Chapter 5 Going Home

After bidding farewell to each other, Jared and Josephine took taxies home themselves It’s been three years. It could be seen as long or short, but it was quite a significant period of time. His home, aside from some disorder, looked just as Jared remembered. At this time, Mom should be in the kitchen, humming a song and preparing dinner for the family. Jared stood in front of the house for a while, then gently knocked on the door. “Who is it?” When the door opened, a hunched-back old lady with a headful of white hair popped her head out. Reaching out one hand as if to feel something, she asked, “Who is it? Who's knocking on the door?” The old lady's eyes were closed shut. It could not be more obvious that she was blind. Jared was stunned the moment he saw her. His eyes widened in shock while his entire body trembled slightly. He could not believe that the old, wrinkled lady was his mother, Hannah Thompson. How did Mom end up in such a state in just three years' time? “Mom, it's me. Jared!” Jared called out emotionally as he stepped forward to support her. “Jared? Is it really you?” As Hannah used her hands to feel Jared's face, tears could not help but roll down her cheeks. “Mom, it's me. It's really me.” Tears were also welling up in Jared's eyes. “Mom, what happened to you?” Jared was baffled as to how his previously healthy mother turned out this way after just three short years. “Um, it's a long story. Come in first before we talk.” Hannah pulled Jared into the house. Seeing how empty their decrepit house was, Jared was shocked beyond belief. Although they were not rich, his father had a steady job. Therefore, they previously led a simple yet comfortable life. “Mom, what happened to our house?” Jared questioned in horror. Hannah let out a sigh. “After you left...” His mother then related everything to him. After Jared was sent to prison, the Scott family didn't look past the matter. Instead, they demanded a million in compensation. Left without a choice, Jared's parents sold the house they bought for his marriage and borrowed a lot of money. Even then, it was not enough. Finally, they had to pay the last three hundred thousand in installments. Thus, Jared's father lost his job and could only find work as a street cleaner. As for his mother, she cried all day long until she went blind. That was also the reason why his parents never visited him. While listening to his mother, Jared gradually clenched his fist as his eyes glowed with murderous intent. He had not expected the Scott family to show his family no mercy. “Mom, did Sandy not help you at all?” Jared asked in a puzzled tone. Sandy and I were about to be married. Furthermore, I was jailed defending her honor. Hence, there's no way she can sit idly by and watch my parents end up in this state, can she? Letting out a sigh, Hannah replied, “Let's not bring that up. Not only did the Gibson family ignore us, but they also didn't even return the betrothal gift when I asked for it back. They claimed it wasn't their fault that the wedding fell through because you went to prison. That's why they refused to return it.” “When your dad argued with them, he was even beaten for it.” The more Hannah talked about it, the more depressed she became. In the end, her tears just would not stop. “Did the Gibsons really do that?” Jared furrowed his eyebrows, as he could not believe Sandy would do something like that. Back when he was arrested, she even screamed in tears, saying that she would wait to marry him after he was released from prison. Why did it turn out this way? As a result, Jared decided to see Sandy to ask her about it. Suddenly, someone banged on their door heavily. The impact was so forceful that the door almost collapsed from it. The moment Hannah heard the knock, her face turned pale in terror. “Mom, who is it?” Jared asked curiously upon noticing his mother's reaction. “Don't get involved. Go to your room quickly and don't come out, no matter what!” After pushing him into his room, Hannah anxiously went to open the door. Just as she did, a bald man entered with a group of fierce-looking men whose bodies were covered with tattoos. “Have you prepared the money?” the bald man queried, glancing at Hannah. “Baldy, I have. It's here.” Hannah nodded repeatedly as she felt for a pouch in the corner. At that moment, many of the neighbors had crowded around. However, they kept their distance at the sight of Baldy. “These guys come asking for money every month. What a ruthless bunch!” “Exactly. Where is the rule of law?” “Shush, not so loud. They have been sent by the Scott family to collect money on schedule.” The neighbors hid by the side and criticized the men's actions. Unfortunately, no one dared to interfere.