Lost Me Gained Regret

Chapter 444

Summer stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows for a while, listening to the faint sounds from outside before turning around to chug down the glass of milk that was on her bedside table. Holding the empty glass, she opened her bedroom door and stepped out.

Hearing the noise, Bella looked up, her heart aching a bit as she remembered what Ivy had told her earlier about Summer. She wondered how Summer had managed to grow up, how much hardship she had endured. It had been over a year since she returned, and yet, she still didn’t show genuine closeness to Bella, her own mother. Her guard was always up. Ultimately, Bella blamed herself for being too negligent in the past.

Seeing Summer approach, Bella pretended not to know what was on Summer’s mind.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Summer asked.

“Nothing,” Bella replied, suddenly pulling her into a hug, caressing her head. “Honey, you can call me whatever you feel comfortable with. It’s just a title, it doesn’t matter. We have all the time in the world to grow closer, let’s take it slow.”

The unexpected embrace made Summer stiffen up.

Bella usually appreciated these affectionate gestures, but only when Summer acted obedient and compliant, so this behavior from Summer wasn’t out of the ordinary.

However, she had braced herself for a confrontation or blame, like being called out for addressing her mother by her name or being an ungrateful child, but it never came. There was no reproach. That left Summer unprepared and, frankly, shocked.

spoken kindly to her when she was in the wrong. Bella was the first. Summer was adept

Bella placed a blueprint of a mansion in her hands, saying softly, “Take a look, do you like it? You’ve always liked Vista Town, right? I’ve decided, we’ll make our home there. If you like

tomorrow.”

name, a gift

back, the best Vista Town had

hood “V

from her usual tone, somewhat stilted. Speaking the truth for the first time felt awkward. Bella was surprised, “What

quickly placed the blueprint on the sofa, standing up awkwardly and hurrying back to her

“Did you hear that? She said wherever

without hesitation. If not for the paternity test, Ivy might have doubted whether Summer was planning to take what

buy the house tomorrow.” It was time to give her daughter

A house worth millions, and she had almost rejected it because of a few words from Bella? Impossible. She was just afraid of future consequences, wanting to leave cleanly when the time came. Real estate was complicated; cash

of familial affection, especially since she wasn’t Bella’s biological daughter. The

interloper.