Silly Attempt at Finding Comfort


    I gazed at the kitchen and dining area I had cleaned before washing my face. However, I didn’t return


    to my room. Instead, I went to Ava’s room andy beside her. Surprisingly, I fell asleep almost


    immediately.


    Ava had already been awake and ying with her dolls when I woke up. After some thought, I told her,


    Let’s change our clothes. I’ll take you out for breakfast and then to the office. If there’s nothing urgent,


    we can visit Grandma and Grandpa, okay?”


    Ava cheered and asked if she could bring her doll with her.


    Meanwhile, I called Ryan and told him I’de byter. I helped Ava prepare, found her winter clothes,


    and packed them in a small suitcase. I also packed my belongings before we left.


    We went to the office after breakfast. Although it was Ava’s first time here, she quickly became the


    office princess. Carol brought her around while I dealt with a few matters with Ryan. I also told him I


    wanted to return to my hometown today to fetch my parents.


    Ryan looked me up and down, then nodded. “All right, go ahead. Don’t worry about thepany. Carol


    and I have everything under control. I’ll call you if there are any emergencies. Just spend time with your


    parents. Call me before you return, and I’ll pick you up at the airport.”


    Soon after, Carol booked the ne tickets.


    On the way to the airport, Ryan looked at me through the rearview mirror. I said nothing because I


    wasn’t feeling it today. I had dark circles under my eyes, which he noticed. Still, he didn’t ask about


    them or


    make me feel ufortable.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    When we arrived, he escorted me and Ava to the security checkpoint. He repeatedly reminded me to


    take good care of my daughter, especially since it was cold outside. He didn’t want Ava to catch a cold.


    The fresh air woke me from a daze when Inded in the snowy north. I took a deep breath and felt


    more awake in days. Once out of the airport, we took a cab home.


    Ava was ecstatic and kept pointing out ces to me like a little tour guide. I only turned on my phone


    when we reached my parents‘ ce. Immediately after, I called Ryan to tell him we had arrived safely.


    However, I felt disappointed when I noticed I hadn’t received any calls from As. He didn’t call me


    during my few days in my hometown. I felt empty, cold, and hurt. It seemed I was a mere substitute for


    his lover.


    I stayed with my parents for two weeks, sorting out everything in the house. Afraid that my parents


    would!


    worry, I moved their essentials into my dad’s study and locked the door.


    -1/2-


    rented out the house to a rtive of one of my dad’s colleagues. I knew they were trustworthy


    enough to look after it.


    When boarding the flight, I called Ryan and gave him the flight information. My family and I finally


    reached Foswood ust before New Year’s Day.


    Back home, I finally managed to let go of a lingering worry. Regardless of everything, we were together,


    and my parents were here to look after us.


    Everyone was busy preparing for the holidays when I went to the office the following day. This period


    was typically the busiest for thepany since we bid farewell to the previous year and weed the


    new


    one.


    I tried to keep busy because I feared thinking of As in moments of silence. My heart ached during


    these moments.


    I knew something went wrong on his birthday, but I didn’t know what it was. It was evident he had been


    drinking that day. I reyed our conversation countless times, unable to find what angered him.


    We had anotherpany dinner after the New Year’s Eve celebration. Grayson sat beside me this


    time. More people were here than at the firstpany dinner, making it livelier. Everyone chatted,


    toasted, and


    wished me a prosperous new year.


    That evening, I unknowingly had a little too much to drink.


    Then, someone caught my attention when they mentioned ATL Empire. I carefully listened as they


    discussed how ATL Empire had already started their holiday since Christmas.


    I nced at Grayson and casually asked, “Is that so?”


    He looked at me earnestly and said, “It’s no surprise. They’re a bigpany with excellent benefits.


    Having an extra long holiday at the end of the year is just one of them. Their CEO has even returned


    home


    to celebrate Christmas.”


    I realized Grayson meant As had returned to Ostana. That was where ATL Empire’s headquarters


    was. It exined why I hadn’t received any calls from him.


    I couldn’t help butugh at myself as that thought crossed my mind. It was a silly attempt at finding


    <pfort.