Quentin Sterling raised his hand and patted Miles Sterling on the shoulder, comforting him, "This child is ultimately soft-hearted, maybe she doesn’t hate you that much anymore."

Miles Sterling sighed and said, "She called me yesterday, but I guess it was you who asked her to contact me."

Quentin Sterling was silent for a moment and said, "If you really miss her, go see her. Even if you can’t be family or lovers, at least you can be ordinary friends."

Miles Sterling lowered his head without speaking.

Because impulses like this had appeared in his mind many times, but every time he was around Vanessa Sterling, he lacked the courage to disturb her again.

He felt he had already worked hard to learn to let go. At least now he can suppress his emotions and can accept or even hope that Vanessa finds her own happiness.

"Do you have a cigarette, Uncle?"

Quentin Sterling freed a hand to feel his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

Miles Sterling reached out to take them, and each lit one.

"I remember you didn’t smoke before."

Quentin Sterling smiled and said, "Once you pick it up, quitting seems hard."

"I heard from Dr. Jennings that you’re receiving treatment from her too?"

"Can’t really call it treatment. Just feel that she’s quite understanding about life, chatting with her makes the mind indeed feel much lighter."

Miles Sterling turned his head to Quentin Sterling and smiled, "I’ve understood a truth from her. People must learn to let go. You shouldn’t trap yourself in your last marriage either."

"That’s what she says too."

Miles Sterling joked, "I think you two are quite a match."

Quentin Sterling laughed, "Don’t joke around. The rain’s getting heavy, let’s head back."

...

Vanessa Sterling held a steaming cup of coffee, standing by the window, staring outside absentmindedly.

The whole scene seemed to stand still, leaving only the white steam rising from the cup.

The assistant gently pushed the door open, secretly smiled and took a photo with her phone, then tiptoed over to Vanessa Sterling.

Without a sound, she followed Vanessa Sterling’s gaze and teased, "Teacher Sterling, who are you missing?"

Vanessa Sterling hadn’t noticed when someone came beside her, startled, and coffee splashed onto her hand.

The assistant hurriedly handed over a tissue and then said, "Teacher Sterling, do you know what you just looked like?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Holding the tissue, Vanessa Sterling wiped the coffee stain from her hand while retorting, "I was just thinking about painting material, stop spouting nonsense."

"Hehe, I didn’t say anything, Teacher Sterling, why are you acting so guilty?"

Vanessa Sterling rolled her eyes irritably, turned to sit by the easel, and changed the topic, "Done with nothing again?"

"Just finished grading assignments, need to balance work and rest." The assistant said while pulling out the photo she just took, placing it in front of Vanessa Sterling, "Teacher Sterling, doesn’t this look like a bride waiting alone for her husband to return home?"

Vanessa Sterling actually leaned over to take a look. Once she saw it was her image in the photo, she raised her hand in shame and annoyance to pat the girl’s shoulder, "Stop spouting nonsense! I told you I was thinking of painting materials!"

The girl smiled slyly and put away her phone, saying, "Don’t be so excited, I just said it looked like that, didn’t say it was true. Hurry and paint, I’ll bring you afternoon tea later."

Vanessa Sterling shouted at the assistant girl’s departing figure, "Delete that photo for me!"

The girl pretended not to hear, and darted off, closing the door as she left.