Chapter 448 The Last Night Of The Year
James had really been trying to gauge Rose’s feelings.
He was worried she might still be caught up in everything involving Ryan.
Rose looked up at him, her expression open and sincere.
“France? Is he going to oversee Knight Group’s operations there?”
During the first two years of their marriage, Ryan had been based in France for work.
So, returning there now probably had something to do with business as well.
“I’m not sure. He didn’t say anything.”
James hesitated.
“But from the way he put it, it sounds like he might not be coming back to the U.S. for quite a while.”
Rose blinked.
“He’s always so busy with work. What should I give him as a going-away gift?”
She opened the box of osmanthus cake and scooped up a small bite with a spoon.
Then she paused.
“Actually, we’re divorced. I probably don’t need to give him anything.”
Something about the casual way she said it made James feel strangely uncomfortable.
The truth was, both he and Rose knew what Ryan had done.
When it came to the Taylor family crisis—especially the way Victoria and Alicia had been dealt with—Ryan had played a significant role.
He had poured an astonishing amount of his own time, people, and resources into helping them.
James couldn’t pretend he hadn’t noticed.
Still...
“Maybe it’s only after he leaves that this whole mess between you two will truly be over.”
James’s voice softened.
“Completely over.”
With Ryan on the other side of the world, the chances of the two of them crossing paths again would be slim.
No meetings.
No awkward encounters.
No old feelings resurfacing.
Eventually, they might simply fade from each other’s lives, becoming nothing more than a distant memory.
Time would smooth over the edges of everything that had happened.
Neither of them would have to keep disturbing the other’s peace.
“I’ll explain it to Ariel when the time comes.”
Rose took another bite of cake.
James frowned.
“You really think Ariel will miss him?”
He gave a dismissive snort.
“If he’s gone, he’s gone. She’s still young. She’ll get used to it.”
Rose neither agreed nor disagreed.
Adults could sometimes part quietly, without explanations or ceremony.
Children were different.
Their world was simpler.
If someone important was suddenly leaving, they deserved to know why.
“Let’s not talk about him anymore.”
James poured her a glass of water.
Then his expression became more serious.
“There have been some problems with the Knight family lately.”
Rose looked at him.
“They’re under investigation, and nobody knows what the outcome will be yet. Knight Group’s stock has also been volatile.”
He shook his head.
“But there haven’t been any concrete rumors about what’s actually going on. No one seems to know what’s causing it.”
Rose’s fingers tightened slightly around her spoon.
“At a time like this, Ryan leaving the country...”
James frowned.
“I’m afraid whatever is happening with the Knight family may have something to do with him.”
“Maybe.”
Rose stared down at the cake.
The thought had already crossed her mind.
Otherwise, why would Ryan choose to leave so readily when his family was facing trouble?
James studied her expression.
“It’s maybe the last time.”
He paused, then asked again,
“Are you really not going to see him off?”
Rose’s appetite disappeared.
She put down the cake.
“No.”
“I’m not going.”
*****
Morgan’s condition continued to improve.
With the New Year approaching, Rose decided it was time to bring her home.
She also arranged for Gabriel to take a temporary leave from the nursing home so that the whole family could spend the holiday together.
It had been so many years since they had all been under the same roof that Rose had almost forgotten what it felt like.
After Morgan’s accident, her grandfather had been so devastated that his health had deteriorated. His mind had never fully cleared, and he spent most of his days confused and withdrawn.
Somehow, the years had passed anyway.
But this New Year was different.
For once, happiness outweighed everything else.
Rose threw herself into preparations.
She bought groceries and decorations, helped finalize the menu, coordinated everyone’s schedules, and kept herself so busy that she barely had time to think about anything unpleasant.
Most importantly, she hadn’t seen or spoken to Ryan during that time.
They were both busy.
Busy enough that it almost felt as though the other person no longer existed.
Then came New Year’s Eve.
Ariel was still asleep upstairs.
Rose sat with Morgan, going over the dinner menu.
Morgan’s health had improved significantly. Her expression was softer now, and there was much more life in her eyes.
She kept looking at Rose as though she could never quite get enough of seeing her.
“Mom just doesn’t want you to feel guilty.”
Morgan’s voice was gentle.
“I hate Derick, but Aunt Grace is different. She’s a wonderful person. She treated your mother better than she treated anyone else. She loved Sophia from the time she was a little girl.”
