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.

instantly glistened with tears. "Yes, it's

in and sit," Helen said, ushering them

to the man standing nearby. "Billy, go to town and buy some groceries. Get the best ingredients. I'll

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

mother, a delicate and refined heiress unaccustomed to kitchen work,

felt a mix

she remembered her parents being deeply in love. Even after her mother passed away, her father had fallen into depression for quite

her so deeply, why did he remarry just two years after her mother's death? And why did it have to

didn't live in Rivertown, their meetings were infrequent, but Tessa had liked her at the time. Marianne

Marianne married Samuel, whatever affection had existed between her and Tessa

fair, Marianne had treated her well after the marriage-even better than when she was just her mother's friend. She gave Tessa the best food, clothes, and care. Yet, Tessa couldn't

this in mind, Tessa asked softly, "Mrs. Wilson,

mother

as

several times. Once, when I went to see your mom, I overheard her saying that after she was gone, she hoped that Marianne could take

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

that be..." Tessa's face paled, and her chest felt tight

Marianne