Chapter 19

Devin’s Aunt Judith cradled the month-old baby in the parlor, encircled by a cluster of family and friends, all admiring the little one.

Leanne made her rounds, greeting Jennifer and several other relatives. Judith called out. to her as she thought to go out for some fresh air.

“Leanne, dear, would you like to hold the baby?”

The infant was snug in a cotton onesie adorned with bunny prints, swaddled in a cozy blanket, gazing up with big, bright eyes.

Leanne was about to decline, but Judith had already placed the child in her arms. “Go on, hold him. Look how much he likes you. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you.’

With no graceful escape, Leanne sat down, engaging in a silent staring contest with the baby.

The baby seemed genuinely fond of her, blowing bubbles and laughing with eyes. squeezed into happy crescents.

Leanne was smiling, too. It was a strange, heartwarming feeling to be liked by a child.

“Hello there,” she whispered to the baby. “I’m Leanne. What’s your name, little buddy?”

Judith chuckled, “He doesn’t know his name, sweetie. And even if he did, he couldn’t tell you.”

The baby’s pendant had slipped out from under the blanket, which Judith quickly adjusted. That was when she noticed something around Leanne’s neck.

you have

shifted

pendant, an exquisite piece of imperial jade, rarely seen, shaped like a charming

subconsciously touched her pendant, which had warmed and melded with her skin after years

you get it? I’d like one myself,” Judith remarked

her head. “I’m not sure. It was a

Judith beamed, “Curtis gave it to you, right?

matched Judith’s as she sat under the glittering chandelier,

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Chapter 19

was at midnight on Christmas Eve.

was waiting for her

the snow, she was greeted with a warm embrace and a kiss, along with

when Curtis was in

Brenda Perez, Devin’s mother, interrupted, “Young people these days

and then turned to Jennifer. “You’re so lucky to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law like Leanne.”

the fortunate one, getting a grandson

remark unintentionally steered the conversation in that

Brenda asked Leanne, “Why don’t you and Curtis have one of your

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