Chapter 88: Chapter 79: Ex-Fiancée (3)

She finally understood the feeling of being alone in the dead of night, watching a lamp’s shadow dwindle, painfully aware of how long the night could be.

Seeing that even beautiful scenery couldn’t cheer her up, Annabelle Leighton made a sharp observation. “Isla Prescott, you’re done for. You’re totally hooked!”

The words sent goosebumps racing down Isla Prescott’s arms.

Yes, she really was done for.

She had walked into this with her eyes wide open, only to fall in completely, sinking deeper and deeper.

On the last day of their trip, everyone had lunch together before heading to the airport for their flight home.

Kiki Ford and the others were sad to leave, frantically recording the ocean views from the taxi window with their phones. Only Isla Prescott was eager to get back.

Shane Sterling knew she was returning to Meritopia today and had specifically texted to ask for her flight information.

Isla Prescott had thought Shane Sterling was coming to pick her up, but when she landed in Meritopia and walked out of the airport, she saw his special assistant, Justin Wyatt, instead.

Justin Wyatt approached with a cheerful smile and took Isla Prescott’s suitcase from her.

“Miss Prescott, did you have a good trip?”

“It was great.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Young Mr. Shaw had something come up today and couldn’t get away, so he sent me to pick you up.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you coming.”

Isla Prescott glanced at her phone. Shane Sterling still hadn’t replied to the picture she’d sent before boarding.

“Is he in a meeting?”

“No, Young Mr. Shaw was tied up with a family matter today. He went back to Arcadia Heights.”

—

Today was Ezra Sterling’s birthday.

Unlike Shane Sterling’s birthday, which no one ever paid attention to, the entire family always gathered to celebrate his younger brother Ezra’s birthday each year.

When Shane Sterling walked in, his mother, Audrey Hughes, and Ezra Sterling were sitting on the sofa. An iPad rested on their laps, and they were leaning against each other, looking at some photos. Audrey’s eyes were filled with contentment.

“Ezra!” Shane Sterling called out loudly.

Ezra Sterling wore a hearing aid and could just barely make out some sounds.

He looked up at Shane Sterling.

Shane Sterling placed a gift in front of Ezra Sterling and signed “Happy Birthday” to him.

Ezra Sterling was overjoyed and tried to form the words with his mouth. “Thank… you!”

“Awesome!” Shane Sterling ruffled his brother’s hair like he was petting a puppy and signed, “You’re doing great!”

Audrey Hughes watched her sons interact without a word. Shane Sterling made no effort to greet her either. The two of them, with Ezra Sterling between them, seemed to be separated by an insurmountable barrier.

Not long after, his father, Victor Sterling, arrived.

Victor Sterling had come straight from the office. He wore a navy-blue suit and gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an air that was both refined and scholarly, yet sharp with a businessman’s cunning.

The moment he stepped inside, he walked straight to his wife, Audrey Hughes.

“I heard from Mrs. Carter that your headaches were acting up again a few days ago. How are you? Are you feeling better?” His tone was gentle and full of concern.

But Audrey Hughes was unmoved, replying coolly, “I’m fine.”

Victor Sterling wanted to show more concern, but Audrey Hughes simply ignored him, stood up, and walked to the kitchen doorway. “We’re ready to eat,” she told the housekeeper inside.

“Yes, Madam.”

The four of them took their seats.

The kitchen had prepared an abundance of food for the occasion.

The crystal chandelier made the glistening abalone shine. Australian lobster was served two ways—steamed and stir-fried. A thick, glazed tureen of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall simmered with hot soup… But even a feast fit for an emperor couldn’t overcome a silence so heavy it made every bite taste like ash.

The grating scrape of silver cutlery against porcelain plates seemed to mock this group of people who could dine on shark fin soup but couldn’t muster a single word of casual conversation.

For some reason, Shane Sterling’s mind drifted to the meal he’d had at Isla Prescott’s home. They didn’t even have a proper dining table, but the meal had been filled with laughter and cheerful chatter, the atmosphere so warm and inviting.

The loneliest feast, perhaps, was one just like this: a family of four, all present, yet completely devoid of any warmth or human connection.

In moments like these, Shane Sterling almost envied Ezra Sterling for being unable to speak. At least his brother didn’t have to constantly shred his own feelings and stir them into polite platitudes, agonizing over what to say and what to leave unsaid, only to swallow it all in the end.

“Sean, you know sign language, don’t you?” Victor Sterling suddenly asked.

“A little.”

“Help me translate something for Ezra.”

Shane Sterling grunted in acknowledgment.

It was Ezra Sterling’s birthday, so Shane assumed his father wanted him to translate some well wishes for his younger brother. Instead, Victor Sterling said, “Ask him if he’s willing to be set up for a potential marriage.”

The moment the words were out, Audrey Hughes’s sharp gaze shot toward him.

Victor Sterling was clearly wary of his wife and hurriedly explained, “It’s the only daughter of the Shaw family. She fell ill a few years ago and had to have an amputation, but she’s fully recovered now. She’s about the same age as Ezra. We were just talking about it at a gathering yesterday, and from what Sherman said, he seems interested in a marriage alliance with our family. I thought it over, and it would be a good thing if this marriage could actually happen. That’s why I wanted to ask Ezra what he thinks.”

Audrey Hughes slammed her silver chopsticks down with a CLATTER. Her voice was laced with pure hatred.

“’A good thing?’ I’d like to ask you, President Sterling, what part of this do you find to be a ’good thing’?”

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