Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 156

Paulina was taken aback by Merry’s words, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Merry’s words had sent her mind spiraling back to when Merry was just a newborn, so fragile and tiny, cradled in her arms.

Leila was the one who would cry and act coquettishly, and thus, she would be fed first.

But Merry seemed to have been born optimistic, full of life and activity, gazing earnestly at her mother whenever she was hungry.

So, after preparing the formula, Paulina would instinctively tend to Leila first to quiet her cries.

As the girls grew, they began to sleep in separate rooms at the age of five.

Both daughters were initially fearful, and although Paulina and Cain, had agreed to accompany one of them, Cain was often held up with work and didn’t make it home.

Reluctantly, Paulina left Merry to sleep alone that night as Leila pleaded for her.

Concerned for Merry, Paulina checked on her in the middle of the night and found her wide awake, quietly staring at the door.

Startled, Paulina asked her why she wasn’t asleep.

“Mom, I’ll be really good from now on, will you stay with me?” Merry pleaded, melting Paulina’s heart.

But as time went on, whenever Leila cried or fussed, Paulina found herself attending to her, gradually losing the ability to read Merry’s emotions.

Merry had grown up, her personality now prickly, her stubbornness and aloofness making Paulina tough to understand.

Sighing at the thought, Paulina reached out to stroke Merry’s hair, unaware that her touch made Merry flinch and her eyes betray a hint of panic.

As Paulina was about to speak, Leila entered, carrying a glass of water that swayed precariously in her grip. Merry tensed at the sight.

Leila beamed, “Mom, that school’s really doing wonders. Merry used to hate memorizing all those classic texts, and look at her now, all diligent.”

Paulina blinked in surprise.

Merry. In a few months, we might both get into the same college.”

dawned on Paulina then, and in just a week, she had seen the return of Merry’s former sweet and sensible demeanor.

strict discipline of the military–style

it’s only for six months,” Paulina encouraged, setting down a glass of milk, “Now, back to your studies.”

being constricted. Taking deep breaths, she turned back to her book and began to read Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” as Leila left the room with a

and the others arrived, Paulina was busy preparing dinner.

good again, and she worried that

Yates‘ fiery

1/3

a tricky one.

she put on a smile, “Are you here to see Merry?

clock, Paulina added, “You know what, why don’t you all stay for dinner?”

a quick meal wouldn’t distract Merry

declined, “No, we just need to talk to Little Parrot

Paulina allowed them

room, they overheard her

exchanged

wrong room?” Cordelia wondered, contemplating if

head, “No, I’ve been here

to knock, the door, not properly closed, swung

a new side of Merry, free from bold makeup, her delicate features on display.

lips parting as if

felt an inexplicable twinge of pity and softly called out,

quickly dropped her gaze, “Lia,

i

school echoed in her mind, any failure to memorize the assigned texts

understood clouded her thoughts, and she

she turned back to

for her book, her voice trembling as

odd. When had Little Parrot become such a hard