Chapter 23:
The car came to a halt, and Frey opened the door for Harlee.
Harlee stepped out.
“Harlee!” Footsteps came closer, and before Harlee could raise her head, someone wrapped her in a warm hug.
Harlee tensed, fighting the instinct to pull away.
“Harlee! My dear Harlee!” The woman holding Harlee was stunning, reluctant to release Harlee, tears streaming down her face.
“Honey, while it is wonderful that our daughter has returned, let’s not overwhelm her,” a man, known as Lonnie Sanderson, Harlee’s father, said gently.
He noticed Harlee’s unease and kindly led her over.
“I’m sorry. I just got too carried away,” Skyla Sanderson, Harlee’s mother, replied. She wiped her tears, though her eyes stayed red.
“Harlee, it’s so nice to have you back.”
Harlee felt unsure of how to react, so she simply nodded at them.
Harlee appeared a bit distant, but her parents didn’t seem to mind at all. They looked at her with a mixture of sorrow and guilt.
“It’s hot outside. Let’s go inside first,” Lonnie suggested.
Skyla nodded and turned back.
“That’s right.
Frey, could you please help bring Harlee’s bag inside?”
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“I can handle it myself,” Harlee said, lifting her small backpack.
Lonnie and Skyla exchanged a glance at the sight of Harlee’s minimal luggage.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson, the gifts you prepared for the Gill family haven’t been accepted by them.” Frey then shared his experience of being turned away at the Gill residence.
Lonnie and Skyla Sanderson frowned. They had felt immense gratitude toward the Gill family for their efforts in raising Harlee. Now that Harlee was back with the Sandersons, their thankfulness was overflowing.
“Harlee, what do you think?” Skyla tentatively asked Harlee for her opinion.
Thinking back to the Gill family’s harsh demeanor, Harlee responded calmly, “The Gill family wants to cut all connections with me.”
Harlee paused, feeling the need to explain, and added, “They’re afraid I’ll ask them for money, especially since I have five older brothers.”
Lonnie and Skyla shared a bewildered look.
Ask for money? They had more than enough for a lifetime.
As for Harlee’s five older brothers, the notion of them struggling with money was laughable.
“Could there be a misunderstanding?” Lonnie wondered aloud.
Harlee shrugged and replied, “Maybe.” She wasn’t bothered and couldn’t care less about the Sanderson family’s financial status.
“If that’s the case, let’s just drop it.” Skyla noticed Harlee’s indifference toward the Gill family and decided to change the subject. She instructed Frey, “Please put these things in Harlee’s room.”
Gazing at Harlee, Skyla said gently, “Harlee, those are just some gifts.
Feel free to handle them as you please.” As they talked, they walked into the villa’s grand hall.
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