---- Chapter 10 Jake felt a bit lost. "Did she leave? Where did she go?" Richard lowered his gaze and said, "She's gone abroad." Jake's eyebrows furrowed even more tightly as he snapped, "How could she think of going abroad at such a sorrowful time after Grandfather's passing?" Richard hesitated and was about to speak, but James called Richard away. "At least Eva stayed with Jacob until his death. And what about you? You're preoccupied with that troublesome woman. Jake, do you have the nerve to blame Eva?" "She's my..." Jake didn't finish his sentence. He suddenly remembered that she was no longer his wife. What position was he in to blame her? Jake's eyes were clouded with confusion. He remembered how much Jacob had loved him and said with deep sorrow, "I haven't been a good grandson. | will stay with Grandfather for the next seven days. But Eva has never traveled abroad alone. When will she come back?" James let out a cold laugh and offered no answer as he walked away. ---- Jake heard nothing of what he wanted. When he looked up again, he found himself alone. He suddenly thought of Eva. She had always been there for him, no matter the time or place. He shook the thoughts from his mind and thought that perhaps Jacob's passing away had made him so sentimental. After all, in every memory involving Jacob, there was always Eva. Jake's lips curled into a faint smile. The phone rang. It was Ryann. "Jake, | heard about Grandfather's passing. | want to mourn him, too." Jake pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Focus on your treatment these days. Don't get distracted. I'll go to see you after things are settled here." With that, he hung up and turned off his phone. He hadn't spent enough time with Jacob while he was alive, so he would dedicate himself solely to his beloved grandfather in the next few days. He thought that Eva would likely return soon. But even until Jacob's cremation, he hadn't seen Eva again. He furrowed his eyebrows again. "What exactly is Eva doing? Dad, Mom, are you just spoiling her like that? ---- Ellen hesitated for a while and said nothing. She and James went on a trip abroad to take a break. Jake wandered around the vast and quiet mansion and realized for the first time how large, empty, and silent it was. His anger simmered. He took out his phone and called Eva. He was about to ask why she hadn't returned to attend Jacob's funeral. Didn't she know how devastated his parents were? Shouldn't she be with them and comfort them at such a time? Everyone in the family had cared for her so dearly. But the phone went unanswered. He hung up and redialed her number repeatedly. His face darkened. Finally, Richard could no longer stand by. As the call was once again disconnected, he stepped forward quickly. "Jake, Eva..." The phone rang again. Jake answered and hurried out. He only turned and looked at Richard at the mansion's entrance. "If there's anything, send me messages." Richard had seen Ryann's name on Jake's phone and knew that Jake only cared about Ryann at that moment. Richard also understood that Eva had been deeply hurt by Jake. Richard gave up. What difference would it make if Jake knew that Eva had left the Stephens family? ---- He turned away and decided it was best to let things be and avoid further complications.