A kiss

Although Melinda had been working hard over the years, her world felt isolated and almost out of touch with society. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

It wasn’t until Andrew called that Madelyn reluctantly got up.

She leaned over and gently patted Serena’s head, saying to Melinda, “If she misses me, just call me.”

“Since you’re busy with work, just drop by on the weekends when you can,” Melinda replied.

It dawned on her how tough Madelyn’s life must be in the elite circle, especially since she had to work so hard.

Thinking about her fledgling studio and the upcoming tasks, Madelyn nodded.

“Alright. I’ll visit her on the weekends.”

Madelyn exchanged a few more pleasantries with Melinda and was about to leave when Serena woke up. She rubbed her eyes with her small fists.

She softly called out, “Mommy.”

Both Madelyn and Melinda turned around. Melinda instinctively wanted to reach for Madelyn but noticed Serena was looking at Madelyn.

Madelyn’s heart melted. She stepped forward and hugged Serena,

“Sweetheart, I have to go. Be a good girl and listen to your Mommy, okay?”

Seeing the disappointment in Melinda’s eyes, Madelyn tried to redirect Serena’s attention back to her. It was clear from her words how much Melinda had sacrificed for Serena.

Understanding Madelyn’s intention, Melinda approached and said, “She’s really attached to you. She wouldn’t address anyone before, not even her aunt.”

“Really?”

Madelyn was surprised. Then, she remembered what the nurse had said earlier about Serena calling everyone she saw “Mommy“.

Melinda nodded.

“She’s quite hard to please. No amount of coaxing can get her to talk to anyone when she’s upset. But the first time she saw you, she called you Mommy.”

Madelyn’s heart melted even more, and she hugged Serena tightly.

Melinda, on the other hand, didn’t mind. She hoped Serena would become more cheerful and confident. When she was raising Serena alone, she had to work so much that she hardly spent time with her. With Madelyn around, Serena’s personality had noticeably brightened.

“Mommy, can’t you stay?” Serena pleaded softly.

She grabbed Madelyn’s clothes with a tearful look.

Madelyn held her petite hand, saying, “Sweetheart…”

Okay, Mommy. You can go, I’ll be good. Come visit me when you can,” Serena sald.

Madelyn felt a dull ache in her heart. She had caught a glimpse of the fear in Serena’s eyes–a worry that she might be a nuisance or, worse, forgotten.

She hugged Serena and promised, “I’ll come see you every day. I promise, okay?”

“Really?”

“Of course. Let’s make a pinky promise,” Madelyn coaxed gently.

Serena extended her finger and flashed a seemingly threatening look on her face.

Madelyn linked her pinky with Serena’s and said, “Tell me, what do you want to eat for breakfast tomorrow? I’ll bring it to you.”

“I want eggs, pancakes, and…”

Serena listed a bunch of things.

Madelyn poked her tummy and said, “That’s a lot. Are you sure you can eat all that?”

“Mommy will eat with me.”

As Serena finished speaking, she turned to grab Melinda’s hand.

Melinda’s eyes softened, and Madelyn smiled, touched by how considerate Serena was–proof of Melinda’s good parenting.

22

Madelyn had to leave after Andrew called for the second time. As she approached the car, she noticed Roger behind the wheel.

She paused and looked closely. It was indeed Andrew’s car.

Seeing her look at him suspiciously, Roger complained, “Andrew is in the back. What? You wouldn’t get in if it weren’t his car?”

“That’s right!”

Madelyn nodded, then reached for the back door.

Roger smirked and teased, “Why didn’t you ever keep a lookout for Easton like this? If you’d been this cautious before, you and Andrew might already have kids running around.”

Easton and kids–Roger’s words hit both of Madelyn’s sore spots. She climbed into the car after suppressing the urge to kick him out of the car.

Chapée 191