Chapter 107
Chapter 107
Laura took the computer and placed it on the coffee table, gently opening it
“The password is my birthday? Doris sat on the sofa behind Laura
Laura entered the password and began surfing the net.
Doris noticed that Laura was sitting awkwardly by the low coffee table and suggested, Laura, why don’t you move to the dining table?”
“It’s fine,” Laura replied, feeling it wasn’t too bad. “Doris, I’m preparing to look for a job. I need to make a proper resume
“Laura, there are plenty of resume templates online. You can just follow one Doris suggested.
Laura smiled, “Alright, don’t worry about me. Go to sleep. I’ll finish this and then you can take a look and give me some feedback,”
“Okay,” Doris said, giving a thumbs–up. Doris went back to her room, changed into her pajamas, and lay down on the bed.
She looked at Arianna, who was sleeping soundly, and lay down beside her.
Doris slept until a little past five.
Doris had been taking care of two patients the previous day and hadn’t slept much. She hadn’t had a chance to nap in the morning either, so she fell asleep as soon as she lay down in the afternoon.
She didn’t even notice when Arianna woke up and left the room.
Doris quickly got up, changed into her home clothes, and washed her face.
When she walked into the living room, she saw Arianna sitting by the coffee table, drawing with watercolor markers she had bought from the supermarket.
Arianna looked up and sweetly called out, “Doris!”
“Good girl, Ari. Where’s Mommy?” Doris asked.
“Mommy’s cooking in the kitchen,” Arianna replied, focused on her drawing.
Doris hurried to the kitchen and saw Laura, already washing vegetables in an apron.
“Laura, let me do that,” Doris said, trying to take the apron off Laura.
Laura, with wet hands, quickly dried them to stop Doris. “What’s wrong with me cooking?”
“You are our guests, so it should be me cooking,” Doris insisted, determined to let Laura rest. “Why didn’t you call me when you got Ari up?”
“You were so tired last night. I couldn’t bear to wake you,” Laura explained. When she went to get Arianna, she saw Doris sleeping soundly and even told Arianna not to disturb her.
Doris had been so exhausted that she didn’t hear any of their movements.
“Laura, I’m well–rested now,” Doris said, tying the apron around herself. “Laura, go spend some time with Ari.”
1/3
Chapter 107
“She’s fine playing by herself. Let me help you here,” Laura insisted, not leaving “If you don’t let me do anything, it’s like you’re treating me as a guest.”
She couldn’t feel at ease staying here and accepting their help without contributing.
Doris didn’t argue further, “Laura, is your resume done?”
“It’s done, but my work experience is too limited. It’s not impressive in today’s job market, Laura said, feeling uneasy.
After graduating from university, she had only worked for two years before marrying Matteo and becoming, a stay–at–home mom. She had been out of the workforce for over three years, and she felt disconnected from the fast–paced world.
The job market was fiercely competitive, and she didn’t have the advantage over fresh graduates.
“Laura, the first step is always the hardest. Once you take it, you’re already succeeding, Keep going” Doris encouraged her.
“Thanks,” Laura said, calming herself.
She placed the washed vegetables in a colander. “What else needs to be done?”
“Laura, wash a few tomatoes, blanch them, and peel the skin. We’ll make a tomato and beef stew–light and tasty. Then we’ll make steamed egg, which is nutritious and perfect for Ari,” Doris suggested.
“Don’t spoil her too much,” Laura said, though it was clear why Arianna adored Doris. Doris always gave Arianna the best, and her love for Arianna was no less than Laura’s.
“Ari is my little princess. Who else would I spoil? She’s my only niece, and in my heart, she’s like my own daughter. Laura, Ari is a good child, and she deserves all our love,” Doris said, her eyes filled with affection as she glanced at Arianna in the living room.
Laura agreed. Arianna was indeed a lovely child. She was the only warmth in the cold Webb family, the only light in the darkness. Laura couldn’t imagine what she would do without Arianna.
“Since you love children so much, why don’t you and Lewis have one soon?” Laura nudged Doris playfully. “That way, Ari will have a companion.”
“Laura, why are you bringing this up? That’s not happening,” Doris said bluntly.
“Huh?” Laura looked at Doris in surprise. “Are you two planning to be child–free?”
“Not exactly,” Doris quickly added. “We just got married. We want to enjoy some time as a couple first. We’ll think about kids later; let nature take its course.”
“That makes sense,” Laura said. Many young couples these days didn’t want children too early. “I had Ari too soon after getting married. Maybe if I had waited, things would have been different. But I don’t regret having Ari.”
Doris suddenly thought of someone and glanced at Laura. “Laura, can I ask you something? Do you regret breaking up with him and listening to Dad, marrying Matteo?”
Laura’s eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes darkened. She stopped what she was doing. She had thought about this before but never dared to dwell on it.
“I don’t know,” Laura sighed softly, continuing to peel the tomatoes. “Maybe my current situation is the punishment for breaking up with him. He wasn’t at fault. I was the one who wasn’t strong enough.”
“Laura, it’s not your fault. Dad pressured you, and you didn’t want him to make things difficult for him,” Doris said, not wanting Laura to blame herself.
Laura sniffled, her nose tingling with emotion. “Even if we hadn’t broken up, who knows what our future would have been
2/3
16:54 Mon, 10 Mar (M
Chapter 107
like? Sometimes, no matter what choice you make, there will be regrets. I just hope he’s happier then 1 am ne
By the time Doris and Laura finished cooking, Lewis had returned home
“Wash your hands; it’s time to eat,” Doris said, placing the last dish on the table,
“Lewis is back,” Laura said with a smile,
“Laura,” Lewis nodded, “Where’s Ari?”
“Lewis!” Arianna, ever the clever one, heard her name and ran over. “I’m here!”
“This is for you.” Lewis handed her a few gift boxes.
“Wow!” Arianna’s eyes sparkled with joy, her excitement evident.
Inside were a tall Barbie doll, a complete kitchen playset, a miniature dollhouse, colored clay, and building blocks–all things she loved.
“Lewis, you bought too much,” Laura said, not knowing how to react.
The toys Lewis had bought in one day surpassed what Matteo, her own father, had ever given her.
Arianna could feel the paternal love she had been missing for so long from Lewis,
3/3
