Lillian was still in the dressing room, debating what to wear, when a little figure slipped in.
Jasmine, in her tiny shorts, looked up at her with a grin. “I want to match Mommy!”
Lillian glanced at the dress she had chosen, and Jasmine held an identical one.
“Daddy buys us matching outfits every year! He said Mommy would come back someday to wear them with me. Mommy, can we wear the yellow one?”
Lillian smiled. “Should Mommy help Jasmine put it on?”
“Yay!”
Melissa, waiting outside, blinked back tears several times before pulling out her camera. She was determined to capture the moment when they stepped out.
Soon, Lillian emerged with Jasmine in her arms.
They were like two versions of the same person, one large and one small.
“If you ask me, that brand should hire you two for a photoshoot right away. They’d be idiots not to,” Melissa said with a laugh, handing Jasmine a tiny bag. “Alright, let’s go. I’ll be your driver today.”
“Are we picking up Quincy? I want to bring him a gift!” Jasmine dashed back to her room to dig through her treasures, then came running back. “I can give him this pretty princess, or this mermaid, or this dinosaur monster, or even this Ultraman!”
“You’re so generous! Those are your prized possessions, aren’t they? Don’t worry, I’ve already got gifts for him in the car,” Melissa said.
Jasmine sighed in relief, then grabbed both their hands, pulling them toward the stairs.
Melissa chuckled. “Your daughter’s just as sharp as you, always full of little tricks.”
If her family hadn’t gone through that tragedy, Lillian might have stayed this happy all along.
As the three of them reached the bottom of the stairs, someone walked in.
Their eyes met, and Fox was the first to react, her eyes widening. “Lillian? What are you-”
Melissa rolled her eyes. “You’re here again? Conrad’s not home. Maybe come back when he’s around?”
Fox ignored Melissa’s jab, her gaze fixed on Lillian. “You finally decided to come back? What are you here for now? Jasmine is grown up now- you just came back to reap the rewards?”
“Jasmine, come down here! Come to me!” Fox said.
“I don’t want to! How could you yell at my mom like that?” Jasmine snapped angrily.
Fox’s face twisted in frustration. “Your mom? Does she even remember she’s your mom? Five years without a word – does she even deserve that title?”
“Are you trying to say I’m not qualified, or are you suggesting you should be?” Lillian’s voice cut in right as she stopped Melissa from stepping forward, her tone calm and steady.
“Lillian! Don’t take out your guilt on other people!”
“I know exactly what I’m doing,” Lillian shot back. “The real question is – do you know where you stand?”
With that, she scooped Jasmine up in her arms and headed downstairs.
Nancy hurried over. “Do you need me to arrange a driver?”
“No need, I’ll drive.”
“But Mr. Conrad also arranged for security.”
“Well, it’s true things could get risky. Our little princess here is precious. Fine, let them follow us in their car. We’ve got to pick up another kid on the way anyway.”
“Assistant Ford seems to have everything sorted out.”
Everyone kept talking, completely ignoring Fox. She watched as Lillian, out of nowhere, seemed to steal the spotlight. It was as if the moment Lillian returned, the role of ‘lady of the house’ had been hers all along.
They were already heading out the door when Fox finally blurted, “Where are you taking Jasmine? Do you even know her status? She can’t just go out whenever she wants! If something happens, can you take responsibility?”
“If Conrad’s not worried, why should you be? What, you think you’re the Brown family’s eldest daughter now or something?” Melissa scoffed, clearly fed up. “Let’s go. She’s not worth our time.”
When Ford walked in, he immediately sensed the tension lingering between the women.
“Ford! You tell them! Should she be allowed to take Jasmine?”
Ford adjusted his glasses and replied calmly, “Miss Lillian, the car is ready. I’ve already contacted Mr. Ethan – Quincy is at home waiting. I’ll show you today’s schedule shortly.”
“Thank you,” Lillian said with a slight nod. She didn’t spare Fox a glance before heading straight to the waiting car.
Once everyone was settled in, Ford turned back and said firmly, “If there’s nothing urgent, I suggest you stop coming to Hillside Villa. We used to allow it so you could bring Miss Chloe over, but that’s no longer appropriate.”
“What do you mean ‘no longer appropriate’? So now that Lillian’s back, this place is off-limits to everyone else?”
“Harsh as it sounds, yes.” Ford’s voice remained calm. “You know exactly what Miss Lillian means to Mr. Conrad. If you care at all about what he’s been through – the years of waiting and effort – you’d be better off staying out of her way.”
“Just focus on taking care of Chloe. That’s the only reason you and Mr. Conrad have any connection outside of his military ties.” With that, Ford turned to Nancy and added, “Make sure she leaves later.”
“Got it,” Nancy replied.
Nancy had been lingering near the doorway the whole time.
Fox scoffed bitterly, “I bet Conrad’s thrilled.”
Realizing Fox was talking to her, Nancy couldn’t help but grin. “Oh, thrilled doesn’t even cut it. He’s practically stumbling over himself trying to keep it together. After all, Miss Lillian’s not like those random women out there. Oh, wait – not Miss Lillian anymore… Mrs. Conrad now.”
Fox’s face darkened, her breath catching in her throat.
Nancy grabbed the vacuum cleaner and added with a smirk, “Honestly, if Mr. Conrad had to move into her house to marry her, he’d probably do it with a smile on his face. As long as Miss Lillian wants him, that’s all that matters.”
“Alright, move aside.”
Fox was forced to step back. She stood at the door for a moment longer before suddenly turning on her heel and storming off.
Nancy watched as Fox’s car disappeared down the road, then immediately called the security booth outside. “Don’t let Fox in anymore unless Chloe is with her, got it? It’s not proper for an unmarried woman to show up alone-it’s just inviting rumors. Do you even care about keeping your job?”
In the car, Melissa watched Jasmine sitting there, inspecting the gifts piled in the back.
She let out a soft sigh and said, “Don’t take it to heart. I’m not one to defend Conrad, but Fox-she’s as stubborn as a mule and always acts like she and Conrad have been through hell and back, while the rest of us women just ‘wouldn’t get it.’ But over the years, Conrad has barely contacted her except to ask about one girl. So trust me, there’s nothing going on between them.”
“That girl, Chloe, is actually quite a sad case. She’s the daughter of Conrad’s comrade. She finally got a transplant last year and started school this year. Fox is her biological aunt, and that’s pretty much the only link between them now.”
After connecting the dots with her memories, Lillian gave a faint nod. It dawned on her that the little girl Conrad had been holding when she had barely survived and returned to Hillside Villa must have been Chloe.