Chapter 151
The broken sobs came clearly from the master bedroom, entwining tightly around his heart, squeezing it almost to the point of stopping.
Ivan pressed his lips together in silence, containing the surge of emotions. Stepping back slightly, he lowered his voice, "How often does your mom have these nightmares?"
Todd appeared calm and composed, but inside, his heart was in chaos.
Despite his aversion to Ivan, he couldn't help but open up to the guy.
With his gaze fixed to the ground, he shared, "The year I started to grasp things, Mom used to have nightmares nearly every week. But as I grew up and she built her own life and work circle, the nightmares gradually faded. I talked to a doctor, who said waking up during a nightmare only etches it deeper into you, so I... I was afraid to intervene."
It's best to forget the hardships of the past.
Once wiped clean, the nightmares won't haunt you again.
Standing outside the door, listening to the sobs in the master bedroom grow then fade, Ivan's mind raced to the headlines he'd seen.
The pampered Miss DeRoss became the talk of Cuenca after spending the night with a nobody on the eve of her 18th birthday. Overnight, she became the city's laughingstock.
She vanished soon after that day.
Eight months later, she gave birth to stillborn twins and set fire to the DeRoss estate before taking her own life, sending shock waves through Cuenca.
Even someone like him, who didn't care for gossip, had heard whispers about it.
If he had known he'd come to care so much about her, would he have pulled her from that abyss back then?
These past four years, raising two kids... How had she managed?
Ivan sighed quietly.
Turning to Todd, engulfed in darkness, Ivan gently asked, "Didn't their father ever think of taking responsibility?"
If a man had reached out, perhaps her life wouldn't have been so rough.
"Heh!"
From the shadows, Todd let out a scornful laugh.
Gazing at Ivan with a cynic's smirk, he said, "Our father is dead."
...
Sunlight streamed in through the window, waking Haley. Her mind felt heavy; she hadn't rested well.
Her throat, raw as if she had been screaming, began to hurt before she even spoke.
After drinking a glass of warm water, she felt some relief.
Once dressed, she went downstairs.
Reaching the top of the stairs, the rich scent of breakfast wafted up to her...
"Good morning, Haley!"
Owen, bright and cheerful, stood in the living room, politely greeting her.
He'd slept on a tiny bed with Angela the night before. It might've been small, but it was wonderfully comfortable—more so than his own bed at home.
If he could, he'd never leave this place!
"Haley, come quick, I got breakfast just for you!" Owen exclaimed, tugging Haley towards the dining room. "These are the best chicken from around here, famous macaroni salad, and some biscuits. I also got some sandwiches... You can try a bit of everything, Haley."
Haley didn't say a word.
For a moment, she had almost thought that Ivan had made these breakfast dishes.
So much for getting her hopes up.
Owen pulled her to a seat at the dining table. She tried the chicken and nodded approvingly, "These are really good, thanks, Owen."
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