Ice and Fire novel Chapter 185

Cherry's words left Wilson speechless. He knew that Cherry had always been in love with Jackson.

Cherry pretended to look tough. She glanced at Wilson, and said, "Wilson, after I leave, I hope that you can take good care of Jacob and my Mother. If you have any chance to meet a good girl whom you like, don't let the chance slip through your fingers. If you love her, please marry her."

Wilson replied by nodding his head and remaining silent.

Upstairs in their room, Jacob and Elsa were standing in front of the French windows, and as they looked out through them, they felt reluctant to let their daughter go.

"Cherry will leave us tomorrow and go and live with Jackson, " said Elsa, grieved. She thought that her house would become cold and gloomy after Cherry and Joe left.

"Well, Cherry should be living with Jackson; after all, she's the daughter-in-law of the Chu Family, and Jackson is Joe's father." said Jacob. Also feeling sad, he knew that Cherry had been forced by Jackson to come back to the Chu household. Although he had no idea about how Cherry felt about this, he vaguely felt that she had been coerced, and that she had troubles that she was reluctant to talk about with them.

"I feel bad about my beloved Grandson leaving me, " said Elsa with tears streaming down her face.

Jacob held her shoulder, and tried to comfort her, "Don't feel so sad about this. Cherry can always bring Joe here and frequently visit us."

Elsa then leaned against Jacob's chest and nodded.

After Cherry went upstairs to her room, Joe had taken his shower and had walked out of the bathroom. After he saw his mom, Joe cheerfully asked, "Mommy, can I go to bed?"

Cherry looked at Joe, sat on a chair nearby and then gave him a broad smile. She said, "Joe, come here, I have to tell you something."

Joe obediently went to his Mommy, and asked, "What's up?"

Cherry stroke her son's hair, before answering him, "Joe, are you willing to live with Jackson and his Family?"

When he heard her, Joe's cheerful face instantly changed. He became more calm and serious, and asked, "Mom, are we going back?"

Cherry nodded, and said, "Yes, tomorrow morning."

"Has dad threatened you by claiming that he will destroy Uncle's company if we disobey him?" asked Joe. Joe had a good understanding of his father's bossiness. How could Jackson let his Mom off so easily now that he had found out of his existence? He was also afraid that his Mom might suffer after they came back and lived together with his Daddy.

Cherry didn't intend to hide anything from Joe. She nodded to him, and added, "Joe, sooner or later, we still would have had to come back and live with your Daddy."

Cherry didn't want Joe to know of his father's dark history and domineering character. Some things were better to be kept away from his knowledge.

"Mommy, do you love Daddy?" asked Joe while he looked into Cherry's eyes. He knew that his mother had to feel very bitter about this. A man as excellent as his father must have had many women seeking his love, and after all, hadn't his Mommy left him because of his unfaithfulness and fickleness towards her?

Cherry nodded, indicating her reply.

Joe knew exactly what his Mommy was thinking about. He took her hand, and said, "We should go back to Daddy, so that we can finally live together as a Family!"

"But, I'm very concerned about you, " said Cherry. Before she added more, Joe raised his hand and covered her mouth with it.

"Mommy, don't worry about me, I can protect myself, and no harm will come to me! Besides, I'm Jackson's son, who do you think would ever dare to hurt me?" Joe pretended to be brave and fearless, but in actuality he was worried about the prospect of living with his father.

As she looked at her caring and sensible son, Cherry didn't know what to say to him anymore.

"Mommy, when we go back home and live with Daddy, you should drive away the women that covet him. Remember, you're his legitimate wife, and we're also a family, supposed to be living together, " said Joe in an attempt to comfort his grieved mother.

Cherry smiled at her son's words. She caressed Joe's hair, and said, "Alright Joe, pack your things, I'm gonna take you home tomorrow! I've already talked with your teacher, and you can skip school tomorrow for the whole day."

"Mommy, you can go and wash now; I already filled the bathtub for you, " said Joe in a cute and adorable manner.

"You're such a good son, did you know that?" said Cherry, while she walked towards the bathroom.

In the morning, Cherry ate her breakfast as usual. Wilson hesitated to go to his office, because he knew that today was the day when Cherry would leave their house and return to Jackson.

"Wilson, you should go now, you'll be late. Don't worry, I'll come by and see you, and besides, I don't want you to see me leave, " carefully said Cherry.

Wilson wanted to say goodbye to her, but was held back by a strong sadness. He then grabbed his briefcase and walked out of the house.

Cherry packed some clothes and Joe carried his schoolbag and a funny cartoon suitcase.

Outside of the villa, Elsa was crying, and Jacob also appeared to be morose. Their beloved Grandson was leaving, and they wouldn't be able to see him every day.

When Cherry saw that her mother was crying, her heart was also gripped by a fit of sadness. She wiped the tears off of her mother's face, and said, "Mom, please, don't cry! I promise that I'll come to visit you and Uncle, don't worry!"

"Alright, don't forget to do that! I don't want Joe to leave, but please come back with him whenever you have the time, " replied Elsa while she looked at her Grandson.

Joe also broke down and wept, and said, "Grandma and Grandpa, I'll come back to see you often, I promise!" said Joe.

"Joe, be a good boy and take good care of your Mom and don't upset her! Can you do that for me?" asked Elsa, while she amiably looked at Joe.

"Yes, grandma, " replied Joe in an obedient and adorable tone.

Cherry then said goodbye to Jacob. "Uncle, I'm leaving now, but don't worry, I'll come and see you!"

"Alright, "replied Jacob while he nodded his head. He wanted to say more to her, but couldn't.

After they saw Cherry's car pull away, Elsa leaned against Jacob's chest and started to sob uncontrollably. She whispered, "I wish that Cherry can live a good life with Jackson and his Family. She's been through a lot already."

"She will; I know that she will, " replied Jacob.

Cherry pulled her car just outside Jackson's villa in the suburb, and Joe got out of the car and checked the surroundings. "Mommy, it's pretty nice here, " said Joe delighted.

"Joe, take your things out of the car and let's go inside, " said Cherry, while she also started to haul her luggage from the car's trunk.

Joe took his things and then diligently followed Cherry inside the villa.

After they entered the villa, Cherry noticed that Jackson wasn't there; instead, she saw a middle-aged woman standing in the living room with another elderly man sitting next to her.

Cherry was confused, and wondered, 'Who are these people?' She hadn't been informed of their presence in the villa.

Joe saw the strange expression on his mother's face, and also felt bewildered when he saw the two people.

After Cherry placed her belongings on a table, she took Joe's hand and walked with him into the living room. They then saw Jackson coming downstairs from the second floor of the house.

When the middle-aged woman and the elderly man saw Jackson on the staircase, they respectfully and amiably greeted him, "Good morning, Mr. Chu."

Jackson ignored their greeting, and instead had his gaze completely focused on Joe.

"Who're they?" asked Cherry. She wondered who and why were the two people standing in their house.

Jackson then stopped in front of Joe. After he carefully inspected him, he turned to Cherry, and answered her, "Lily's the housemaid, and Bill is the driver."

It then occurred to Cherry that Jackson had hired two servants. She knew that a housemaid was useful, but she wondered why did he had to also hire a driver?