Previously: Letting go of it wasn't easy, even if it meant passing it on to his daughter. But Ellie wasn't even his real daughter.
Ellie didn't want to dwell on her thoughts any longer, so she finally knocked on the door, even though she could still hear her parents arguing inside.
From inside, her mother's voice broke through the conversation.
"Shut up, Tjhan. I think Ellie's here."
Silence followed. Then, the door opened, revealing Chen, Ellie's mother, who greeted her with a warm smile and pulled her into a tight embrace. Ellie could feel how much her mother had missed her over the years.
"Ellie, come in. Have you eaten yet? Let's have breakfast together with your dad. I made something you like," Chen said, ushering her inside.
Ellie smiled, though she was carefully masking her emotions. She didn't want to acknowledge the conversation she had overheard.
"Yes, Mom. I've missed your cooking. And I'm really hungry," she replied, following her mother to the dining table.
Tjhan, her father, was already seated, waiting for them. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension. Ellie had never been as close to her father as she was to her mother. Their relationship had always felt distant, and the air between them now was no different.
The dining table was large, with five chairs, but only three were occupied. Despite the welcoming spread of food Chen had prepared, the silence in the room was heavy.
Tjhan finally spoke.
"How's work in London? Were you too busy to visit your mother?"
Before Ellie could respond, Chen interjected, "I'm fine, Ellie. Don't worry about what your father says."
Ellie placed her utensils down and met her father's gaze. "I've decided to move back to Exeter."
Tjhan's eyes widened in surprise. "Did your mother put you up to this?" His voice grew louder as he turned to Chen. "I already told you—"
Ellie cut him off. "Don't blame Mom. This was my decision. You should retire and rest."
Chen quickly supported Ellie's words. "She's right, Tjhan. Let's stop worrying about the restaurant. Ellie can take over."
Tjhan's jaw tightened. "I can still work. You should go back to London."
Ellie clenched her fists. "How can I go back? I've already moved all my things to Exeter. I even quit my job in London."
Both Chen and Tjhan stared at her in shock.
"You already quit?" Chen asked softly.
"Yes, Mom. I've moved," Ellie confirmed.
Chen's expression fell. "Then why aren't you staying at home? Where are you living now?"
Ellie knew her mother was disappointed. It must have sounded strange to her—why Ellie, after returning to their city, still chose not to live with them.
"I rented a house near the restaurant," Ellie admitted, her voice uncertain but steady.
Tjhan, who had been holding back his emotions, remained silent. It was clear that hearing Ellie had already quit her job and moved back left him with no room to argue.
Chen finally sighed. "Alright. Don't worry. U can live wherever you want, just make sure if u want to back to house just let know mom and dad"
The rest of the meal was eaten in near silence.
As the sun began to set, Ellie stood up. "Mom, I should get going. I still need to buy a few things for my new place."
Chen nodded. "Alright. But make sure to come back and have meals with us sometimes. And don't worry about your father—I'll handle the restaurant discussion with him."
"Okay, Mom. I'll see you later," Ellie replied before heading out.
Before returning home, she stopped by the nearest supermarket to buy a few household essentials