Gloria was in a silent mood as she prepared for that day's journey.
She hadn't met Xander in person yet. The man wasn't even at the clan, so she could only deal with Cassy, Ian and Iris. However, when she thought that these three knew what was happening when she was brought here but kept her in the dark, she felt too tired to talk to them.
As a result, Gloria kept to herself, all the way to Millstone town.
The plane that amazed her a week ago, felt a bit dull. All she could think about was Simon and his reaction when he saw her later.
However, after they landed, Gloria panicked when she saw that she wasn't being taken to the clan.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked with gritted teeth at Cassy who was sitting next to her.
Cassy apologetically looked at her before responding, "Madam, please be patient. Trust us, you really need to go there!"
When Gloria heard that, she clenched her fists, wanting to say something but still ended up not saying anything. She looked outside the window, and the three heaved with relief upon seeing that she wasn't pursuing the matter anymore.
Gloria looked at the familiar buildings and roads. If they continued to drive on this road, they would soon pass by the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Just a week ago, she was there getting a divorce which broke her heart deeply and now she would be passing there. And might even see a lot of couples getting married. The pain everything, she had learnt so far gave her was too much. Passing that place felt like a joke.
However, to her greatest horror, the car that was supposed to drive past the Civil Affairs Bureau didn't do as she thought but parked by the roadside.
"You … what are you doing?" she stammered and asked nervously, looking at the three culprits who sides with each other, disregarding the pain she was feeling.
Iris who was sitting in the front turned her head to look at Gloria and smiled apologetically before saying, "Madam, don't panic. This is for your own good!" while passing a tablet over to her.
Badum. Badum. Badum.
Gloria upon seeing the tablet, her heart was already uneasy and started thumping loudly. The last time someone gave her a tablet; she became unconscious for four good days. What were these people plotting this time?
Gloria hesitated to take the tablet, her hand trembling at the thought of suffering another blow but then a soothing voice rang in her ears.
"Madam, it will be fine. Just take it. I promise you that you will not regret taking it!"
Gloria exhaled deeply as she looked at Iris. She gritted her teeth, the uneasiness still there but took the tablet this time.
'I hope that it's not something shocking!' she prayed piously as she unlocked the screen and then froze.
"What is this?" Gloria chocked as she saw a playing video, showing faces that she was very familiar with.
"Madam, you wanted answers. You will find them there. Just keep on watching!" Cassy soothing voice rang in her ears and upon hearing that, Gloria could only take deep breaths before concentrating on what was showing.
****
"Mother and father-in-law, thank you very much for coming today!" Simon gratefully thanked the couple standing next to Sia who was blushing and looking all shy.
The woman holding Sia's arm smiled dotingly at Sia before looking at Simon and responded, "I should be the one thanking you for keeping your promise. Just don't let Sia down!"
Simon smiled affectionately as he looked at Sia, his love seeming deep and not hidden at all.
"I won't let her down. I will repay all the grievances she suffered in these past few years!"
When that was said, there was silence for a while before a woman who was standing next to Simon opened her mouth.
"Everything happens for a reason. Remember, there is something called fate!" she said, her fingers rolling the prayer beads in her hand.
Simon turned to look at her and then smiled, gratitude in his eyes. "Mom, I am sorry for making you suffer all those years!"
Simon's mother patted him on the shoulder, a doting smile on her face and answered, "Son, I want you to be happy. Since she makes you happy, then this mother will weather all storms for you. Always remember that!"
Simon sniffed as he looked at her, feeling touched by his mother's love. He was always grateful for that. His mother was always on his side.
"And don't care about people's gossip. Everything will be fine!"
Sia smiled at Simon's mother and chirped in, "Thank you mother for accepting me!" seeming very shy.
Simon's mother looked affectionately at Sia before her gaze lowered to her flat belly and said, "Since you make my son happy, then I am happy with you. Moreover, you are carrying this family's blood. How can I not like you?"
The more she looked at Sia, the more Simon's mother liked her. Unlike that hen who couldn't lay eggs, Sia was better. She could now face her husband in the afterlife.
Whenever she thought about not holding her grandchild in this life, the more she hated Gloria. Thankfully, her son got enlightened and got rid of that useless person.
On the other side, Sia's parents smiled widely when Simon's mother said that.
"In-law. I guess we are fated! It's good seeing such a happy event."
"And don't worry about Gloria. Since she divorced Simon, she can't interfere anymore!"
Sia smiled brightly when she heard that and looked gratefully at her parents.
"Moreover, the moment she went to that other clan, the second her reputation was in tatters," Sia's mother, who happened to be Gloria's as well added, her gaze cold as she talked about Gloria.
Her father clicked his tongue furiously, disdain in his eyes as he added. "It's already shameful that she couldn't do anything and yet before she left, she put on airs. Who in the clan likes her right now?"
Sia chuckled when she heard that and patted her father comfortingly. "Dad, don't stress yourself about sister!"
"Don't call her sister! You have no such sister like that!" Anne Hill, Sia and Gloria's mother scolded.
Sia's smile widened and reached the eyes. Anyone could tell that she was very happy with that piece of news.
The five of them were having the time of their life, leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau building.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Simon's phone started ringing as they exited the building.
"Who could be calling?" he mumbled as he fished the phone out of the pocket but when he saw the caller ID, he rolled his eyes and put it back in the pocket.
Sia who was hanging on his arm like a purse rolled her eyes as well since she saw who was calling.
"Don't answer her. I wonder what else she wants to talk about!" Sia said complainingly when she thought about her so-called sister who was always sending messages to Simon, disturbing them.
Simon looked lovingly at Sia and patted her hand in consolation before responding, "She doesn't have any useful information at the moment. Except to bother me greeting and telling me nonsense. She can't even do anything!" his tone full of disdain and frustration at how useless Gloria was.
Anne chuckled mockingly when she heard that and added, "She had always been like that. Instead of doing anything useful, she was always running around and playing with mud. Instead of taking the responsibility of being a matriarch, she only thought about her gardens. Don't bother with her, otherwise _" before she could finish, Anne's phone started ringing as well.
She frowned momentarily wondering who was disturbing this peaceful moment as she rummaged through her handbag to search for her phone.
When she took it out, the frown on her face deepened, and her eyes were filled with nothing but disgust.
When Sia saw her mother's reaction, she couldn't help but wonder who was calling and making her mother look like that. Filled with so much curiosity, she asked her mother softly, "Mother, who is calling?"
Everyone was curious, to be honest, and when Anne heard that, she clicked her tongue in disgust as she answered, "That unfilial and useless daughter of mine. Perhaps after not picking up her call, she thought about calling me!"
When Sia heard that, her gaze turned cold as she thought about something before a sly smile blossomed on her face.
"Mother, don't ignore her. Answer her and let's see what she wants. And it would be great if you told her that you are attending a wedding!" her tone was full of mischief, it made those around Sia, smile dotingly at her.
Simon next to her, flicked her nose playfully as he lovingly said, "Getting jealous, aren't you?"
Sia rolled her eyes playfully at Simon as she secretly pinched him. Simon didn't flinch but let her do as she pleased. After all, he had wronged her for many years. It was just right to let her vent.
With everyone curious about what Gloria wanted to say, Anne reluctantly answered the call and put it on speaker.
[Hello, Mom!] A cheerful voice rang through the speaker and Anne felt discomfort when she heard it.
Wasn't Gloria upset about the whole thing?
Who was she trying to sound cheerful for?