Chapter 137 The Umbrella\u2019s Shadow\u00a0<\/p>\n
86\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
After a long, tense silence that seemed to stretch between them, Vincent finally broke eye contact. \u201cWhatever,\u201d he said dismissively, his tone making it clear the discussion was over.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With that, he turned and headed upstairs without another glance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett watched his retreating figure, her own voice cold and flat in response. \u201cFine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She waited a few moments, gathering her composure, before going upstairs to wake Vanessa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Vanessa was dressed and ready, mother and daughter came back downstairs together. Vincent was already there, fully dressed and waiting by the door, his posture rigid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Dad!\u201d Vanessa chirped cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to the tension between her parents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent gave a brief, almost imperceptible nod. Then his eyes shifted to Scarlett. \u201cIt\u2019s pouring outside,\u201d he stated. \u201cI\u2019ll drive you both.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett didn\u2019t look at him, focusing instead on helping Vanessa into her little yellow raincoat. \u201cNo need,\u201d she refused coolly. \u201cI\u2019ll drive us myself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent didn\u2019t press the matter further, though the line of his jaw tightened slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After securing Vanessa\u2019s raincoat, Scarlett took Vanessa\u2019s small hand and turned toward the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Vanessa tugged at her fingers pleadingly. \u201cMom, the rain\u2019s too heavy,\u201d she whined. \u201cCan you carry me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett looked down at Vanessa\u2019s expectant, upturned face and felt her resistance melt away. \u201cAlright,\u201d she relented.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She lifted Vanessa into her arms, then awkwardly tucked the umbrella under her chin while trying to maintain her grip. Just as she was about to step out into the downpour, Vincent suddenly reached over and took the umbrella handle from her. \u201cLet me hold it,\u201d he said simply.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In that moment, Scarlett\u2019s eyes stung with unshed tears, though she quickly blinked them away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Memories came flooding back-countless times she\u2019d had to manage everything completely alone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Children get\u00a0<\/p>\n
sick so easily. When Vanessa was younger and fell ill, and she couldn\u2019t reach Vincent, she\u2019d carry their daughter to the hospital by herself, no matter the hour or weather.\u00a0<\/p>\n
14:40 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 137 The Umbrella\u2019s Shadow\u00a0<\/p>\n
A 886\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
She\u2019d lost count of how many times she\u2019d made that anxious trip, sometimes in weather just like this, arriving at the emergency room completely drenched and exhausted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Back then, she\u2019d desperately wished Vincent would stand by her side, to hear him say, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, I\u2019m here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
But he was always too busy, always unreachable, always somewhere else when she needed him\u00a0<\/p>\n
most.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So, gradually, she learned to handle everything herself, building walls around her heart with each lonely journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But just now, Vincent had taken the umbrella from her and said he\u2019d hold it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All those long-held wishes had suddenly come true in this moment, yet all Scarlett felt was a fresh wave of pain-nothing else. The gesture felt too little, too late.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If only he had done this sooner, shown this small consideration years ago, perhaps she wouldn\u2019t have given up on him completely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As they stepped into the relentless rain, Vincent kept the umbrella carefully tilted toward Scarlett and the child in her arms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But she knew with painful certainty he wasn\u2019t doing it for her\u2014he was doing it for Vanessa, ensuring his daughter stayed dry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was fine, she told herself. At least he was good to their daughter. At least he cared about\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the gate, Scarlett settled Vanessa into the back seat of her car. As she leaned in to buckle the seatbelt, Vincent kept the umbrella positioned over her, shielding her from the worst of the downpour.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once the door was safely closed, Scarlett moved around to the driver\u2019s side.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She reached to close her door but noticed Vincent still standing there with the umbrella. She looked up at him, rainwater clinging to her lashes, and said quietly, \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s brow furrowed slightly at her words, as if her gratitude puzzled or annoyed him. He didn\u2019t respond verbally, but noticing Scarlett\u2019s shoulder was still damp, he shrugged off his own jacket and placed it on her lap. \u201cDon\u2019t catch a cold,\u201d he said, his voice low.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett was momentarily stunned by the gesture. She picked up the jacket, its fabric still warm from his body, about to return it, but Vincent was already walking away toward his own car, umbrella in hand, not giving her the chance to refuse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett didn\u2019t insist. The rain was still falling heavily, after all. She simply tossed the jacket onto\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
14:40 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 137 The Umbrella\u2019s Shadow\u00a0<\/p>\n
the passenger seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
As they pulled away from the curb, Scarlett asked Vanessa in the back, \u201cWhat would you like to eat later?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa replied eagerly, \u201cI want those pancakes from the shop near kindergarten! And a yogurt!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett nodded, checking the rearview mirror. \u201cAlright.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent sat in his own car, watching Scarlett\u2019s vehicle disappear into the gray, rainy distance before finally looking away and starting his own engine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
*****\u00a0<\/p>\n
That afternoon, Scarlett finished work at five thirty. By the time she navigated through the wet streets to the kindergarten, it was already six o\u2019clock.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The rain hadn\u2019t stopped all day, a steady, dreary downpour. When she arrived at the school gate, she saw Vanessa waiting outside with her teacher under the shelter of the entrance awning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa spotted Scarlett immediately, jumped up excitedly with her little backpack bouncing, and called out, \u201cMom!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett offered her a small, tight smile but didn\u2019t step forward to pick her up or open her arms for an embrace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Noticing Scarlett\u2019s hesitation, Vanessa began to walk out herself into the light rain, but Scarlett stopped her gently. \u201cVanessa, I\u2019m here to pick up Clara today. Could you wait a little longer? Lily will be here soon to take you back to Ravenshade Villa.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s face fell instantly, her bright expression collapsing. Her eyes welled with tears, shimmering with hurt and confusion. \u201cWhat about Dad?\u201d she asked, her voice small.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing Vanessa\u2019s eyes redden and her lower lip tremble, Scarlett felt a sharp, guilty pang in her chest. She quickly averted her gaze, unable to bear the sight, and explained softly, \u201cDad\u2019s working late tonight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tears began rolling down Vanessa\u2019s cheeks, mingling with the raindrops. \u201cCan\u2019t I go to Grandma\u2019s house with Clara?\u201d she asked, her voice trembling with the effort not to sob.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett still couldn\u2019t bring herself to look directly at her, forcing out the difficult words. \u201cNot today, sweetheart. You don\u2019t want to go; I don\u2019t want to force you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa clutched the straps of her backpack anxiously, her small knuckles white. \u201cBut Mom, I\u2026\u201d she began, her voice choked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
14:40 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 137 The Umbrella\u2019s Shadow\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, Clara\u2019s bright, clear voice rang out from behind Vanessa. \u201cAuntie!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
86\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clara ran up to the gate, her little rain boots splashing in puddles. Her face lit up with a radiant smile when she saw Scarlett. She turned to the teacher holding the umbrella and announced proudly, \u201cMs. Monroe, this is my aunt! She\u2019s picking me up today!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Clara turned to the other children standing under their umbrellas, declaring happily to anyone who would listen, \u201cThis is my aunt! She\u2019s a pediatric surgeon! She\u2019s amazing! I really, really like her!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.1K\u00a0<\/p>\n
W\u00a0<\/p>\n
14:40 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e41\u0e23\u00a0<\/p>\n
86\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 137 Chapter 137 The Umbrella\u2019s Shadow\u00a0 86\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 After a long, tense […]<\/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-27501","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\/27501","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=27501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27501\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}