---- Chapter 9 Karl fumbled for the right words. "Anyway, it's not your fault." He grabbed my hand and looked at me seriously. "I'm sorry for your suffering. I've been waiting for you to come back." His sincerity touched me, and my nose started to tingle. If [hadn't met Jeff and gotten support from the Hall family, I would have been with Karl now. But I'd been through too much. I didn't want to hurt Karl. "I'm sorry. I can't accept that." Karl lowered his head. "It's okay. You'll see my sincerity." Suddenly, a cold voice cut through. "What are you doing there?" I looked up and saw Jeff standing there with a dark expression. His air was out of place in the mountain ---- village. Gina stood next to him, her face pale from the mountain trek. "Mom, we finally found you," she cried, running toward me. Before I could react, Karl stepped in front of me." Who are you? What do you want with Gigi?" "Gigi?" Jeff muttered, scoffing, "What a bumpkin! Ingrid is such a beautiful name, and you call her something so rural." My face flushed with embarrassment, and I shot back, "Tf you look down on us country folks, why bother showing up?" Jeff's confidence faltered, and he quickly explained, " That's not what I meant." He had a habit of belittling others, but in his mind, I was special. He didn't think about it before insulting me, too. His eyes dimmed, and his voice trembled. 'We miss ---- you. "Mom, we miss you so much," Gina echoed, pushing past Karl. "Why did you come to a place like this?" I stepped back. "This is your grandparents' house." She looked confused, and I felt a twinge of sadness. She had never met my parents. I'd worked so hard for all these years, but for what? "This is my home," I added. Gina nodded slowly. "Your home is mine too." Jeff echoed, "It's our home." I turned to look at him. "I've already sent you the divorce agreement." Jeff's face went pale, but his selfishness drove him to deny it. "I didn't receive anything. It doesn't count." "T'll send you another copy," I said, turning away. " You can leave now." "Ingrid!" ---- "Mom!" I went inside the house without looking back. I was afraid my emotions would get the best of me and I'd start crying. Karl blocked them. "You heard Gigi. She doesn't want to see you." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!