All Sophia could do was console the villagers. A few would come with them for this time, and if things went well,
they would contact the rest of them to slowly help them venture out into the open world. The village head thanked
Sophia while he dropped by.
He also told Sophia about the fact that the villagers were all thankful toward John for helping to pave the roads, as
well as finding the younger generation a job. It was all thanks to Sophia that the lives of these people were about to
change for the better.
However, Sophia felt guilty, as she did nothing to help, so she didn’t think she deserved their gratitude.
In the meantime, Walter caught wind of their impending departure due to the commotion it raised, so he came to
Sophia’s house once again. He was wearing the same shirt, and though he tried his best to keep up appearances, it
didn’t take a lot for the others to deduce that he wasn’t in fact as well off as he presented himself to be.
When he arrived at the house, the villagers were still in there. Chuckling, he walked up to them. “Oh, so everyone’s
here. This looks fun.”
Although the yard was full of boisterous chatter just moments ago, the villagers stopped talking as soon as they saw
him. As if not noticing the abrupt shift in their countenance, Walter alone was chuckling. “I heard that Sophia will be
leaving the place soon.
It has only been a few days, so why the hurry? You don’t get to come home everyday, so why not spend some more
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇttime here?”
However, his question was ignored by everyone. All Sophia did was stare at him with a blank expression while
standing in the yard.
On the other hand, John didn’t notice what was going on in the yard as he was planning the route they would take
with a few other men in the house. He told them that someone would meet them when they arrived at their
destination.
Observing the villagers from where he stood, Walter chuckled before approaching Sophia. “I was planning on
paying my respects at your grandfather’s grave yesterday, but I couldn’t find it. Sophia, why don’t you bring me
there? I miss him, and after all those years, I figured he would miss me too.” The manner in which he spoke
sounded almost frivolous, which expressed neither guilt nor regret.
With a stern look on her face, Sophia said, “You don’t have the right to pay your respects, as Grandpa wouldn’t
want to see you. Whatever items that you and your wife left behind, he had burned them all to ashes. He told me
that you’ve both died, which I will take as the truth, so our ties are severed.”
Clicking his tongue, Walter chided, “You brat. Why are you being so unfilial toward me? I understand that you hate
me, but that’s between us. I am your grandfather’s son, so he will be angry if you stop us from seeing each other.
He must be waiting to see me, Sophia, so stop being so stubborn! This isn’t the time to throw a tantrum.”
Sophia was watching him closely. Although she had no recollection of him whatsoever, she used to imagine what
her parents’ character might be. She had assumed that adults should be more or less the same when they reached
a certain age, despite the way people would have different dispositions.
Considering their age, she figured they should be steadfast people with a sense of decorum; even if life was harsh
on them, they would at least be honorable people.
However, upon coming into contact with Walter, she was disillusioned with the idea, as Walter was the exact
opposite of what she envisioned an adult should look like.
Judging from his flippant attitude, it sure seemed that Walter lacked a sense of dignity. After pursing her lips, Sophia
accused in a stern voice, “Why would you only realize now that he had been waiting for you? Where were you
throughout the years?”
Walter heaved a sigh before replying, “Sophia, things aren’t as simple as they seem. We never wanted to leave, but
we owed people some money. I was having it hard, but not only did your grandfather refuse to help us out, but he
blamed us for dragging everybody in the family down with us. With that in mind, don’t you think he was the one
who forced your mother and I to leave?”
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