His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 58

Soon after, an elderly woman with a slightly plump figure and a warm, beaming smile stepped out. "Ms. Yates... Is that Tess?"

Tessa froze for a moment. "Ma'am, do you know me?"

The old woman approached her, her cloudy eyes brimming with emotion. "Tess, you've grown so tall. Time flies."

Tessa's mouth opened slightly, unsure of how to respond.

Stephen spoke at just the right moment. "I learned my cooking skills here."

Tessa glanced at him, puzzled.

Stephen explained, "This is Helen Wilson. She used to be the Somerton family's housekeeper, and Madam Somerton learned to cook from her."

Helen looked at Tessa, her joy overflowing into tears. "It really is you, Tess. Your eyes look just like your mother's. Tess, I even held you in my arms when you were little.

mother, Tessa's eyes instantly glistened with tears. "Yes, it's me, Tess. Mrs. Wilson, I came to

in and sit," Helen

standing nearby. "Billy, go to town and buy some

off. Helen held Tessa's hand and began reminiscing, sharing many stories about Tyla's younger years.

kitchen work, had learned to cook for

felt a

a child, she remembered her parents being deeply in love. Even after her

after her mother's death? And why

a few times. Since Marianne didn't live in Rivertown, their meetings were infrequent, but Tessa had liked her at the time. Marianne always bought

affection had

than when she was just her mother's friend.

mind, Tessa asked softly, "Mrs. Wilson, do

who was very close to your mother? I remember her. Before your mother got married, she often visited your home. They were college classmates and very close." Tessa's expression darkened slightly. "She's my

as if recalling

your mom passed away, Marianne visited her in the hospital several times. Once, when I went to see

a mother. Your dad was there too, and she told him that if he ever remarried, it should only

Tessa's face paled, and her chest

to Marianne was her mother's dying