Chapter 55: Chapter 55



With her meticulously manicured hands, Kiera used tongs to drop a sugar cube into her coffee and watched as the surface rippled as it dissolved. Nearby, Joelle’s mind wandered off. “Joelle, please have a taste. The coffee beans were flown in just this morning.”

Joelle tasted the brew and then set the cup on the table. “Is there something you want to talk about?”

Kiera crossed her legs and leaned back slightly. “You think I’m a poor excuse for a stepmother, don’t you?”

She examined her nails and continued, “They say being a stepmother is hard, and I can’t argue with that. At first, my intention was to treat Miley as if she were my own. But over time, I realized why I should try to fill the void left by her deceased mother. The role of a mother isn’t something just anyone can fill, don’t you think?”

Joelle nodded. She didn’t deny it but, at the same time, refrained from giving her opinion. Their relationship was strictly professional. She had no place to comment on her client’s family matters.

Kiera exhaled and continued, “Since I can’t fulfill Miley’s needs, I’ve decided to focus on fulfilling my own. Miley’s father isn’t interested in having more children, which works perfectly for me. I don’t want to have children either. I don’t need to work and only have to look after Miley. Whether or not Miley and I are close, I’ve learned to let go. It doesn’t trouble me anymore. I’m content with my life as it is. I’ve come to believe that a bit of selfishness doesn’t hurt anyone. What matters most is my happiness.”

She had never shared this with anyone else. Since Joelle was a receptive listener, Kiera’s words flowed freely. Before today, Joelle had thought that Kiera was reticent.

“What do you want to ask me?” Joelle asked.

Kiera paused and settled deeper into the sofa with a smile. “I want to know how Miley got injured on her face.”

Joelle wasn’t surprised. She had known Kiera’s indifference towards Miley was just an act.

Miley’s biological mother was strict, and Miley had consistently fallen short of her expectations. After a heated argument, her mother, overwhelmed by her emotions, had been rushed away in an ambulance and never returned.

Since that incident, Miley didn’t play the violin for a year. Then, one day, she suddenly decided to pick it up again. Joelle surmised that Miley must’ve felt she wasn’t good enough, which might explain why her mother never came back. Miley’s pursuits in violin and her enrollment in a prestigious music school were dreams her mother had imposed on her. As the stepmother, Kiera couldn’t undo the pain of the past. That was why she decided to let Miley follow her own path and feigned indifference to spare Miley any feelings of obligation.

galnovℯℓs․com keeps you updated Joelle could sense that Kiera did care about Miley. Had Kiera merely been manipulative, Miley’s father would never have chosen her. He loved Miley with all his heart and would have been careful in choosing a wife.

“Are you concerned about Miley, or are you worried about how her father would react when he gets back?”

After a brief thought, Kiera smiled. “Honestly, it’s a bit of both. As the stepmother, I’m aware our reputation isn’t the best.”

Joelle shared everything she knew with Kiera. When it came to children’s disputes, it was important for their guardians to be informed.

“Ultimately, it’s all because of the impact her mother has had on her,” Joelle explained.

Kiera took a sip of her coffee. “There’s nothing I can do about that. The deceased are held in high esteem, and I can’t just tell Miley that everything her mother taught her was wrong. Her mother occupies a sacred place in her heart. Nobody can speak ill of her.”

Joelle weighed her words carefully and responded, “Perhaps you could try a different approach, like letting Miley come to her own conclusions.”

At first, Kiera didn’t quite understand what Joelle meant. That evening, as the family of three gathered for dinner, Miley’s father noticed the injury on Miley’s face.

“What happened to your face?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Miley remained silent, her small face almost hidden behind her plate.

“Miley, I’m speaking to you,” her father insisted, more sternly this time.

Kiera quickly softened the mood with a chuckle. “Oh, let’s not worry too much. Kids get into scraps all the time. As long as she’s not badly hurt, it’s nothing to worry about. Didn’t you have your fair share of fights in school?”

Miley’s father’s expression eased, and he turned back to his daughter. “How are your violin lessons going? Are you enjoying them?”

Miley nodded, a small smile appearing.

“And how do the teacher’s lessons differ from your mother’s?” Miley pondered this seriously. “Joelle’s lessons are more relaxed and fun.”

“Does that mean your mother didn’t teach well?”

Miley fell silent again. Her father wanted to help her move forward. But no matter how he phrased his questions, she never responded.

Kiera suddenly realized what Joelle might have been suggesting. Perhaps only through comparison could Miley understand what was beneficial for her.

At this realization, she decided to test the waters. “Miley, would you be interested in learning how to dance with me?” Kiera used to be a professional dancer before getting married. However, a severe back injury ended her career, leading her to become a full-time housewife.

Miley didn’t dare to refuse. In her mind, she could hear her late mother’s voice asking, “Miley, shall we play the violin together? Miley, let’s work hard to get into the best music school. Miley, don’t disappoint me, or I won’t love you anymore.”

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