No Remarriage for us Stay Away by Livia Storm

Chapter 474 Please Do Not Hate Me

After opening the door, Lenora slipped into her slippers and sank into the couch.

Harrietta followed her quietly, like a shadow, her hands wringing nervously as she stood beside the couch. Her head hung low, a mix of guilt and fear clouding her expression.

"Why won't you go back with the driver? Why did you run off here on your own?" Lenora asked, her gaze flat and unreadable.

Tears welled up in Harrietta's red eyes as she looked up at Lenora with a pitiful expression. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "I don't want to go back."

"Why?"

"Because... a strange lady came looking for me at school, and my classmates saw her. They all started saying that I'm an illegitimate child..." Harrietta's voice cracked, and tears-clear as crystal-began to spill over, tracing down her fair cheeks like falling pearls. She looked up at Lenora, her sobs catching in her throat. Her eyes were swollen and red, her face streaked with tears, and her gaze was hesitant, full of vulnerability. "Aunt Lenora," she pleaded softly, "Please don't hate me. I'll be good, I won't make you angry. I'll take care of your baby... please don't despise me."

As she spoke, another tear slipped down her cheek.

Lenora observed the young girl, who resembled a timid cub, her eyes filled with longing for comfort but also shadowed by a deep fear of rejection. At that moment, Lenora felt a pang of guilt, as if she were a heartless monster.

How could I possibly hate such an adorable and sensible child? She's so reliant on me. How could I possibly bear to hate or abandon her? She's innocent; she has no choice over her background!

Lenora's hand, resting on her lap, slowly clenched into a fist. With a soft breath, she reached out and gently pulled Harrietta close, tenderly wiping away her tears. "Don't cry, Hattie. I don't hate you."

Harrietta nuzzled her hand like a kitten, her eyes brimming with tears. Her nose was red, and she choked out, "Really?"

Lenora's heart melted as she spoke. "Yes. I'm upset with your Uncle Zachary, but I've never once disliked you."

What bothered her was not who the child was, but the fact that Zachary had a child with another woman.

"Aunt Lenora, you're the best!" Harrietta cried, throwing herself into Lenora's embrace, her tears flowing freely. "I don't want to live alone in the Fuller residence. I want to be with you!"

Harrietta had always been well-behaved and sensible, but this was the first time Lenora had seen her cry so loudly, so heartbreakingly.

ached in response, yet she didn't agree. She could almost picture the look on Sophia's face

about I call your dad and have him take you back to Galaxy Bay? I promise I'll visit you regularly, okay?" Lenora considered this the best solution. If Harrietta stayed with her, there was no doubt

Bay too? Can't you

back

her

from Lenora's lingering resentment, there was

matchmaker for

and Uncle Zachary loves you. He's already

to Harrietta. "You know, your grandmother has never been fond of me. She's not the type to easily give up, so she would do whatever it takes to keep me and your uncle Zachary apart, even trying to orchestrate a union between your mom and dad. What you may not know is that your grandmother isn't actually your dad's aunt-she's his biological mother, and she has a natural influence over him, much like the strange lady does over you. That's why, to avoid causing any trouble, I've decided not to move back

had a

lived together or not. Once

she moved in with Zachary, it was inevitable that Isla and Tamara would stir up trouble. Given that she was

be better to let them believe she had truly parted ways with Zachary. That way, they

in confusion. "But Aunt Lenora, isn't this exactly what Grandma wants? What if that strange

to happen, then he's not worth my

Uncle Zachary, you're

nuzzling against Lenora's

a soft smile, Lenora patted her gently on the shoulder. "All right, go play with Cotton. I'll start dinner.

unwilling to let go. She glanced

on a

of Lenora's embrace. "I'll go play with

with you

"Yes."

pick her up right away," Zachary said, speaking carefully as if

come

juggle cooking, managing the stir-fry with one hand while flipping the spatula with the other. She awkwardly wedged the phone between her shoulder and ear. "Is there anything else? If not, I'm hanging up." Zachary's

was a