Chapter 433
âYep.â
Edith nodded, her gaze fixed on the screen in front of her. âMy friend bumped into Bella at a party a while back, got lucky, and snagged her on Instagram. She mentioned that Bella posted something last year, something about a blessing from above?â
âWhat kind of post?â
Gregory furrowed his brows, sending a picture over, âAsk your friend if the girl in this picture is the one with Bella.â
âWill do.â
Edith quickly forwarded the picture to her friend, feeling somewhat puzzled herself. âWhatâs so surprising about a daughter in her twenties anyway? Was she living with her dad all this time?â
âDig around for more info.â
Gregoryâs fingers tapped rhythmically on his desk, a sense of intuition nagging at him.
This had something to do with him or Jane, somehow.
Two years ago, she was impersonating someone in the Myers family, and now sheâs Bellaâs daughter?
Something was off.
Maybe it was time to have a chat with Bella.
Soon enough, Edithâs friend, fresh off her latest stage gig, replied, confirming the girl in the photo was indeed the one from Bellaâs Instagram.
âJane!â
Lost in thought on the couch, I was brought back to reality by Ikeâs soft voice, his head peeking around the corner, a bashful look on his face. âUh, I forgot I donât have any clothes on.â
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âDonât worry, Iâll get them for you.â
Used to his way of addressing me, I lazily went to find a shirt for him. âWear this for now, and weâll shop for more clothes soon, okay?â
Gregory looked as if heâd swallowed a lemon when I went down to fetch the clothes.
Now, with online shopping, everything was a breeze.
âOkay!â
Ike nodded eagerly, his action revealing the soap suds still clinging to his hair.
I couldnât help but laugh, halting his attempt to dress. âHold on, letâs rinse off
those suds first.â
After a bit more fussing, I wrapped him in a clean towel and carried him back to the living room, placing him on the sofa.
As I dried him off, he cooperated fully with putting on his clothes, suddenly tiptoeing to plant a gentle kiss on my cheek.
âJane, why are you hurt?â
He touched the spot gently, concern in his eyes.
My heart melted a bit, but I shook my head, reassuring him, âItâs just a small accident, it doesnât hurt anymore.â
It hurt like hell.
Gregory, when he loved, he loved for real. But when he decided to teach you a lesson, he didnât hold back.
This injury wouldnât heal in a few days.
Looks like I wonât be seeing anyone for a while.
Ike, not quite buying it, teared up, âLiar! It looks very painful, boo hoo, Uncleâs a meanie!â
â?â
I was taken aback. He was supposed to be bathing; how did he know Gregory caused this? âWhy would you call Uncle a meanie?â
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Then I saw him wiping away his tears, indignantly saying, âMommy said, if a girl is hurt, itâs always a boyâs fault!â
I couldnât help but burst into laughter.
What on earth had Edith taught this kid?
But, these lessons were all aimed at molding Ike into a gentleman.
It was clear she had her share of grievances in her last marriage.
âItâs not always the case.â
I smiled, grabbing my phone, and squeezed Ikeâs cheeks affectionately, pulling him into a hug. âLetâs pick out some clothes now! And if thereâs anything else you want, weâll get that too.â
âYay!â
Kids bounce back fast. The moment his attention shifted, he was up and dancing again, even including Snowy, âSnowy too!â
âArf!â
Snowy barked softly in agreement.
Two days later, Christine stormed into Vista Town, knocking on my door with three suitcases in tow. âLook at that, made it here in record time, didnât I?â
âSuper fast.â
I grinned, helping her with the suitcases. âGot everything?â
The dress for Bella was already designed.
It was time to start cutting.
Christine was coming over to discuss a popâup store in Vista Town, so I had her bring over the fabrics too.
âAll set.â
Dropping her suitcases, Christine kicked off her heels. âIâm dying in this heat, fetch me an iced coconut water, will ya?â
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âRight away!â
Before I could even move, Ike scurried to the fridge, standing on tiptoes to
reach.
He couldnât quite make it.
Christine raised an eyebrow, âThis the nephew Gregâs been talking about?â
I talked to her every day; she was in the loop.
âIsnât he adorable?â
I fetched the coconut water, handing it to Ike, who then ran it over to Christine with the biggest smile. âFor you, my lady!â
Christine was charmed, âHow sweet. You sure know how to make someoneâs
day.â
âHehe, Aunt Jane says Iâm a charmer!â
Ike had quickly become everyoneâs favorite, with his sweet, polite, and lively demeanor.
Christine, amused, glanced at me, teasing, âAunt Jane, huh? When did you sneakily become Gregoryâs wife?â
âHeâs joking,â I chuckled, eager to check the fabrics in the largest suitcase. Confirming their quality, I moved them to my workspace.
Then Christine called out from the living room, âJane, your phoneâs ringing. Itâs Ms. Taylor.â
âOn it.â
I hurried back, picking up the call. âHey, Ms. Taylor, made it to Vista Town?â