of spicy chicken and
offered it to Adrian, who was too preoccupied to eat.
Chapter 2
I remember you mentioned your mom is great at cooking Southern dishes? I love those too.”
Adnan, with a cheerful grin, replied, “Yes, my mom’s cooking is amazing, it’s even better than what you get at restaurants. Both my dad and I love her food. If you like it too, Giselle, you should come over sometime, and Fil ask her to cook for you.”
Giselle’s eyes twinkled as she feigned surprise, “Oh, really? Con 17%
“Of course you can,” Adrian said matter–of–factly. “You’re one of our favorite people, Giselle, so you’re always welcome at our place“>
“So, Adrian really likes Giselle, huh?” Giselle chuckled and gently poked Adrian’s soft cheek.
Adrian nodded, snuggling against Giselle’s finger, 1 wish my mom could be more like you. She’s always nagging me, it’s so annoying.”
and in the sky.
The cold wind howled, and snowflakes danced in
Mila stood amidst the swirling snow, her hair and eyebrows dusted with white. Each word coming through her phone struck her heart, and her eyes reddened with unshed tears.
Yes, she was an excellent cook
Because her husband and son loved spicy food, she had taken the time to leam from top chefs, mastering the art of Southern cuisine. On quiet weekends, she relished the chance to cook for them, her skills rivaling those of any high–end restaurant.
But hearing Adrian’s words left her chest tight with pain
This was h her beloved son, whom she’d cherished for seven years.!!
Seven years of care and devotion, only to be dismissed as bothersome and annoying, unlike Giselle.
She wanted to hang up, but a familiar yet distant voice stopped her – a voice filled with warmth that made her frozen hands tremble.
It was her husband, Lysander
Mila’s heart ached with a numbing pain that forced a bitter laugh from her lips.
This was the work Lysander claimed kept him busy?!
On their eighth wedding anniversary, he was dining with his childhood sweetheart, and they brought their son along?!
The call had already ended.!
Mila stood in the snow, laughing bitterly for a while, her eyes brimming with tears. The bouquet of roses in her hands was thrown to the ground, crushed beneath her footă
The red petals scattered across the snow glaringly bright like spilled blood
Mila got into her car, letting the warm air thaw her frozen limbs, slowly bringing her back to her senses.
Memories rushed past like fleeting clouds.
She knew Lysander had married her because of an unexpected night, pressured by his mother and the circumstances.
He never loved her, might even despise her
Despised her for coming between him and his lover, loathed her perceived manipulations.”
But she had been naive then, enchanted by the allure of something unreachable, believing that with patience and care, things would improve.!!
What did she receive in retum?%
Seven years of cold indifference, a punishment of silence.
Even their son grew more distant, shared in his father’s disdain for her!!
She was invisible in her own home, a mere tool, unseen and unappreciated.
After seven years, she was finally clear–eyed. She couldn’t warm Lysander’s icy heart any longer.
It was time to end this.
The car’s soft yellow lights illuminated Mila’s pale, delicate face, her nose tipped with a cherry hue from the cold and warmth clashing.
Stretching her still–numb fingers, she sent a message to a lawyer friend she met while at Northpoint University.
They planned to meet the next day to discuss the details of the divorce and division of assets.
