally sensitive. During their time in Alverton, Eileen and Bryan had often heard Jacob lament about Phoebeâs mood swings. If he didnât tread carefully, Phoebe could burst into tears at the slightest provocation.
Jacob was attentive and considerate of Phoebeâs feelings now. âI know what happened to you in Alverton,â Phoebe said. Phoebe had been feeling sorry for Eileen since she had heard the story of Eileenâs parents.
Eileen offered a gentle smile and said, âItâs all in the past. No need to be sad. We have to focus on the future.â
She guided Phoebe to sit down and skillfully shifted the conversation with a few lighthearted words. Phoebe remarked, âMarried men are all the sameâno good at all!â
Phoebeâs eyes wandered to Bryan, who was laughing and chatting with the others, a cigarette between his fingers. But when Bryan and the others heard Phoebeâs words, their conversation abruptly ceased, and they turned their eyes to Phoebe and Eileen.
âYou canât generalize like that. Maybe the person you met just wasnât a good one,â Eileen immediately said.
Phoebe snorted in response, âWhat good person is Bryan? I heard from Jacob that when Bryan was in collegeââ
Before Phoebe could finish her words, Jacob swooped in, his hand covering her mouth to silence her.
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