She paused.
“She hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Morgan had been worried that Rose might feel guilty toward the Taylor family because of what had happened with Derick.
Her anger had always been directed at him.
And James was Rose’s biological brother and Sophia’s son. That family connection couldn’t simply disappear.
Rose nodded.
“I understand.”
Only then did Morgan relax.
She had always worried that growing up without her mother and father might have left Rose more sensitive than she let on.
Rose didn’t tell her everything.
She didn’t tell her how she’d grown up or what she’d endured over the years.
She only said that she’d cut ties with Logan a long time ago and had been raised by Dr. Nathan.
Then Morgan suddenly asked, “What about Ryan? When is he coming?”
Rose’s hand paused.
She hadn’t told Morgan about the state of her marriage either.
Morgan had only recently awakened and knew almost nothing about what had happened.
As far as she knew, Ryan had been running around taking care of everything, arranging Morgan’s treatment, and even bringing in one of the best physical therapists in the country.
Naturally, she assumed the two of them were doing well.
“He... is probably busy.”
Rose lied without hesitation.
“Let’s not worry about him for now.”
She planned to tell Morgan eventually.
Just not yet.
Morgan had only recently woken up, and for the first time in years, she was happy.
If she suddenly learned that Rose’s marriage had fallen apart, she would probably be devastated.
Rose had enough headaches already.
Now she finally understood why people always shared good news first and saved the bad news for later.
“It’s New Year’s Eve and he’s still working?”
Morgan looked worried.
“He needs to take better care of himself. You can never earn enough money. Health matters more.”
“Okay, okay. I know.”
Rose answered with a practiced smile.
She returned her attention to the menu.
Cooking had never been her strength.
She could handle a few simple dishes, but she had never quite mastered the art of putting together a proper dinner.
She could certainly prepare medicinal meals.
A full New Year’s Eve feast, however?
That was better left to professionals.
During her marriage to Ryan, she had tried.
She had once genuinely believed that being a good wife meant learning how to cook, taking care of him, and perhaps winning his affection through small acts of domestic devotion.
Unfortunately, her efforts had not exactly produced the desired result.
She remembered one particular evening.
She had spent hours preparing dinner for Ryan.
When he came home, he had politely tasted the food.
Then he put down his cutlery.
“You’re clearly meant to live comfortably. It’s only natural that cooking isn’t your strong suit.”
At the time, Rose had been furious.
She had thought he could at least pretend to be nice.
Instead, Ryan had simply washed his hands, walked into the kitchen, and started cooking again.
He had made nothing complicated.
Just a simple bowl of shredded chicken noodles.
But somehow, it had tasted incredible.
Rose had stared at him in disbelief.
Ryan had raised an eyebrow.
“The natural talent in your hands is clearly in medicine. There’s no reason to waste it on things you’re not good at.”
Rose hadn’t known how to argue with that.
He was simply too good with his hands.
So eventually, she had stopped trying to prove herself in areas where she clearly wasn’t talented.
As Ryan had said, there was nothing wrong with being good at the things she actually excelled at—and enjoying a comfortable life when she could.
The memory faded.
Rose’s phone buzzed.
It was a message from Grace.
[Spend this New Year’s Eve with Morgan and Gabriel. The Taylor family wants to give you some private family time. We’ll all get together at the Taylor house on New Year’s Day.
Rose stared at the message for a moment.]
Warmth spread through her chest.
She replied, then returned to the preparations.
As evening approached, the food began arriving one dish at a time.
Outside, the city was glowing with holiday lights. Storefronts were decorated, homes were lit up, and the streets that were normally so busy had taken on a warm, festive atmosphere.
Rose was setting everything out when her phone began buzzing repeatedly.
Diana: [Happy New Year’s Eve! Hurry up and have little Ariel give me a kiss!]
Rose laughed.
Another message arrived.
Caleb: [Happy New Year’s Eve! We’re heading over to Dr. Nathan’s place later. I’ll give Ariel her New Year’s gift in person.]
Then came Charlotte’s message.
Charlotte: [It’s my first New Year’s Eve in the U.S., and honestly, it’s pretty boring. Fireworks aren’t allowed around here. Should I just come over for dinner?]
Rose smiled.
She was about to reply when another notification appeared.
Trevor: [I’m downstairs.]