The following evening, Grace was in the yard with Austin, pushing him on the swing. Theirughter echoed in the yard.


    With a sidelong nce, Grace caught sight of Brian standing nearby.


    She wasn''t sure how long he had been standing there, looking slightly absent- minded.


    Grace looked at him, paused for a moment, and smiled lightly.


    She wanted to say something, but he had already walked towards the living room. Just as he took a couple of steps, a soft, childish voice sounded from behind.


    "Daddy! Come push me!" Austin said.


    Brian halted his steps, turned to look at Austin, and a gentle smile spread across his face.


    Grace stepped aside to make room for Brian. Austin was pushed so high on the swing that it seemed like she was about to fly off, giggling all the while.


    Watching them, Grace suddenly felt that a child really could not live without a father or a mother.


    it was not until Jaclyn came out to call them in for dinner did Grace snapped out of her reverie, and her gaze met Brian''s.


    He had fine beads of sweat on his forehead. Grace was about to reach out to wipe it when Brian averted his gaze, taking Austin''s hand as they walked into the living room.


    Grace looked at the tissue in her hand and silently put it back into her pocket.


    Grace could tell that Brian was giving her the silent treatment.


    Since that was the case, she thought it might be a good opportunity to calm down and reflect, as there were many issues between them that needed addressing.


    However, Grace didn''t have the chance to talk to him properly before something unexpected happened.


    *****


    That day, when Grace returned home, she found many people in the house, seemingly doing renovations and changing the decor to a traditional style. "Melvin, tidy up the room near the inner side of the first floor," Jasmine said. "Mom, what''s going on?" Grace asked, puzzled.


    "Your grandfather ising back," Jasmine replied, her tone light but tinged with a subtle annoyance.


    "Brian''s grandfather?" Grace said.


    "Yes." Jasmine''s brows furrowed. "He hasn''t been back for many years. You''ve never met him, and I don''t think Brian has ever mentioned him to you."


    Grace had indeed never heard Brian talk about his grandfather. She had assumed he was no longer alive.


    Jasmine continued, "Actually, Brian also has an uncle who has been doing business abroad. Initially, his grandfather favored his father the most, butter, his father became obsessed with that woman, which made his grandfather very angry.


    "In a fit of anger, he went abroad to follow his eldest son and have quite well. We all thought his grandfather


    would never return. But we didn''t expect that he would be back at this old age."


    Jasmine''s words carried a hint of impatience, suggesting that her rtionship with


    her husband was probably not very pleasant.


    "When is heing back?" Grace said.


    "He said he''ll be here the morning after tomorrow," Jasmine said.


    Grace nodded and asked, "What does he like?"


    Jasmine looked at her. "Are you nning to give him something? You don''t have to bother. He''s not easy to please. He''ll only like what he finds pleasing. No matter how hard you try, he won''t spare a nce if he doesn''t like it."


    Grace nodded and didn''t ask any further questions.


    But she couldn''t help thinking that as a junior, out of politeness, she should prepare a gift.


    Moreover, these past few days, she hade to realize that regardless of how long Brian''s feelings for her wouldst, Austin still needed aplete family.