Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Before long, an elderly woman with a warm and welcoming smile emerged from the kitchen. “Ms. Allison… is that you, Allie?”
Allison was caught off guard for a moment. “Ma’am, do you know me?”
The old woman stepped closer, her eyes misty with emotion. “Allie, you’ve grown so tall. Time really flies.”
Allison’s mouth hung slightly open, unsure of what to make of the situation.
Joshua jumped in at just the right moment, “This is where I learned my craft.”
Allison turned her head to look at him.
Joshua explained, “This is Mrs. Paige. She used to be the nanny for the Hartley family. Your mother learned her cooking from her, too.”
Paige looked at Allison, tears of joy welling up. “You really are Allie. Your eyes are just like your mom’s. I used to hold you when you were little.”
Hearing Paige mention her mother, Allison’s eyes quickly filled with tears. “Yeah, I’m Allie.”
“Come on in, have a seat,” Paige warmly invited them.
“Charlie, head to town and get some groceries. Make sure to pick up the good stuff. I’ll whip up something special for Mr. Fisher and Allie.”
“Got it!” The man, referred to as Charlie, eagerly replied, hopping on a motorcycle and heading off.
Paige held Allison’s hand, reminiscing about the past, sharing stories from her mother Savannah’s younger days.
For the first time, Allison learned that her mother had taken up cooking to win her father’s heart.
Her mother, who was more accustomed to a life of luxury, had learned to cook for the man she loved.
Allison felt a swirl of emotions. As a child, she remembered her parents being deeply in love.
After her mother passed, Javier had been in a deep funk for a while.
If he loved her so much, why did he remarry just two years later? And to her mother’s best friend, no less?
Allison recalled her mother introducing her to Linda a few times. Linda didn’t live in Oak Lake, so despite being best friends, they didn’t meet often.
She remembered being close to Linda back then. Linda would always take her to buy pretty dresses and yummy cupcakes.
However, after Linda married Javier, whatever fondness Allison had for her vanished.
To be fair, Linda treated her well after the marriage, even better than before, giving her the best of everything. Still, Allison couldn’t bring herself to like Linda anymore.
Thinking of this, Allison softly asked, “Paige, do you know Linda?”
Paige thought for a moment. “Is she the young lady who was close to your mother? I remember her well. She often visited before your mother got married. They were college friends and very close.”
Allison’s expression darkened slightly. “She’s my stepmom now.”
Paige paused, as if recalling something.
After a moment, she said, “I remember before your mom passed away, Linda visited her in the hospital several times. Once, when I was visiting, I overheard your mom saying she hoped that Linda would take care of you after she was gone. She said she didn’t want you growing up without a mother’s love. Your dad was there too.
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Your mom said if your dad were to remarry, it should be to Linde, she didn’t trust anyone else
How could this be… Allison’s face turned pale, her heart heavy with pain.
Her father’s marriage to Linda was actually her mother’s last wish?
And all of this because her mom didn’t want her to grow up without a mother’s love, hoping a stepmother could fill that void,
Allison’s eyes reddened, her eyelashes trembling slightly, as she fell silent.
Joshua quietly took her hand, his rough thumb gently squeezing her palm.
At noon, Paige prepared a feast, filling the table with dishes. The flavors were just like Savannah’s cooking
Chapter 74
