The Wife Who Jumped on New Year's Eve

Chapter 35

Sean Yates brought Joanna Taylor back to Serenity Village, as if everything had returned to its origin.

This tranquil little village, like a hidden paradise, shielded them from the noise and chaos of the outside world.

The moment they stepped into the village, the children they had once taught immediately surrounded them, their eyes brimming with joy.

"Mr. Yates! Ms. Taylor! You're finally back!"

"Mr. Yates, will you leave again?"

Sean smiled and took Joanna's hand.

"Wherever Ms. Taylor is, I'll be there."

Sean had already spoken with the village chief and agreed to help share the teaching load with the newly hired teacher.

Joanna, meanwhile, would teach the children reading, writing, singing, and drawing.

In their free time, they strolled by the village creek or sat in the courtyard basking in the sun, savoring this simple yet profound happiness.

Gazing at the tree at the village entrance, Joanna suddenly thought of Grandma Wilson.

There had been a similar tree in her grandmother's courtyard—the only place where she had ever felt truly carefree.

Sean noticed her wistfulness.

"Joanna, take me to meet Grandma, will you?"

"I want her to see me. To know you're in good hands."

Joanna's eyes reddened instantly, her voice trembling.

"Okay. She would've loved you."

She led Sean back to the old courtyard, tears welling in her eyes.

Memories of her childhood, playing by Grandma's side, flashed before her.

Grandma Wilson had raised her alone, enduring hardships just to give her the best life possible. No matter how difficult things got, she had never let Joanna suffer.

When Joanna first started dating Ryan Bennett, Grandma had been uneasy.

"We're just ordinary folks. If he ever hurts our Joanna, what then?"

Back then, Joanna had trusted Ryan completely. She had hugged Grandma and cooed,

"Ryan will take care of me—and you too, Grandma. Don't worry."

But hearts change. If not for her, Grandma might still be here, waiting for her return.

"Grandma… I'm home."

Joanna's voice was soft, thick with emotion.

"I brought Sean to see you. He's… good."

The tree in the courtyard rustled gently, as if the kind old woman herself were responding.

Tears spilled down Joanna's cheeks.

"I keep telling myself to let go, but when I think of Grandma, I just can't."

"If I hadn't married Ryan, if I'd been there when the house collapsed… would she still be with me?"

"Every time I softened toward Ryan, it felt like a betrayal—to Grandma, to Lily."

"Maybe… the real mistake was mine."

Sean's heart ached for her. He pulled Joanna into his arms, his voice tender.

"Joanna, none of what happened was your fault."

"You were Grandma's pride. You're the mother Lily adores. You're good."

"And you have me now."

"Grandma would be so happy, seeing you like this."

"Joanna… you're back?"

Ryan's voice was thick with emotion—until he noticed Sean beside her. His tone turned icy.

"Mr. Yates. To what do we owe the honor?"

Sean gave him a cool glance, his arm tightening around Joanna.

"Joanna brought me to meet her family. We're getting married."

"Of course I'd want Grandma to see the kind of man who'll truly cherish her—not someone who'd hurt her over and over."

Rage flickered in Ryan's eyes—but the moment they landed on Joanna's disgusted expression, it died instantly.