Lost Me Gained Regret

"No worries."

Bella flashed me a smile, taking my hand gently. "I'm not here for a dress fitting either."

Edith, puzzled, asked, "Then why?"

"Ask Jane about it."

Glancing at the clock, Bella stood up and explained to me, "Jane, I've got a dinner planned with the brand team. How about you join us?"

"I... I'd rather not."

Previously, whenever she facilitated connections for me, I always navigated those moments with a sense of social obligation.

But now that she had suddenly become my... mother, I was still trying to wrap my head around it.

She didn't press, only tentatively asking, "How about I have Ivy pick you up for the celebration party at Cloud Villas tomorrow? Would that be okay?"

Ivy was her most trusted aide.

Having Ivy pick me up, to then head to the celebration party from Cloud Villas together, signified her intention to publicly acknowledge my background, seeking my consent in the process.

I pursed my lips, nodding in agreement, "Okay."

I escorted her to the elevator, on impulse, I called out,

tracks, her step back into the elevator halted as she turned around in disbelief, her eyes

my mother, I pondered countless times whether I could ever utter that word again. Turns out, I couldn't. I thought maybe the term was just too alien to me... sᴇaʀᴄh

blurting it out so unexpectedly, even I was caught off

was at a loss for words,

her choked sobs, I patted her back, fighting back tears, and managed a smile, "When that pendant got lost, I thought I'd never find

"Nonsense."

promise, "Jane, from now on, whatever happens, you've got

sudden acknowledgment brought her some peace. She glanced towards her home's entrance, "After

"I..."

hesitated, "Can I think it

"Of course."

Summer already showcased her as a

the elevator doors

to miss her engagement

bad around here during rush hour."

"So..."

Bella said, "Call me

closed, I turned around to find Edith staring at me in total

still

her eyes, snapping her back to reality, her voice filled with