\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 27 Tearful Morning\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett knew, deep down, that Sabrina had probably been the one helping Vanessa bathe lately-but she didn\u2019t bother calling that out. There was no point in picking a fight over it, not anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa, though, only grew angrier at Scarlett\u2019s cold indifference. She shot to her feet and shoved Scarlett hard in the arm. \u201cI don\u2019t want you to wash me! I\u2019ve got my own hands, okay? For the rest of my life, you can forget about ever helping me again-you already blew your chance!\u201d With that, she spun on her heel and stormed toward the bathroom, her little feet slamming gainst the floor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On the other end of the video call, Sabrina had heard every word. She hurried to soothe Vanessa, her voice soft and gentle. \u201cVanessa, come on, be good. You don\u2019t have to take a bath tonight. Tomorrow, when we get home, I will help you-nice and slow, just how you like.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa heard her, but only snorted, her tone short. \u201cYeah, whatever.\u201d Sabrina was nice, sure-but deep down, she knew Mom had always washed her more carefully, had always made sure the water was just the right temperature, had always hummed little songs while lathering her hair. But that Mom was gone now. Mom didn\u2019t love her anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent was a man, and he knew it wasn\u2019t right for him help Vanessa bathe. Vanessa, for her part, refused to ask the housekeeper either. So she just climbed into bed, yanked the covers up over her head, and squeezed her eyes shut-pretending she didn\u2019t feel the grime on her skin, pretending she didn\u2019t miss Mom\u2019s hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After hanging up the video call, Vincent stood up too. He glanced over at Scarlett, his expression unreadable, but didn\u2019t ask a single question-didn\u2019t ask why Vanessa was so upset, didn\u2019t ask why Scarlett wasn\u2019t trying to fix it. He just turned and headed to the bathroom to wash up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When he came out, the main lights in the room were of-only a soft wall lamp glowed in the corner. Scarlett was already on the couch, her eyes closed. Vincent slipped into bed next to Vanessa, but sleep wouldn\u2019t come. From across the room, he could hear Scarlett\u2019s steady, even breathing-calm, like she didn\u2019t have a care in the world. What on earth had happened to make her change so much? Once, she\u2019d been so desperate for his attention, so eager to keep the family together. Now, she acted like they were strangers. But after a minute, he shrugged the thought off. Maybe it didn\u2019t matter anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next morning, Scarlett woke up early-long before the sun was fully up. When she got out of bed, Vincent and Vanessa were still fast asleep, their faces relaxed. She didn\u2019t wake them; she just grabbed her bag and tiptoed downstairs to wash up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She wanted to do something nice for Xavier, a small act of filial piety. So she rolled up her sleeves and made oatmeal on the stove-creamy, with a hint of sweet potato, just how he liked it-and toasted some sandwiches with avocado and egg.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier was up early too, sitting in the living room reading the newspaper. When he saw Scarlett bustling around the stove, a proud smile tugged at his lips-but there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes, too. He hated seeing her work so hard, hated that the rest of the family didn\u2019t appreciate her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once breakfast was ready, Scarlett sat down and ate a quick bowl of oatmeal with him. Then she stood up, slinging her bag over her shoulder. \u201cGrandpa, I have to n to the hospital-work starts early. Next time I come back, I\u2019ll bring you those new marinated peanuts you liked from the shop downtown, okay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier listened, then nodded toward the stairs. \u201cAren\u2019t you gonna wait for Vincent and Vanessa? You\u2019ve never left this house alone before.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett\u2019s heart tightened, but she shook her head. \u201cNo, keys, afraid Xavier would try to convince her to stay, an\u00a0<\/p>\n
really in a rush. I can\u2019t be late.\u201d She grabbed her practically hurried out of the hall-her shoes\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
09:23 Wed, Jan\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 27 Tearful Morning\u00a0<\/p>\n
clicking against the floor as she went.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watching her disappear through the front door, Xavier hook his head and let out a heavy sigh. When it came to his grandson, he was powerless now. Once, he\u2019d been able to force Vincent to marry Scarlett, to keep the family together. But now? All he wanted was for them to be happy-and there was nothing he could do to make that happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent woke up early too, well before Vanessa needed to get ready for school. He didn\u2019t wake her; he just quietly got dressed. As he walked past the couch, he noticed the blanket was folded neatly, the pillow fluffed -like no one had slept there at all. He figured Scarlett must have gone downstairs to keep Xavier company, to make him breakfast or chat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When he went down, though, the kitchen was empty-avier was gone too. That only confirmed his guess -Scarlett was probably out with Xavier, doing something nice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A housekeeper spotted him and hurried over, wiping her hands on her apron. \u201cMr. Stewart, would you like some breakfast? Mrs. Stewart made oatmeal this morning-it\u2019s still warm.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent was in a rush to get to the office. He shook his head. \u201cNo, thanks. I\u2019ll grab something on the way.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the front door, he suddenly paused, remembering Vanessa. He turned back to the housekeeper. \u201cOh, and when Mrs. Stewart gets back, tell her to take Vanessa to kindergarten. I won\u2019t have time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The housekeeper had no idea Scarlett had already left-she just nodded, smiling. \u201cOf course. I\u2019ll let her\u00a0<\/p>\n
know.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After Vincent left, the housekeeper went back to the kitchen to wash the breakfast dishes. She was scrubbing a bowl when a loud, wailing cry echoed from upstairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The housekeeper froze, the bowl still in her hand. She didn\u2019t even bother taking off her apron-she just dried her hands on her clothes and raced up the stairs. The closer she got to the guest room, the louder Vanessa\u2019s sobs became. \u201cDaddy\u2026 Daddy!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
When she pushed open the bedroom door, Vanessa was sitting on the bed, her hair a wild mess, her face streaked with tears. She was pounding her fists against the blanket, her shoulders shaking, and her eyes were red and swollen-like a little orphan who\u2019d been left all alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The housekeeper rushed to her side, kneeling down. \u201cM. Stewart, what\u2019s wrong? Why are you crying?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing it was just the housekeeper, Vanessa cried even harder, her little body heaving. \u201cI want Daddy! I want Daddy to come back!\u201d She hit the bed even harder, kicking her legs and thrashing around like a toddler.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The housekeeper reached out to pick her up, trying to soothe her. \u201cMiss, your dad already left for work. He told your mom to take you to kindergarten. How about help you wash up first? We can braid your hair all pretty-just like you like it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa looked down at the housekeeper\u2019s hands-still little greasy from washing dishes-and shoved her away, her nose wrinkling in disgust. \u201cDon\u2019t touch me! Get your dirty hands off!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The housekeeper pulled her hands back, her heart aching for the little girl. She tried again, her voice soft and patient. \u201cOkay, okay-I won\u2019t touch you. But don\u2019t y, sweetie. When your mom comes back, she\u2019ll help you get ready, I promise.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa turned her face away, her voice full of resentment. \u201cI don\u2019t want her to help me. I hate her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The housekeeper sighed, helpless but determined. \u201cMis Mrs. Stewart went out with Mr. Xavier Stewart-\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
09:23 Wed, Jan 7 u uw\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 27 Tearful Morning\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\u0f0b 86%I\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
they\u2019ll be back soon. Let me help you wash up, okay? I\u2019ll be super careful, and we can put a bow in your hair. If we don\u2019t hurry, you\u2019ll be late for school.\u201d She kept her voice gentle, talking to Vanessa like she was a friend, coaxing her with little bribes and kind words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Send Gifts\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u3002\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.0K\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
09.23 Wed,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife: Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 27 \u00a0 Chapter 27 Tearful Morning\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 Scarlett knew, deep down, that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27391"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27391\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}