Chapter 204: Chapter 204

Hearing Gabriel’s apology, Shelby’s anxiety calmed down. Gabriel was a very intelligent child and his words never fumbled up unless he had done something that he considered really bad. So, when she heard ’soowwy’ instead of ’sorry’, she knew that Gabriel was just feeling guilty and flustered. She rubbed his back fondly while on her knees in front of him.

Shelby only vaguely heard the name Avril and was not paying much attention to it. The only thing that struck her as odd was that, from all of her time in the Thornston household, this was the second female name she had heard apart from Aliya.

Shelby casually glanced up and then guided Gabriel to his seat after making sure that he was okay.

The broken particles had already been cleared. With Ian around, the workers dared not react like they had done in the past. Keeping their heads low, they cleaned up really quickly, and those in charge of setting the table went along as if nothing had happened.

Ian casually looked at his father but never answered the question, even though it had been directed at him. Gabriel was overly quiet, most likely from the mess he had caused. Most children would react that way when they felt guilty about something.

The atmosphere at the table became a little awkward. Alex sighed and turned to his coffee as he leafed through the day’s newspaper. He did not bother with his son, about the topic again because Alex knew his son.

"Is she due back already?" Geneva asked indifferently.

This was what drew Shelby’s attention. Notwithstanding Geneva’s indifference, she had still asked about this person, which struck Shelby as abnormal. Shelby knew that Geneva was not one to take an interest in anyone at all.

She looked at Ian, wondering who this new person was. She did not even have time to ask when a visitor suddenly came in. The person was not announced by any of the workers, nor had permission been sought from Alex, Geneva or Ian before the person rushed in. This confirmed one of two things: The person was either family or close enough to be considered one.

"Sweet Mum, I’m back!!!!!" a pleasant female voice said, and the pitter-patter of feet echoed just as a young woman appeared in the dining room. She walked up to Geneva, bent at the waist, threw her arms around the older woman’s shoulders, and hugged her tight.

Shelby was taken aback at the sight. It was weird to see someone so enthusiastic with Geneva.

Shelby paused with a cup mid-way to her mouth as she stared in surprise.

’Who was this person?’ Shelby asked herself, taking in the new arrival’s features. Only two words could describe this person: Elegant and sophisticated.

Geneva pushed the woman back a little forcefully, but one could see that she was not hostile at all when she did that. Geneva just loved her personal space unless the one touching her was her husband; everyone else was disregarded.

Shelby did not know that simple skinny jeans and a flannel shirt could look that sophisticated. The woman stood tall. Her long hair was held high on top of her head in a ponytail that brushed her back. She was slim and had a level of maturity about her as well. Shelby took all this in and then finally set her teacup down.

Contrary to what Shelby felt might happen, the new person did not even flinch when Geneva pushed her away; rather, she smiled brightly.

"Mum! Have you not missed me?" The new person slightly pouted, like a girl who had been raised spoilt and pampered from childhood.

Geneva turned sideways from her seat to look at her,

"You’re here?" That was all she said. Geneva then turned back to battering her toast as if the person was not there.

This was strange. Shelby cringed inwardly on the person’s behalf.

Inside, Geneva sighed as she felt a headache budding up. She concentrated on her toast while her thoughts ran wild on this new person.

’Wasn’t she supposed to be abroad for a few more years? Why is she here now? Maybe it’s for the better that she is.’

Geneva sighed and then added, "Make yourself at home!"

"Yes, mum! Anyway! I miss you enough for the both of us, so that is okay!" The woman smiled brightly and then turned to Alex, "How is my favourite Daddy doing?"

Alex smiled brightly at her. He set the paper he was reading down and then gave his full attention to the girl, "Avril! We were just talking about you. You brat! How could you come without telling us in advance? We could have had someone pick you up at the airport!"

".... and ruin the surprise?" Avril chuckled, rolling her eyes and then leaned in fondly for a side hug with Alex.

"How was your journey? Was it okay?"

"You worry too much, Daddy. It was a breeze!"

Shelby was truly puzzled at what was going on.

’I didn’t know Ian had a sister.’ She thought, taking in the scene in full thought.

’I don’t!’ Ian’s brusque voice sounded in her head.

Shelby had almost forgotten that Ian could hear her thoughts.

Shelby looked at Ian in surprise. ’She is not your sister?’ She thought of her question again, as the last thing she wanted to do was say it out loud.

Ian shook his head, holding her gaze. Shelby bit her lips, knowing that where they were was not the right place to ask all the questions that were bubbling inside.

Shelby lowered her head and took a sip of her green tea. Just then, she felt a small tug on her dress and turned to see Gabriel beckoning to her.

Shelby raised an eyebrow.

’Is Gabriel still thinking about the vase from earlier?’ She sighed and then lowered her ear to his level.

"What is it, Gabriel?" Shelby whispered amid the excited chatter of the new girl and her father-in-law. She did not want to disturb them or draw their attention to herself.

"I don’t like her," Gabriel whispered in Shelby’s ear, causing Shelby to move back in surprise.

"Why would you say that?" She whispered back. This was the first time that Shelby had heard such negative words from Gabriel about anyone. The new woman had hardly said a word to any of them apart from Geneva and Alex. Shelby wondered what would make Gabriel say that.

Gabriel did not answer the question but glared childishly at the woman leaning close to Alex and talking excitedly with him.

’If she isn’t their sister, then who is she?’ Shelby wondered.

She rubbed Gabriel’s hair fondly, not sure of what to say to the boy, she just whispered,

"It’s going to be okay...." She said this a bit awkwardly and then turned back to her meal.

Shelby had lots of questions, but she never expected the new woman, Avril, to head to her husband next.

The woman’s eyes shone bright with enthusiasm, and she had a fresh outlook that was different from all the people around them. The combination of the well-kept, mature figure made Shelby feel like the little girl that Ian had referred to her as. Shelby had never felt threatened by any woman in terms of looks.

Shelby was not sure why she felt that way. It was just a brief thought that was taking root in her mind. Maybe this was because she had never needed to and had no man at her side. However, she could not help it when her mind started running in circles with this new person.

The woman had not so much as cast a glance at Ian, but Shelby could not help it. Her husband was the best of the best, so if a woman who seemingly had no relation came in and was being all so cozy with his parents, then she felt as if she should be concerned.

Even though at the back of her mind, Shelby knew that Ian would never betray her in any way. Like a woman’s intuition, the next scene unravelled itself right before her eyes.

"Brother Ian! OMG! It’s you in person! I missed you so much!"

Avril walked along the length of the dining table and leaned towards Ian with the same enthusiasm. Ian cast her a cold look, but that did not stop her. Avril stole a brief hug and jumped back mischievously, laughter coating her frame.

Shelby’s eyes bulged. However, that was when she kind of understood her own intuition, if Shelby could call it one.

"Brother Ian, how have you been? You-" The woman stopped short as if noticing Shelby for the first time.

This was ridiculous because Shelby dominated any room she got in. There was no way anyone would enter a room and miss Shelby... except they were blind.

Shelby dripped with sauciness, sexiness, outworldly beauty and all others that had even been enhanced after consummating her marriage with Ian. Shelby should have been the first person this new person saw when she entered, so no one in the room bought Avril’s slight surprise as if she was now seeing Shelby for the first time.

"Is this my new sister? I was surprised at the news! Brother did not waste any time at all. I thought you would grieve sister Aliya for a little while longer, but you got married so soon after she left-"

She clamped her hand on her mouth,

"Oops!" She smiled sheepishly as if she had mistaken the words that had been spoken.

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