Nathalia accepted the salad with a grateful smile and said, "Yes, mum. Thank you. Not too much spicy food. I remember you told me before."

Nate was even more speechless to see how sweet and gentle Nathalia was now as she spoke to Sue. What the hell is she? What a strange creature she is! She can be so cruel for one minute and so sweet the next!

​​

When dinner was finally over, Nate excused himself and left with a troubled stomach. Sue seemed to notice that he wasn't feeling well and walked him to the gate herself.

When she returned, she looked at Nathalia sternly, "Nathalia?"

Nathalia grinned and spoke first, "Mum, I didn't mean to, but he has been trying to get close to me, you see."

Shocked, Sue muttered, "Is he?"

Zoe gasped as well.

"Yes." Nathalia nodded assertively, "He's been behaving strangely, trying to get my attention. But I don't like him, and I don't want to see him. Spencer will be jealous if he knows." She was exaggerating a bit intentionally. Nate might not have the intention of seducing her, but she was certain that he wanted something from her.

She simply didn't want Sue to get involved. She couldn't trust Nate yet.

Sue wasn't completely convinced, but she recalled how Nate behaved and thought she'd better be cautious, and she cared about Spencer the most. "Hmm, but still, you shouldn't have treated him..."

Nathalia was annoyed that Nate seemed to be following her about and he had even come to their home. "Well, you have seen how stubborn he is. That's the only way to treat him, mum." She defended confidently.

"See how proud you are now..." Though Sue was a bit angry, she also found Nathalia amusing. She's too frank sometimes, and it might cause her to harm someday, being too direct. She was reasoning with Nathalia for a while, then noticed that Nathalia was lying down on the sofa, looking very still.

Worried, Sue patted Nathalia's arm and asked, "Nathalia? What's the matter?"

Nathalia looked up, had a yawn, and said weakly, "Sorry mum, I'm just feeling very tired. I haven't been sleeping much these days."

She got up, stumbled a bit, waved her hand, and said, "Good night, mum. I will come to visit another day. Thanks for having me for dinner."

"Where are you going?" Sue asked worriedly.

Nathalia had another yawn before answering, "I'm going home to sleep." I might just fall asleep in the car. She thought. She stumbled again and almost fell over.

Sue quickly went over and took her by her arm. "Why don't you stay here tonight?"

Zoe heaved a sigh of relief and came over to help. "Shall I take you upstairs, Mrs. Nathalia Davidson?" Zoe suggested gently.

On hearing so, Nathalia's face lit up. "I can stay here tonight? That's great. Aww, mum. Can we have breakfast together tomorrow morning? I miss having breakfast with you."

Sue tapped her head gently and said, "I thought you were sleepy. You have just eaten dinner, and you are already thinking about breakfast." And you are so skinny. This cheeky thing.

Nathalia grinned, "You know I'm a foodie, especially when I eat with mum. Ha-ha."

"Alright, alright. Go and get some sleep now." Sue nodded. "Zoe, take her upstairs, please. I don't want her falling over."

Zoe was more than happy to help, thinking this is wonderful. Finally, Mrs. Sue Davidson is compromising. This is a great step forward. I'm sure the family will be all together again.

Nathalia walked into her and Spencer's room and was pleased to see that everything was clean and tidy. Everything's here and the same. It feels so good to be back. She thought comfortingly.

"We clean the room every day, Mrs. Nathalia Davidson. I will get the beddings ready in just two minutes, and you will have a good sleep tonight." Zoe said gently.

"Thanks, Zoe." Nathalia sat down in the comfy armchair by the bed, picked up the photo on the dressing table, and smiled happily. It was a photo of her and Spencer taken on their wedding day in Las Vegas.

Zoe prepared the bed and said, good night. As she walked downstairs, Sue called for her. "Zoe, come in, please. I would like to talk to you." Zoe went into Sue's room.

Dressed in her pajamas, seated in bed, Sue looked a bit upset. Zoe knew that Sue had been hiding a lot of her feelings.

"Mrs. Sue Davidson, you've done the right thing," Zoe said boldly. She was the only one that would dare to speak to Sue this way. Zoe could see things better as an outsider, and she knew that Sue should know.

Sue heaved a sigh. She seemed relieved yet, at the same time, helpless.

"Let the past be," Zoe suggested. Life hasn't been easy on her, but fortunately, she has an excellent son.

Sue put her hand on her chest and said, "I can't here." She did know that it was better to let go, but she felt like there was a heavyweight on her heart that she couldn't get rid of.

"You would feel worse if you lost such a good daughter-in-law and even your own son."

Sue looked up at Zoe, knowing that she had spoken out her worry straight away.

She had never had the love from her husband, but she was grateful that she had her son, and he was the most important person to her. The Davidson men all seemed playboys, but when they met the one they loved, they were the most loyal.

"But I feel so unjust. Why do you stand on her side? You should be supportive of me instead."

Zoe smiled and said, "I am supporting you and helping you. You won't be happy if you cling on to the past. Don't you enjoy the company of Mr. Spencer Davidson and Mrs. Nathalia Davidson? Don't you feel happier when they are around?"

Before Nathalia moved out, it was so alive in the house, and Sue was smiling every day. Laughter and cheerful talks could be heard in the house. But as soon as Nathalia left, Sue pretty much locked herself in the room most of the time. Zoe couldn't even recall if Sue laughed once since Nathalia left.

Sue buried her face in her hands in dismay. "What should I do then? What should I do? How can I let go of the past?"

No one could really help her, and the pain and struggle were very personal. She knew she had to figure it out herself.

Zoe patted Sue's shoulder gently and said, "It will take time. Let it be and don't worry much about it."

When Sue calmed down, Zoe stood up to leave.

Sue asked a bit, impatiently, "What are you doing?"