Chapter 14- Shopping!
As soon as I stepped in, Rose came running to me, her little arms flinging around my legs.
“Mommy!” she squealed. “You’re back!”
I bent down and hugged her tightly. Tmissed you, Rose ”
She pulled back, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Guess what? We’re going shopping! Yay!”
I laughed. “Yes, we are. Go get ready, sweetheart.
I turned to one of the maids. “Please help her pick out something nice to wear
“Yes, ma’am,” the maid said, smiling.
Once Rose was upstairs, Cynthia appeared from the hallway, arms crossed, her face curious
“So?” she said. “How did it go at the lawyer’s office?”
I sighed and sat down. “Exactly how we expected, Elena showed up. She was furious.
Cynthia’s eyes widened. “She had the guts to come there?”
“She even came to my office after I said, shaking my head.
1
Cynthia fumed. “The nerve of them! But at least the company is safe now, right?”
I nodded. “It’s under my full control.”
“Good,” Cynthia said. “You deserve it”
There was a small pause, then Cynthia tilted her head. “Where’s your husband? Shouldn’t he be with you now?
I blinked. “No… he said he would come back on his own.
Cynthia frowned. “But… he’s not back yet?”
My stomach twisted a little. I hadn’t realized until now
“No,
he isn’t,” I said, suddenly worried. “Maybe he missed his way?“!
“Or maybe…” Cynthia hesitated. “Maybe he ran away.”
“What?” I stared at her.
She shrugged. “You barely know him, Olivia. You didn’t even exchange phone numbers.”
I swallowed hard. “It didn’t occur to me. I mean, where would he even go? He’s homeless.” Cynthia sighed. “Still, you should’ve thought about it. People aren’t always what they seem.”
Just then, Rose came skipping down the stairs, wearing a pink dress and white sandals. She overheard us. “Are you talking about Daddy?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Yes, sweetheart,” I said, forcing a smile. “Daddy isn’t home yet. I’m a little worried about him” Rose giggled. “Don’t worry, Mommy. I have his number!”
I blinked. “You do?“%
She nodded happily and pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her small purse.
“He gave it to me before he left! He said to call him if there’s an emergency.”
I quickly took the paper, my hands trembling a little.
I dialed the number?!
It rang once. Twice. Then-
“Hello?” a deep, smooth voice answered.
I froze. His voice. it didn’t sound like the rough, homeless man I had met earlier today. It sounded.. refined.
I cleared my throat. “Um. am I speaking to Chase?“)
There was a short pause. Then he chuckled softly. “Yes, you’re speaking to your husband”
My heart fluttered for reasons I couldn’t explain
“I was worried,” I said. “I came home and you weren’t here ”
“I’m sorry, Olivia,” Chase said warmly. “I went to do some work. Wanted to eam a little money. buy something nice for my wife and
I blinked, touched it
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said softly. “I have enough money. If you want to work, you can work at my company”
He laughed gently “You’d really let me?”
“Of course,” I said: “We’re family now”
“We are,” he said, his voice softer.
“We’re going shopping now I added. “You should join us
다
12:23 PM
“Of course,” I said. “We’re family now”
“We are,” he said, his voice softer
“We’re going shopping now, I added. “You should join us.”
“I’m on my way,” he said quickly. “See you soon“>
When I ended the call, I saw Cynthia smiling at me.
“Well,” she said, “maybe you didn’t pick bad people after all,0
I smiled too. Maybe… just maybe this wasn’t a terrible mistake.
Rose twirled around happily. “Daddy is so nice! I’m happy to be your daughter!” Cynthia patted her head. “And we’re happy to have you, little one.”
We headed out together.
The mall was bright and colorful, filled with happy chatter and music.
Rose couldn’t contain her excitement. She ran ahead of us, laughing:
“Be careful, Rosel” I called out.
She turned back and waved at me. “Okay, Mommy!”
I bought her a big cone of strawberry ice cream. She licked it and squealed, “It’s so good!“?
She spun around in joy, her dress flying.
I watched her, my heart swelling. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a family!
But then-
Rose bumped into a woman, her ice cream smearing all over the woman’s fancy white dress.
The woman shrieked.
Rose stumbled backward and fell hard on the floor, her ice cream splattering everywhere.
