Chapter 228: Mama, did someone make you really upset today?
’No—no, Adelyn,’ a voice inside her head called out, warning her against whatever she was about to decide. ’You cannot agree to move in with them. It’ll only blur the lines between truth and lies even further. And when that happens ... walking away will only become more difficult.’
Although that voice felt distant, almost like an echo in the back of her mind, she still heard it clearly. Not just heard it —she believed it too.
So, she decided to refuse.
"I—"
However, her words caught in her throat the moment her gaze fell on the little girl.
Eira was looking at her with such innocence. Such hope. As if she was simply waiting —trusting —that Adelyn would say yes.
Faced with those eyes, how could she bring herself to disappoint her?
How could she refuse?
Wouldn’t that be too cruel?
But then—
If she avoided being cruel now, wouldn’t she end up entangling herself deeper in something that would hurt the child even more later?
"Mama?" Eira called out again, her voice soft and careful, as though afraid to push too much. Her doe-like eyes blinked up at her, making it almost impossible for Adelyn to steel her heart.
"Yes," she finally said.
Her lips curved into a helpless, yet genuine smile.
"Yes, sweetheart. Mama couldn’t find a better opportunity to stay with Eira, could she?"
Perhaps she would end up hurting the girl someday.
Perhaps this decision would come back to complicate everything.
But that didn’t have to happen now.
If a single "yes" could bring such joy to her ... if staying with her for a few days could make her happy —then maybe, just this once, she could allow herself to give in.
After all, she had already planned to spend more time with her. Cooking for her. Taking care of her.
Staying together would only make it easier.
Thinking that way, Adelyn once again chose to silence the warning voice inside her.
Meanwhile, upon hearing her agreement, Eira’s entire face lit up. She was elated —so much that her eyes sparkled brightly as she exclaimed, "Yayy!! Mama will stay with Eira!"
Adelyn smiled softly at her, reaching to caress one side of her face lovingly before lifting her gaze toward Dylan.
"Thank you for offering me your place, Mr. Warren," she said politely. "I’ll try not to cause any trouble for you."
"Cause as much as you want," he replied, his voice low but steady. "I don’t mind."
"Huh?" Adelyn blinked, caught off guard.
But Dylan didn’t elaborate further. He simply gave her a brief, thoughtful look before turning away to leave.
"Let’s go."
And with that, he walked ahead.
Adelyn followed soon after. Locking the door behind her, she instinctively stayed close by his side as they headed downstairs.
At the entrance, they once again ran into Mr. Porter, who stood there near the society gate.
"Ms Grace," he greeted warmly, his gaze moving between the three of them before settling on her. "Heading out?"
Adelyn returned his smile and nodded. "Yes ... the drainage system in my apartment is damaged. It’ll take some time to fix, so I’ll be staying elsewhere for now to avoid the inconvenience."
"Oh ... yes, these repairs can take quite a while here," Mr. Porter said with a sympathetic sigh which only implied that this was the first time happening.
Then his gaze shifted toward Dylan and Eira, and his expression brightened. "It’s good you have somewhere else to stay. After all, with such a handsome husband and such an adorable daughter, it’s only right for you three to stay together."
Handsome husband ... adorable daughter ...
Adelyn parted her lips, intending to clarify at least a little. "It’s not like that—"
But before she could finish—
A warm, firm hand slipped into hers, fingers intertwining naturally with her own.
Her words halted instantly.
Her gaze dropped to their joined hands before slowly lifting to Dylan’s face.
He held her hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do.
Right ... to him, he was her boyfriend. So it was supposedly very natural for them to hold hand, wasn’t it.
But—
Before she could dwell further on it, Dylan spoke.
"Thank you for looking after her," he said to Mr. Porter.
His words caught both Adelyn and the guard off guard.
But Mr. Porter quickly recovered, waving his hand dismissively with a light laugh. "Oh, it’s nothing. I’m merely doing my duty. It’s Ms. Grace who has always been kind."
Dylan didn’t respond further. Yet his silence wasn’t cold —it felt ... calm. Almost reassuring.
He turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting Adelyn’s.
For a brief moment, something unspoken passed between them.
Adelyn cleared her throat lightly, rubbing the tip of her nose in mild awkwardness. "Mr. Warren, you’re being too polite."
Then, turning back to Mr. Porter, she added quickly, "Please get back to your work. We won’t keep you any longer. We’ll be leaving now."
Mr. Porter nodded.
Not wanting to linger, Adelyn gently tugged Dylan along, and the three of them stepped out.
Eira, being her cheerful self, didn’t say much —but as they left, she turned back and waved happily at the guard.
After all, he had complimented her for being her Mama’s daughter.
And that made her very happy.
The Rolls-Royce wasn’t parked far. As soon as Ford noticed them approaching, he drove it closer.
Once inside the car, Eira wasted no time.
Slipping out of Dylan’s arms, she climbed into Adelyn’s lap and nestled comfortably against her, treating her like her safest place.
Adelyn didn’t resist.
In fact, she found herself relaxing slightly.
Perhaps ... this was exactly what she needed right now.
The warmth. The closeness.
The quiet comfort.
What she didn’t realize, however, was that—
Eira seemed to understand it even better than she did.
"Mama," the little girl asked softly, tilting her head as she looked up at her, "did someone make you really upset today?"
The question caught Adelyn off guard.
For a brief moment—
She froze.
