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.

heart ached in response, yet she didn't agree. She could almost

mom might not agree. How 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

eyes brimming with tears. "Aunt Lenora, aren't you going back to Galaxy Bay too? Can't you come with me? The strange lady can control me,

back

The girl blinked, her face

from Lenora's lingering resentment, there was

play matchmaker for your birth mom and your dad,

is Daddy, and Uncle Zachary loves you. He's already

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

had a

whether they lived together or not. Once the child

she was pregnant, all she wanted now was peace and quiet to properly care for and

ways with Zachary. That way, they would focus on winning him over, rather than interfering

"But Aunt Lenora, isn't this exactly what Grandma wants? What if

happen, then he's not worth my affection. I'd

Uncle Zachary, you're

silent, nuzzling

patted her gently on the shoulder. "All right, go play with Cotton. I'll

unwilling to let go.

on a business

then," Harrietta said softly, slowly easing herself out of Lenora's embrace. "I'll go play with Cotton." While Lenora was cooking, she received a call from

Hattie with you

"Yes."

the trouble. I'll come pick her up right away,"

come

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 heart sank when

was a