Without wasting any pleasantry, she directly asked him.
He turned around and saw us standing behind him. With a sheepish grin, he began scratching his head.
"Ah! Aunt… oh, sister-in-law, you're here too? Did you two go out for something?"
I had never seen someone so quick witted. The way he smoothly changed the topic was impressive. My mother-in-law, being simple in nature, didn't catch on to his tactic. At that time, even I hadn't realized how clever he actually was.
She replied, her tone noticeably softer than before. "Yes, but why are you here at James's house?"
"Sorry, Aunty, for showing up all of a sudden! I actually applied for a job here, and today was my interview. The company said they'll announce the results in a few weeks and want selected candidates to report immediately. So I thought it would be convenient to stay here for a few days. And, Yes, I've already spoken to James about it."
His explanation was so natural that anyone would've believed him. And we did.
"But Aunt, where were you coming from?" he asked casually, his expression shifting to curiosity.
My mother-in-law didn't answer right away. Instead, she held my hand and started walking toward the door.
"Let's go inside first. Sarah, give me the keys."
I took the keys out from my handbag, but instead of handing it over, I unlocked the door myself.
As we stepped in, she pulled me into my bedroom, leaving Kevin behind in the hallway.
"Sarah, you need some sleep. Everything will be alright. Just don't cry anymore and get some rest," she said softly. Then she stepped out and locked the door from the outside.
I couldn't sleep. Even though I wanted to, but I just couldn't. My mind was stuck on the images of my parents... at the hospital. I buried my face in the pillow and wept. Sometimes it was heavy breathing; other times, soft, muffled sobs.
Suddenly, I heard the faint voice of Kevin.
The wooden wall between the bedroom and the living room wasn't thick enough to completely block the voices.
"Aunt, what's going on? Why are you both acting like that?" Kevin asked. His voice was louder than usual.
"Sit down, and lower your voice," she replied.
"Your sister-in-law and I just returned from the hospital. Her parents… they passed away in a car accident."
"What?!" His voice was so loud, even a concrete wall wouldn't have been enough to block it.
Then, as if realizing his loudness, he lowered his voice. "What? How did that happen? Did the police find out anything about the accident?"
"They're still checking the traffic control CCTV footage. The initial report says a taxi was speeding and crossed their path. Sarah's mother tried to stop the car, but the brakes failed. They crashed into another vehicle. The airbags didn't deploy, and they took the full impact."
In the next second her voice changed, becoming heavier than before, "The police are also inspecting the car. Whether it was a maintenance issue or something pre-planned, we won't know until the report comes out. They're trying to track down the taxi driver, and there's a high chance he'll be caught soon."
Hearing all this made my tears flow again. My sobbing must have reached her ears, because my mother-in-law rushed back into the room.
"Sarah, my child, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hide the truth from you. I know it's hard for you. But if your parents were here, they wouldn't want to see you like this. Please, for their sake, try to be strong."
Her motherly embrace wrapped around me, and for a heartbeat, it felt like my own mother was holding me.
My tears halted, and the storm within me stilled.
She then took out her phone and made a call, but no one picked up.
"Where is that idiot? My daughter's eyes are swollen from crying, and that rascal won't even answer the phone."
When I saw she was trying to call James, I quickly stopped her.
"Mom, no. He won't answer... he's on a flight."
"On a flight? When? No, but why?" Her voice sharpened with each word.
She stared at me, clearly waiting for an explanation.
"Mom… he's out on office work. He won't be back for at least a month."
"For a month? Is he out of his mind? he should be here with you." She picked up her phone again and began typing something.
I gently took her phone away. "Mom, please. Don't disturb him. He's working on something really important. If he finds out now, he'll surely come back... I know he will. But that might cost him his job."
While speaking, I quietly erased the message she was about to send him.
She opened her mouth to say something, but I stopped her. "It's okay. I'll tell him myself but just not now."
"Hmmm… Kevin, come with me to the kitchen. Help me with few things," she said, turning away.
As they walked out, I noticed something strange, Kevin who had been standing there the entire time, quietly smiled. I didn't think much of it at the time and ignored.
Later, when my father-in-law came home, I came out to ask him about my parents.
As soon as he saw me, he hugged me gently.
"Sarah… I've arranged the funeral for your parents," he said, his hands trembling.
"The police have closed the case. Their report says it was an accident. The taxi driver wasn't aware of what he'd done. And your parents' car had a maintenance issue. Even the car company isn't being held liable." His voice was broken, pausing often.
I didn't say anything. I just turned and went back to my room, quietly closing the door behind me.