Chapter 435
He was not doing well at all.
Relatives kept asking about Ethan Roscente's whereabouts.
Victoria Roscente could only force a smile and explain he was away on business.
A business trip on New Year's Eve.
Everyone saw through the lie.
But no one wanted to point it out.
Victoria couldn't help but think of the past.
Ethan was successful in his career.
She was respected wherever she went.
Her daughter was beautiful and sensible.
Staying by her side to entertain guests.
Everyone praised her for raising such fine children.
Sophia Sullivan wasn't allowed to celebrate New Year's at the Roscente house.
But she sent carefully prepared gifts every year.
Now, all of that was gone.
The more Victoria thought about it, the more exhausted she felt.
If she hadn't stopped Sophia back then.
Would everything be different now?
The whole family happy and harmonious.
Full of laughter and joy.
She closed her eyes wearily.
She truly regretted it.
But it was too late to go back.
...
"You sure you don't need me to take you home, Ethan?"
"No." Ethan steadied himself. "You can go back."
"Be careful then. I'm really leaving?"
"Yeah."
Ethan pushed open the mansion's door.
Charlie Lowell watched his retreating figure and shook his head helplessly.
He had been playing cards with his family on New Year's Eve.
When he suddenly got a call from the bar manager.
Ethan was dead drunk.
The manager had to contact Charlie, a regular.
Charlie made an excuse and slipped out.
Rushing to the bar to pick him up.
His elders were still waiting at home.
He couldn't be away for long.
But he was really worried about Ethan in this state.
The housekeepers were all on holiday.
After some thought, Charlie contacted Fiona Valentine.
It was only natural for a girlfriend to take care of her boyfriend.
Fortunately, Fiona was in Kyoto.
She agreed to come over immediately after his call.
Only then did Charlie feel relieved to leave.
"Why bother..." He sighed while driving.
Just because Sebastian Evans posted a family photo.
Ethan had completely lost it.
When Charlie arrived.
Ethan was already drunk out of his mind.
Grabbing his arm and repeatedly calling out "Sophia."
He almost kissed him.
Luckily, Charlie dodged quickly.
Then he heard Ethan mumble intermittently.
"What's so good about Sebastian Evans... Why didn't you choose me..."
It had been two years.
And he still couldn't let go.
Everyone thought they would get back together.
No one expected Sophia to leave so decisively.
Sometimes Charlie thought Sophia was really cruel.
Other times he felt sorry for Ethan.
But most of the time, he thought the separation was for the best.
Six years of entanglement.
If they couldn't be together properly.
It was better for each to find their own peace.
Life always has regrets.
No need to force it.
But...
Charlie frowned.
Was Sophia really with Sebastian Evans?
It didn't seem likely.
He knew Sophia.
But they had taken a family photo.
Met the parents.
And were spending New Year's together.
It looked like they might be getting married soon.
No wonder Ethan went crazy.
After some thought, Charlie called Sebastian.
Planning to feel him out.
If it was a misunderstanding.
Ethan wouldn't have to drown his sorrows in drink anymore.
"Seb, happy new year... just calling to wish you well!"
"Happy new year."
"Celebrating at home? Send my regards to your parents."
"Thanks."
"The old house isn't far, I'll bring over a couple of good bottles—"
"No need, I'm not at the Evans'."
"Oh?" Charlie's eyes flickered. "Where are you then?"
"My grandparents' place."
"Oh—" He feigned nonchalance. "I'll just give the wine to your parents then, you can have it when you're back. Spending New Year's with the elders, they must be nagging you about marriage again, right?"
Silence on the other end.
Charlie forced a dry laugh. "Elders are the same every year, the same old lines, so annoying..."
Sebastian chuckled softly. "I got off easy this year, no nagging."
The old couple's attention was all on their daughter.
They didn't have time for him.
Charlie's heart sank.
No nagging about marriage.
Meant he already had someone to marry.
Was he really with Sophia Sullivan?
Charlie didn't dare imagine it.
If these two appeared in front of Ethan together.
He would completely lose his mind.
...
Inside the mansion.
Ethan fumbled for the light switch in the dark.
The wind on the way back had sobered him up.
But his throat was painfully dry.
He instinctively called towards the kitchen, "Martha, get me some water—"
He waited, but no one answered.
Then he remembered the housekeeper was on holiday back home.
He got up and walked to the kitchen.
Poured two glasses of water and downed them.
Finally quenched his thirst.
But his head was still fuzzy.
He returned to the living room and lay on the sofa.
Maybe it was the curled-up position combined with the alcohol.
His stomach began to cramp with waves of pain.
He reached for the drawer under the coffee table.
Sure enough, found the usual stomach medicine.
Sophia had said his stomach was weak.
And he liked lying on the sofa after social events.
So she kept medicine in the living room too.
He never paid much attention back then.
Now he had no chance to hear her nagging.
Too lazy to get more water.
He swallowed the pills with half a glass of cold water.
The medicine gradually took effect.
The pain eased.
He collapsed weakly on the sofa.
He didn't even know where the medicine was before.
After Sophia left, he slowly learned to take care of himself.
But he still seemed bad at it.
His life was still a mess.
Ethan looked at the empty, cold mansion.
The corner of his mouth lifted in self-mockery.
He was not doing well at all...
If she knew.
Would she feel even a little bit sorry for him?
Just then.
The sound of the door opening echoed.
Ethan sat up abruptly.
"Sophia..."