Chapter 314
I instinctively took a step back. “Gregory…” I murmured.
He glanced at me, his emotions brewing under the surface, and muttered tersely. “Get out”
Then, he knelt to pick up the shattered pieces with his bare hands carefully and deliberately.
Feeling sorry, I quickly knelt to help him. “I’m sorry. I…,”
Without lifting his head, he repeated coldly, “I told you to get out.”
*Jane, let’s just go.” Molly took my hand, and we left, softly closing the door behind us. Once outside, she explained, “That piggy bank was his treasure. He took it everywhere and never let anyone touch it.”
“He…” I felt a pang of guilt, wanting to make it right. “Do you know where I can buy another one? I’ll replace it.”
“You can’t.” Molly shook her head. “It was a birthday gift from Lilliana. She pleaded with Ramona to bring in a potter to specifically create it for him. She said the rabbit represented herself, wanting to always be with him.”
I fell silent, understanding Gregory’s attachment. “No wonder he cherished it so much.”
“Yeah.” Molly sighed regretfully. “I wasn’t even born then, but my family and my brother adored Lilliana. They probably would have been married if it weren’t for that accident.”
She lowered her voice, adding a hint of mystery, “Jane, do you know when he would add coins to it?”
Curious, I asked, “When?”
I was surprised to hear someone still kept the habit of saving coins.
“One time…” Molly glanced timidly toward the study to ensure Gregory hadn’t come out before she leaned in closer. “I once caught him, eyes all red, sniffling as he dropped a coin inside! When I asked him about it, he denied it. But that’s just like him. I’ve never seen him cry over anything, even when he was all bruised up. So, I guess he must save a coin whenever he misses Lilliana a lot.”
My fingers unconsciously traced the palm of my hand. “Do you have a photo of that piggy bank?”
Hearing Molly’s story and recalling the scattered coins, I could hardly imagine how Gregory had coped all these years. After breaking something that meant too much to him, I had to find a way to make amends.
Molly nodded. “Yeah, I do.”
I asked eagerly, “Could you send it to me?”
Molly said, “Just check my brother’s social media. He posted it there once.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Gregory came out, unfazed, though his eyes betrayed a faint, fractured light.
When noticing me still there, his eyelashes fluttered momentarily before his gaze returned to its usual casual indifference. “Still here?”
I bit my lip. “Yeah… I wanted to apologize.”
He grabbed a soda from the fridge, twisted the cap off, and took a swig, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. Finally, with his inherently cold demeanor, he quipped, “So, you know how to apologize, huh?”
Knowing I was at fault, I let Gregory have his moment. “Yes, it’s my fault. Mr. Ford, can you please forgive me?”
He smirked noncommittally. “Depends on my mood.”
I murmured, “Okay then, I’ll let you get back to your mood. I’m heading home, okay?”
“Hmm.” He responded faintly.
After saying goodbye to Molly, I turned to leave.
As I stepped out of Gregory’s place and closed the door behind me, I saw Mark standing at my door. He turned at the sound, surprise evident in his gaze upon seeing me emerge from Gregory’s place.
“What were you doing at Mr. Ford’s place? I thought you weren’t back yet.”
“Oh, just had them over for pizza,” I said with a smile, unlocking my door. “Dorothy was causing trouble at the office again, and his sister helped me out.”
Mark raised an eyebrow. “His sister? Which one?”
I smiled. “Molly. Do you know her?”
He pondered for a moment before replying, “That doesn’t ring a bell.”
I asked, “By the way, what brings you here so late?”