Chapter 578: Burn
Susan was caught off guard for a sec, "Maybe, I mean, Grace is Candy's real mom. If you two patched things up, Candy would be over the moon."
She felt a pang of disappointment. No matter what she did, she could never be Grace in Candy's eyes. It was just human nature, but it still stung. She wanted to be the cool stepmom, but she wasn't a saint.
"No way! I'd rather be single forever than get back with her." Caleb felt gross just thinking about it.
Susan gave a small smile, "Alright, don't stress. Let's just take it one step at a time."
"Does she really have to come over for dinner this weekend? Can't we just bail?" Caleb wasn't feeling it at all.
"I already told Candy. If we cancel now, she'll be crushed." Susan shook her head, "Plus, I promised her. It's important to keep promises to kids. That way, they learn to trust you and grow up to be reliable. We gotta set a good example."
Caleb sighed, "I never knew you had so many rules. I can't argue with you."
"Isn't it good to be reasonable?" Susan grinned.
"I'm not saying it's bad, but I'd rather you convince me with your 'body' than with logic."
Susan couldn't help but laugh. Caleb always found a way to joke like this, and she had no defense against him.
"Mr. Eilish, don't always think about that, or you'll get hooked. Your body won't be able to handle it, okay?"
"You're too irresistible; I can't help it." Caleb said as he kissed her again.
Susan thought hazily, she couldn't resist him either.
Caleb was like a drug.
On the weekend, Grace showed up right on time, carrying bags of stuff.
"Mommy, Mommy, you're here!" Candy excitedly handed Grace a pair of slippers.
"Thanks, sweetheart."
Oliver still held a grudge against Grace for bullying his mom. But the night before, his mom had seriously told him to let bygones be bygones and to treat Grace like a guest. So, even though he didn't want to, he politely said, "Hello, Ms. Bailey."
"Oliver, I got you a gift. I heard you like Transformers, so I got you one."
"Thanks." Oliver took it.
"Aren't you gonna open it?" Grace looked hopeful.
But Oliver shook his head, "It's almost time to eat. I'll open it tonight."
"Alright then." Grace smiled gently, "I brought a fruit basket."
"Thanks." Caleb nodded, not really interested.
"Where's Susan?"
"In the kitchen, cooking."
"Okay, I'll go wash my hands," Grace headed to the kitchen. "Susan."
Susan was busy cooking. She glanced back, saw Grace walking in. Grace looked a bit chubbier than last time and seemed in good spirits, looking younger, "You're here."
"Yeah, anything I can help with?" Grace asked.
"No need, you're a guest. Just go chill."
"It's cool, I cook for myself sometimes too. My cooking's so-so, but I can help. Just let me know if you need anything."
"It's not right to have a guest help."
"Then don't treat me like a guest. I mean, I'm Candy's mom, we should be closer. I've always wanted to thank you in person. I wouldn't have been able to see Candy if it weren't for your help with Caleb. Thank you."
"It's nothing."
"Yeah, we've had our share of drama, but I think we can hit the reset button. I was still hung up on Caleb before, so I did some messed-up stuff. I'm really sorry. But now, I’m over it. I genuinely wish you guys the best. And thanks for treating Candy like your own."
"You take care of Candy, and I'll look out for Oliver. Let's be like one big family, what do you say?" Grace added, sounding sincere.
A family with Grace? Susan wasn't too thrilled about the idea. Living with Grace was something she couldn't even wrap her head around. There was always this knot in her heart.
"Don't treat me like a guest, let me help you." Grace insisted.
"I got it, really."
"It's cool, I can cook. I've made this dish before." Grace reached out to grab the spatula from Susan.
Suddenly, Grace got burned, letting out a piercing scream, and the spatula clattered to the floor.
"What happened?" Caleb, Oliver, and Candy rushed into the kitchen, with Candy leading the charge.
Grace clutched her hand, wincing in pain, "It's nothing, I just got burned."
"Are you okay?" Caleb immediately walked towards Susan.
Susan shook her head, "I'm fine."
"Mommy, did you get burned? Let me see." Candy asked.
"I'm fine." Grace replied.
"I don't believe you, let me see." After several requests, Grace finally showed her the back of her hand, revealing a large red mark.
"Oh my God, Mommy, you got burned so badly. Susan, how could you let my mommy get hurt?" Candy exclaimed.
"I..." Susan was about to explain when Caleb cut in, "It was your mommy's own carelessness."
"But my mommy never cooks. Susan, how could you let her cook?"
"It's not Susan's fault. I wanted to help and insisted on doing it. Candy, I'm fine."
"Daddy, don't just stand there. Go get some medicine for Mommy."
"You go ahead, I'll keep cooking."
"Okay, be careful."
Susan picked up the spatula and rinsed it under the water, feeling a bit stifled for some reason.
Caleb handed Grace a tube of ointment.
"Thanks." Grace said.
"Daddy, you need to help Mommy put on the ointment." Candy felt nervous.
"I'm fine, I can do it myself."
"Mommy, one of your hands is hurt. How can you put on the ointment yourself? Daddy, hurry up, Mommy is in pain." Candy's tone was urgent, feeling sorry for Grace.
Caleb had no choice but to help Grace apply the ointment.
"Sorry to trouble you again. It really wasn't Susan's fault, it was my own clumsiness..." Grace apologized.
"I know." Caleb interrupted her coldly. There was no way he would blame Susan for Grace. What a joke.
"Good, as long as there's no misunderstanding. I was just worried that I might cause any conflict between you two."
Caleb wanted to retort, "Don't flatter yourself, you're not that important," but he held back in front of Candy and said indifferently, "Not at all."
"Good, that's a relief." Grace suddenly groaned.
"Daddy, you're being too rough. You're hurting Mommy. Be gentler." Candy complained.
Susan brought out the cooked dish and saw Caleb gently applying ointment to Grace. She suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.
Susan was sure Caleb had no feelings for Grace and trusted him completely. But no woman would want to see this scene.
"Thanks, Caleb, you're so kind." Grace said with a smile.
"Let's eat." Susan forced a smile.
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