Chapter 5 A Life Meant to End Soon
To be fair, the Tudor family had few daughters, and before Isabella's return, Hazel had been the family's little princess.
"My apologies, I didn't realize," Isabella said, unable to read these people's temperaments but unwilling to create tension the moment she walked through the door.
"Enough! Bunny just got home and doesn't even know you people yet. What courtesy and warmth are you expecting? If there's nothing else, go to your rooms!" Raymond's voice cut through the air.
Yvette glanced at Raymond's protective stance and let out a cold laugh.
Then the quiet woman who had remained silent finally spoke. "Bunny, I'm your aunt Jennifer Stewart. We haven't met before."
Aunt? Mother's sister? Then why hadn't her brother mentioned Jennifer earlier?
Jennifer reached out enthusiastically to take Isabella's hand. "Isabella, you must be exhausted. Should we take Grandmother to her room first, or would you prefer to see your mother?"
How peculiar Jennifer was! She expressed concern for Isabella's fatigue, yet immediately placed her in a difficult position—asking her to choose between tending to Grandmother or visiting Mother.
Isabella hesitated, realizing that no matter whom she chose, the other might feel neglected. Either way, she risked appearing unfilial.
Isabella remained silent, looking toward Brandon. Somehow, she instinctively trusted her brother.
"Grandmother first," Brandon suggested quietly.
Isabella took two steps toward her grandmother.
"Don't bother. I can't accept such consideration," Yvette said, preparing to leave.
Then, as if remembering something, she handed her rosary to Hazel and whispered something.
Hazel approached and pressed the beads heavily into Isabella's hand. "Grandmother said these are for you! Hmph! She's clearly playing favorites."
Though spoken softly, Isabella caught every word. Raymond's eyes narrowed at the scene, while Kyle shot Hazel a sharp look.
"Thank you, Grandmother." Isabella had initially wanted to refuse the gift, but one glance changed her mind. It looked expensive—perfect for travel funds when she inevitably needed to escape.
"Since Grandmother is tired, she should rest. Bunny, would you like to come see your mother?" Raymond asked.
"Yes, Dad," Isabella replied casually.
Raymond froze. Then his face broke into a smile that stunned everyone present.
After eighteen years, they were finally witnessing the Tudor family's stoic, cold patriarch actually smile.
Ever since Raymond had taken control, he'd elevated the family from fourth to second among the elite houses—and with overseas assets, they could probably match the Hamilton family, though Raymond preferred keeping a low profile.
His smile proved how much he truly valued this lost daughter.
"Raymond, the DNA results haven't arrived yet," Jennifer interjected again.
Isabella raised an eyebrow.
Jennifer was truly peculiar—first warmly embracing Isabella as family, then creating difficulties, and now, seeing Isabella hadn't fallen for her traps, questioning her identity.
What was her game? She seemed determined to prevent Isabella from seeing Mother. But why?
Isabella tilted her head, studying Jennifer carefully.
"That won't be necessary, Aunt. I can recognize my own sister! Since my sister has returned, I'm sure Mother won't need your frequent visits for comfort anymore. You and your daughter should return to your own home when convenient," Brandon said coldly.
Jennifer's eyes immediately welled with tears as she looked at Raymond.
Good God, she must be an actress! She could produce tears in under a second!
"Brandon is right," Raymond said, clearly done with the conversation.
He took Isabella's hand, ready to leave.
"Enough! I won't have anyone in this house talking about leaving! This is a day for family reunion, and I won't tolerate tears!" Grandmother's voice rang with authority.
Isabella glanced back at the group, sensing the Tudor family was far more complicated than Brandon had suggested. Not everyone seemed pleased about her homecoming—except Larry, who appeared genuinely happy.
"Raymond, wait for me! By the way, Mrs. Hamilton visited last night. Did you know?" Larry called out, hurrying after them.
"What did she want?"
"Don't tell me you've forgotten! When Bunny was born that month..."
"I've forgotten."
"Oh, don't be like that! Mrs. Hamilton said you must remember—her son is twenty-three now and can't wait much longer!"
"He's too old."
"Only five years older! How is that old? You're seven years older than your wife!"
"When I say no, I mean no." Raymond glared at Larry, then softened his expression, worried about frightening Isabella.
Soon, a red-roofed white house appeared on the estate's western side, covering approximately fifteen thousand square feet with a fingerprint-locked gate.
As Raymond approached to knock, he saw a woman in a white dress standing at the entrance, a long rosary draped between her hands.
The moment she spotted Isabella, tears streamed down her face like pearls. The iron gate opened, and she rushed out, embracing Isabella tightly.
"Bunny! I have finally waited for you!"
Before Isabella could say "Mother," the woman's overwhelming emotion caused her to collapse.
Raymond caught her, racing toward the main house. "Quick! Call the doctor!"
"Bunny, keep up!" Brandon grabbed Isabella's wrist as they followed Raymond's sprint.
Larry ran in the opposite direction, phone pressed to his ear.
Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Laura clung to Yvette's side, sobbing. "Now that Isabella's been found, will Raymond send us away? I really can't bear to leave you! You're like my own grandmother—I feel sad every day I don't see you."
Yvette stroked Laura's hair soothingly. "Don't worry, that won't happen. Just wait and see—bringing someone home isn't always a blessing."
Before Yvette finished speaking, servants' alarmed voices echoed from outside.
Laura started to rise, but Yvette stopped her. "Don't go. Gloria's health is fragile—I expected this. Besides, you and your mother needn't worry. Raymond isn't ungrateful."
"Yvette, we don't mean it that way. We genuinely want to stay by your side. Look, Mother is preparing medicinal soup for you right now! She truly cares about your health," Laura said, though guilt crept into her voice.
Her mother's desire to replace Gloria and marry Raymond was hardly a secret—otherwise, why would they have lived in the Tudor house for ten years?
As for herself, she'd enjoyed the Tudor family's wealth for a decade. Why should Isabella's return force her back to that cramped, shabby courtyard?
At least her father was dead—and good riddance. Otherwise, how could she have lived as Eltheron's socialite? She blamed Jennifer too. If only she'd seduced Raymond years ago, their family would have secured their position long ago.
She hated it! Why had Isabella survived eighteen years only to return now? Wouldn't it have been better if Isabella had died out there?
Isabella looked like someone destined for an early grave anyway.
Hazel entered carrying a cup of coffee, shivering when she saw Laura's vicious expression.