Home / The Man from the Highland / Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

All Chapters of The Man from the Highland: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

30 Chapters

Chapter 21

I didn't know how to respond, so I pretended I hadn't heard him. Then I turned toward the photo of my parents and said shyly, "He's finally learned how to joke around. That's a good thing..."My parents wore warm smiles in the picture, as if they were looking at me through the thin layer of glass. Somehow, that brought me a little comfort. My nose stung, and my eyes grew misty. At last, I managed a smile. "Dad, Mom, I'll be okay."The funeral went ahead as planned. I wore a long black dress with a small white flower pinned beside my temple.I'd thought I'd cried all the tears I had left, but standing there, surrounded by the quiet solemnity of the service, the weight of my loss settled over me once more.When the pastor began his eulogy, I couldn't hold back my tears.Charlie gently placed a hand on my shoulder, but for once, I didn't even think about pulling away.My parents had been by my side for so long that their presence had become part of who I was. Now, I was at my most vulner

Chapter 22

I couldn't help laughing as I pushed the diamond back toward Charlie.Charlie looked at me sadly. "Josie, I'm serious.""So am I, Charlie," I said. "But this diamond means nothing to me anymore. I really did love you once, which was why I treasured it so much. Back then, it meant even more to me than the gifts my parents left me. But now, it's just a piece of jewelry. I've truly moved on."Charlie stared at me in disbelief, as if he couldn't understand what I was saying. I took a quiet breath and looked at him. "Just let it go, Charlie."He still tried to chase after me and give me the diamond. I frowned and pushed it away. In the struggle, the diamond nearly slipped from our hands and hit the floor.I couldn't hold back anymore. "What difference does it make if you give me this diamond? Do you think I'll suddenly want to be with you again? Charlie, you're being so childish! Do you really think I'm still the same Josie who could be easily won over with a few sweet words and a little te

Chapter 23

Silas had arrived out of nowhere, and now he was leaving just as suddenly. Still, at least this was better than the sudden disappearance I'd imagined.I didn't want him to see my red eyes, so I awkwardly turned my head away and forced a smile. "All right. We should keep in touch, then. I'll visit Everpeak when I have time."But Silas replied, "We can't. I can't use a phone."His words dealt the final blow with brutal efficiency. He seemed completely unaware that I had only been looking for an excuse to hold on to him a little longer.I felt a little annoyed. "Fine, then. Let's not keep in touch."He looked at me in confusion, as if he couldn't understand why I'd suddenly become upset. In the end, he simply said softly, "Wait for me."I had no idea what he wanted me to wait for, so I gave a bitter little laugh.Just moments ago, I'd been wondering whether I should tell Silas how I felt. Then, in the next second, he'd dropped this shocking news on me. Even so, I stubbornly refused to sho

Chapter 24

When I woke up, I finally realized how ridiculous my dream had been. Silas and I hadn't even defined our relationship yet, but I'd already dreamed of marrying him.Still, it was the first time I'd dreamed of my parents since they passed away. A few tears remained on my cheeks, but I felt much lighter than before.I picked up the framed photo from my desk and gently traced the faces of the three of us with my fingers. "Dad, Mom, was that really you visiting me?"In my dream, they had held my hands and walked me toward the other end of the red carpet. It was a beautiful but unreal scene, yet it had fulfilled a wish I'd carried in my heart.I took a deep breath, got out of bed, and washed up. I still had a meeting with the Fentons today, so I couldn't keep drowning in my grief.When Charlie sent me the restaurant's location, I was already feeling annoyed. I replied bluntly. "If you don't want to discuss business today, we can reschedule."Charlie answered. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to inv

Chapter 25

I couldn't hide my situation from Charlie. His family must have known about it for a long time.But this contract proved that they were willing to share the risks that might come with changing the company's chairman.I didn't want to owe him such a huge favor.Charlie looked at me and spoke softly. "My parents didn't make this decision. It was mine alone."I froze, even stopping halfway through a bite.He took my plate and began cutting my steak for me. "Josie, you probably wouldn't believe me if I said I had no selfish reasons for doing this. The truth is, I do. But more than anything, I believe in you. You're strong and determined. You got great grades in college, and you've always done well at your job."He was actually praising me. I almost laughed at how strange it felt, but all I could manage was a helpless smile. "Thank you."If Charlie and I hadn't gone through so much heartbreak, we might have made a good team.Charlie smiled and tried to persuade me. "So just sign the contrac

