Chapter5: One Last Time at the Reed Residence
Savannah dismounted her customized motorcycle, her yoga pants clinging to her toned figure. The security guard’s eyes widened. Savannah tossed her loose hair and greeted him before. heading into the preschool. She’d already figured out Tommy’s classroom. She smiled at the teacher.
“Hello, I brought some wax bottle candies for Tommy. I heard they were very popular.”
The teacher eyed Savannah suspiciously. “You’re the one who told Tommy to bring the candies to school?”
Savannah
beamed. “Yes! My friend made. them
“You’re the one who almost choked my son!!”
with top–quality beeswax…
A roar erupted behind Savannah. Before she could turn, a sharp slap landed on her face. Stars exploded before her eyes.
“What the hell are you doing?!” Savannah yelled, wiping blood from her lip.
Go to hell, you malicious woman!!”
Savannah wasn’t a pushover. She lunged at the mothers, a chaotic brawl erupting. Evelyn arrived to pick up Lily from school and heard Lily’s detailed account of the fight. Savannah got beaten, and Tommy had tried to help, but Lily dragged him.
away. Savannah, bruised and battered, took Tommy home early. Those mothers, all acquainted with Savannah, had unleashed a torrent of insults; Lily didn’t understand the words, but she knew they were harsh.
Lily, in her car seat, gazed at the familiar scenery outside.
‘Mommy, are we going home?” Her bright eyes dimmed.
Evelyn said softly, “This is the last time we’re going to the Reed residence. Mrs. Reed, Miss Lily, welcome back!”
Davis, the housekeeper, visibly relaxed at their arrival. The household staff had been on edge. since Evelyn’s abrupt departure.
Evelyn explained, “Lily and I are just here to pack our stuff.”
Davis didn’t think too much of it. She said, “Miss Hayes is here.”
As Evelyn and Lily entered the living room, they heard Savannah cursing.
“Those fat bitches! I was taking the high road! If I had really fought back, I could have kicked. their guts out! Ouch! Caleb, easy!”
Savannah sat on the sofa. Caleb was dabbing at her wounds with a cotton swab. Tommy anxiously asked, “Sav, does it hurt?”
“I’m tough, it doesn’t hurt! Ow! Caleb, don’t be so rough!” Savannah winced, lifting her foot to kick Caleb.
Caleb sharply commanded,“Sit still!”
Seeing Savannah’s injuries, Tommy felt even more guilty.
“It’s my fault. You
fault. You got hurt because of me.”
16:49
Tommy puffed out his cheeks, his head downcast. He glanced cautiously at Caleb. When Evelyn was injured a burn, or a cut hand Caleb had never shown concern, let alone tended to her wounds. But he was patiently treating Savannah.
In Caleb’s heart, Savannah was paramount. Tommy turned and saw Evelyn and Lily.
“Humph!” Tommy turned away, refusing to talk to them.
forward,
closing the
Savannah leaned
closing the distance between herself and Caleb.
“Evelyn, you’re finally back…” Savannah’s voice dripped with sarcasm. aleb instructed Evelyn without even looking at her, “Savannah’s clothes are dirty. Get her some Glean ones from the closet.” His eyes and heart were only on Savannah. Evelyn ignored him and took Lily upstairs. He’d vowed to care for her forever at their wedding, making her believe he loved her. Since Lily and Tommy’s birth, they’d slept separately. His mother had advised her to focus on the children, not to bother Caleb. One day, when she was delivering Caleb soup, she overheard Caleb tell someone on the phone. We’ve been sleeping separately, so I have no idea if she snores.” Then Savannah’s boisterous laughter echoed in hist headset. Evelyn silently put down the soup and left.
“She’s too clingy, don’t you find her annoying sometimes?”
From that day on, Evelyn had poured her heart into her children.
After Evelyn and Lily disappeared upstairs, Savannah spoke, “Evelyn doesn’t seem happy. She’s still mad at me, right?”
Caleb carefully applied ointment to Savannah’s wound. “Ignore her.” He knew Evelyn wouldn’t give him the cold shoulder for long. Once Savannah left, Evelyn would return, humbly seeking
his attention.
Tommy grumbled beside them, “It’s Lily’s fault! If she hadn’t stopped me, I could have protected Sav!”
Savannah pulled Tommy into a hug.
“Tommy, you’re still young, but in my eyes, you and your dad are both very strong men.” The comparison to Caleb made Tommy happy. A smile spread across his face. Hist eyes held admiration for Caleb.
A moment later, Evelyn and Lily came downstairs. Evelyn carried a large suitcase, Lily was helping her to lift it. Though Lily was strong, Evelyn refrained from letting her carry heavy items. alone. Lily only carried a small backpack and a teddy bear.
Savannah
gasped. “Evelyn, where are you going with that huge suitcase?”
Caleb’s gaze: landed on Evelyn’s luggage, ice forming in his deep eyes.
“What are you doing?”
Evelyn, breathless, placed the suitcase down. She painstakingly removed her wedding ring, placing it on the coffee table. She noticed his long, elegant fingers, smooth and unblemished he’d never worn his ring in their seven years of marriage. Hers, however, had left a permanent mark on her finger.
Caleb’s sharp brow arched, his breath cold.“Evelyn, enough!” Running back to her parents‘ house, taking off her ring it was childish.
Evelyn’s eyes
shifted to Caleb’s wrist, then to Savannah’s. She laughed. “You’re wearing matching
< Chapters One Last Time at the end.
watches?”
Caleb finally looked at Savannah’s wrist; she was wearing a matching women’s watch. “Evelyn! Even though they’re matching watches, it means something different on us – it’s a sign of our friendship!” Savannah retorted indignantly, “Caleb and I
band I grew up together, what’s wrong
with that?”
“Oh, right.” Savannah suddenly remembered something. She pulled a small, square box from her backpack.“Caleb knows you’re upset so he asked me to choose a gift for you. Evelyn, take this and let’s forget about the birthday party thing.”
vannah opened the box, revealing a simple, somewhat crudely made four–leaf clover necklace. Savannah tilted her head innocently; Evelyn noticed Savannah was wearing an identical, but far more expensive and exquisitely crafted, necklace.
