Lost Me Gained Regret

Watching the angel-faced toddler in front of me, it hit me that my previous fuss over him correcting how he addressed me was utterly unnecessary, and quite frankly, I might have even complicated things. Especially considering the relation within the Taylor family, when little Ike first called me "sis," he wasn't off the mark.

By relation, I was indeed his cousin. Realizing this, I couldn't help but find the mix of humor and irony in the situation.

Ike, a true social butterfly even at his young age, looked up at Bella with those big, charming eyes and called out, "Auntie Bella!"

"Hey there."

Bella responded, patting his head gently. Once Ike scampered off to the playroom, she turned to me, "You know, despite the kid having the last name Taylor, he sure takes after you - both in looks and in that charming personality." Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

What she meant was, the Taylors, or more specifically, Herbert Taylor, were not exactly the most pleasant bunch.

Edith wasn't the least bit offended. If anything, she felt like she found a kindred spirit, "You got that right, Bella! Herbert's demeanor is as outdated as a relic from the Victorian era. Can you imagine if Ike ended up like him? I shudder at the thought!"

Bella chuckled, clearly familiar with the Taylor family saga, teasingly asking, "So, does this mean you're considering a reunion with him?"

"Not in a million years!"

My response was firm, perhaps even a bit heated as I thought about it, "Being with him felt like being in a cage, always doubted, always questioned."

"In what way did he doubt you?" Bella inquired, curious.

"Well..."

documents he was working on. I know I shouldn't

woman-to-woman moment; I instantly got

guarded against by

flip side, Gregory

place, taking

our stuff separate, worrying I might stumble upon something

just look at me, all casual like, "If I've given you

...

situation and temperament were worlds apart from

me a cup of tea, "Is this

part of the

Not many could have done better in his shoes."

nodded, a hint

voice, "He was

our parents, who doted on him yet burdened him with high expectations from a very young age. He barely had a childhood, growing

the weight of the Taylor family's legacy, always calculating his every

and I paused, absorbing this new

her puzzled. "He never mentioned any of this to

Then, realizing something, she

d at Bella, surprised, "Bella,