Chapter 26

The weather in Crestmont was impossible to predict. The morning could be sunny, only for heavy rain to pour down by evening.I'd just returned from another city after catching a connecting flight. By the time I got into the car, I'd already gotten a little wet.The driver in the front seat asked, "Ms. Souza, where would you like to go?"I hesitated for a moment. I was exhausted, but in the end, I decided to meet Charlie.He'd invited me to dinner a week ago, but I'd turned him down again and again. Every time, he'd send me a picture of himself waiting at our agreed meeting spot, showing that the place in front of him was empty.This time, Charlie texted me. "You can turn me down as many times as you want. I'll keep asking you out, and I'll keep waiting here every time."His sincerity finally got to me, so I agreed to meet him. After looking at the usual picture he'd sent me, I replied. "I'll be there in ten minutes."He immediately sent me several question marks, then called me. I decl

Chapter 27

Silas was completely soaked from the rain.We hadn't seen each other in six months, and his hair had grown even longer. Drops of rain fell from the ends of his hair and landed on my cheeks.When I finally spoke, my voice came out hoarse. "What... What are you doing here?"He didn't answer. He just stared at me, but to my surprise, there was a hint of hurt in his eyes."You haven't replied to me in six months," Silas said.I froze for a moment and was about to pull out my phone to check when the housekeeper came over to open the door. She looked alarmed when she saw us standing outside, both drenched from head to toe. "Oh! Ms. Souza, why are you standing out here in the rain? Come inside, quick!"Only then did I realize how foolish I'd been. I'd actually stood there in the rain with Silas without even thinking about getting inside. Thankfully, it was summer, so I probably wouldn't catch a cold.I took Silas by the hand and led him inside. I didn't feel excited or startled. Instead, I fe

Chapter 28

Six months ago, Silas had told me that electronic devices weren't allowed inside the church. I'd been so angry that I'd blocked his phone number.Silas explained, "I made a promise to the pastor. After I fulfilled it, I was allowed to use my phone."Maybe because I'd been so busy, I rarely checked the messages from blocked numbers. That inbox was usually full of spam.But this time, my hands trembled as I opened it. To my shock, I found dozens of messages from Silas.He had no idea I'd blocked him out of anger. He'd simply assumed I didn't want to reply. So he'd kept sending me messages, most of them brief updates about what he'd done that day.Sometimes, he'd even sent me pictures of the scenery around him.The bright blue sky, fresh green grass, worshippers praying in front of the rebuilt church, flags fluttering in the wind.Every now and then, he'd send me pictures of the little lambs, too. In some of them, he had one hand resting on a lamb's head, as if he were trying to comfort i

Chapter 29

Silas nodded at Charlie, then suddenly turned to look at him more closely. He seemed concerned about something.I glanced at Silas in confusion before turning to Charlie. "What's wrong?"Charlie hesitated for a moment, then seemed to lose all his strength."Forget it. It's nothing."He forced a smile, but when he noticed Silas and me holding hands, his eyes grew red.I didn't understand what was going on, so I stared back at him in confusion. A moment later, he turned and walked downstairs.I muttered, "I don't know what's gotten into him this time, but let's not worry about it."Silas's expression remained grim. He looked at me and said, "Something isn't right with him.""What?" I asked, puzzled."He might be sick," Silas guessed.I found that strange. Silas wasn't a doctor, and no doctor would casually diagnose someone without examining them.Still, most things Silas said seemed to have a good reason behind them.When I remembered Charlie's pale face and how much weight he'd lost, I

Chapter 30

Charlie's reaction made it clear that Silas had guessed correctly.I froze for a moment, then grabbed Silas's arm. "How did you know? Is there any way you can help him?"Silas shook his head. "I know someone."That was how Silas always spoke. Charlie looked anxious, too, but he barely knew Silas and was reluctant to ask him for help.Watching them, I couldn't help feeling speechless. I asked on Charlie's behalf, "Who is it?"Silas didn't give me the man's name. Instead, he sent me a phone number, which I then forwarded to Charlie.Silas added, "You have to go to Everpeak. He won't leave that place."Charlie's hand stopped moving, and the excitement on his face faded a little. After a moment of silence, I turned to Silas and asked, "Does this person have some special way of treating the disease?"Silas gave me a puzzled look. "He's a doctor who settled in Everpeak."I immediately breathed a sigh of relief. But Charlie suddenly jumped to his feet and stared at me in shock. "I just sent t

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