Chapter 1

The early spring rain pitter-pattered amidst the cold air. It was around four in the afternoon, but the skies were already quite dark. The rain added a layer of fog in the air, making everything seem like it was from a watercolor painting. Naomi Goodwin walked out of the kindergarten teacher's office. She stood under the awning, looking at the rain. Then, she opened her umbrella and stepped into the rain, her beige loafers clicking behind her. It was the Lawsons' family dinner that day. The Lawsons had strict family rules. The matriarch, Edith Lawson, loved her children very much. That was why after her husband, Theodore, passed away, she established a new rule. No matter how busy her children were, they were to return home to the Lawson Mansion at least once a month to have dinner together. When Naomi married into the Lawsons, the rule had already implemented for 50 years. Naomi knew that it would rain that day, but she did not think that it would continue throughout the entire day. She got into the car and started the engine, before looking at the time. It was a quarter before five. She recalled the message she sent to Jay that morning, asking when Scott was returning. Jay told her that his flight remained unchanged. Scott would arrive at the airport at three forty in the afternoon. Logically speaking, they should have arrived already. Thinking about that, Naomi drove and left the parking lot. The Lawson Mansion was in Willowstown, not far from where Scott and Naomi lived, about an hour's drive. Naomi did not head straight to the Lawson Mansion. Instead, she headed home first. She was going to wait for Scott, and then head to Lawson Mansion together. The Brook Mansions was a famous wealthy and affluent neighborhood in Willowstown. Naomi and Scott lived there ever since they got married. The chatter of drizzle and the cool breeze announced the arrival of spring. Naomi drove into the mansion and parked right behind the black Rolls-Royce. He was back. She killed the engine, took her bag, opened the umbrella, and walked into this place that she called home for the past three years. "Alright. That's it for now." The living room was surrounded by four large window walls. The white drapes swayed gently against it. He stood straight in the dim living room. He was in a dark-colored shirt, his jacket hanging over his arm, and a pair of custom-made pants, showing off his long, slender legs. Naomi overheard him on the phone talking. She stopped by the door, placed her umbrella aside, and walked over to him. The lights in the living room were not switched on, which made him seem less domineering. His gaze was less distant and aloof too. "You're back." Naomi saw him putting the phone down. She went up to him and took his jacket from him. "Hmm." He seemed to still be working, scrolling on his phone. His gaze was emotionless, as usual. "Go upstairs and wash up. I've already laid out the clothes for you. Once you've washed up, we'll head to Lawson Mansion together." She knew that he was returning that day, so she long prepared his clothes for him. This was something she did often for the past three years, something she knew how to do very well already. Scott said nothing. After a short while, he put his phone down and headed upstairs. There was no need to prepare any gifts, after all, it was just a family dinner. Not a special occasion. It would be weird to prepare a gift. However, Naomi still made her niece's favorite pastry. This was something she would do beforehand every time she went to Lawson Mansion. As the rain got heavier, Naomi and Scott got in the car and headed to Lawson Mansion. The Lawson Mansion was located on the southern side of Willowstown in the countryside. It was far from the bustling city and close to nature – the perfect place to live out one's golden years. As the car drove into the courtyard, Naomi could hear Maya giggling happily. The skies were already dark at that moment. The lights in Lawson Mansion glimmered cozily in the rain. The laughter and chatter of the Lawsons thawed some of the coldness in the air too. Naomi got out of the car with a lunchbox in her hand, together with Scott. Maya soon came running toward them. She happily greeted them, "Hello, Uncle Scott, Aunt Naomi!" Naomi smiled tenderly. She placed her hand on Maya's head and passed the lunchbox to her. "Take a look." Maya's eyes sparkled. She quickly opened the box. "Wow! It's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!" Maya loved fairy tales the best, so Naomi made one of the characters for her. Naomi's skills were as great as any professional confectionery chef. "Do you like it?" "I do! Very much! Thank you, Aunt Naomi!" "You're welcome." Everyone arrived. Naomi and Scott were the latest to arrive. Everyone was used to that. When they saw the two of them, everyone came out to greet them, before getting them to wash their hands and prepare for dinner. Scott and Naomi greeted everyone with an apology before taking their seats. Scott's grandfather, Theodore, passed away at the age of 40, leaving Edith and their four children behind. Edith took on the role of the breadwinner, raising her four children all by herself. Her youngest passed away at the age of five, three years after Theodore's death, partially because they could not pay his medical bills due to the sky-high debt they incurred when trying to treat Theodore. Her husband's passing, leaving her to care for her children alone, was already a huge blow. What's more, the passing of her youngest child. Any woman would have given up by then. Instead, Edith brushed herself off and stood up once more, raising her three children on her own all these years. The eldest of her children was Edward, Scott's father. He had two daughters and a son. Scott was the youngest. Chester was her second son. He had a son and a daughter. Her youngest was Margaret, Scott's aunt. She had a daughter studying abroad. Edith never asked that her grandchildren return for the monthly family dinner. After all, some were still studying abroad. However, she asked that her children be there. That night, as usual, no one was absent. Everyone sat around the dining table eating in silence. They only started chatting at the end of the dinner. Naomi played with Maya. Maya liked her a lot and so did she. Maya was the only one who was kindest to her throughout her three years of marriage to the Lawsons. "Maya, Uncle Scott's playing chess right now! Have a look and tell me about it!" Irene bent down and said to Maya, who was in Naomi's arms, with a benevolent smile. "Chess? Uncle Scott's playing chess?" "Yes, didn't you say you wanted him to teach you?" "Ah! I want to see them play chess! Uncle Scott's the best at chess!" Maya quickly got out of Naomi's arms and ran off. Naomi stood up and looked at Irene, whose smile was fading, and greeted, "Hello, Mom."