Back to Love: A New Beginning
Chapter 125

Chapter 125:.

While my mind was still foggy, the car stopped.

I peeked out the window and discovered that the car had been parked in the yard of Gifford’s house.

As I got out of the car, I felt so nervous that I had no idea where to put my hands. Suddenly, I realized that I should have bought a present and held it in my hands, so that I would be less embarrassed to be here.

There was a new car parked in the yard, and it didn’t have a license plate yet. I deduced that it was fresh from a store.

I didn’t know much about cars, but I could tell it was a nice car.

I had no idea what Derek’s father did for a living when he was young. I assumed he must have had a successful career. The only explanation for him being confident enough to look down on someone at the bottom of society like me was because he used to be a man of high standing.

Derek’s stepmother, Belinda Woods, left the room. The smile on her face was bigger than the last time we came here.

But I could sense that her smile was fake.

Derek must have noticed my nervousness and kept walking as he held my hand.

The warmth of his hand had the power to reassure me.

As soon as I entered the living room, I noticed Gifford, resting quietly on the couch.

Today he was wearing a light gray sweater. The soft texture of his clothes made him look less strict.

Another reason he didn’t look so strict was because he was smiling. There was a lady sitting across from him, talking and laughing with him. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company.

Maybe when they heard our footsteps, they stopped talking and gave us a glance at the same time.

I didn’t dare give a glance at Gifford’s face. Somehow, I felt like I was stepping on thin ice, and I felt extremely uncomfortable.

Fortunately, he wasn’t as cold as when he visited Derek’s villa that day. “Oh, you’re here, have a seat!” he said lightly.

Once I took a seat next to Derek, I looked at the lady sitting nearby.

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She looked younger than me. Her eyes and smile were full of vigor, something that could never be found in a woman who had just crawled out of a failed marriage like mine.

The woman was not particularly beautiful, but her face and demeanor made people feel comfortable around her. She had her legs crossed in a graceful pose, and the exposed part of her legs gave an incredible look.

Looking at her closely, she looked familiar. I searched my memory for where I might have seen her, but I couldn’t think of anything.

“Hey kid! Long time no see.”

She looked Derek over from head to toe, smiling at him.

“Hi, Charlene,” he replied.

Belinda pulled away, looking at Charlene reproachfully.

“Charlene, how could you address Derek like that? It’s rude. He’s older than you, so you should show him that respect.”

Charlene smiled disapprovingly, showing us her neat, white teeth.

“Mom, you’re older, so you probably don’t understand how young people like us get along. We’re not bound by so many rules. Besides, Derek isn’t much older than me.”

Was Charlene calling Belinda Mom, was she his daughter? Suddenly, I realized why Charlene looked familiar. She looked like Belinda somehow.

Gifford let out a loud laugh as he overheard their conversation.

“Charlene’s right. Leave the young ones alone, Belinda.”

With a bright smile, Charlene pulled a neatly packed box from her purse and handed it to Gifford.

“Happy birthday, Uncle Gifford. This is my gift to you. It may not be worth much, but it represents my best wishes to you. I hope you will accept it,” he said.

Hearing how he addressed Gifford, I figured it must be Belinda’s daughter with another man.

Despite their seemingly awkward relationship, it was a surprise that they got along so well.

At this point, I was the most embarrassed.

Today was Gifford’s birthday, but Derek hadn’t told me in advance, so I hadn’t prepared any gifts.

I looked at Derek. He was smoking on the couch and rarely spoke.

Judging by the look on his face, I knew today was his father’s birthday.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, he looked at me and understood how I felt just by looking into my eyes. Silently, he took my hand to comfort me.

Gifford already had a bad impression of me. And since I had come empty-handed on such an important day for him, he would probably hate me even more.

I could feel my face burning at that moment. I didn’t even need to look in the mirror to know that I must be flushed with embarrassment.

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