Chapter 22
At the Howell residence, Jayden strolled out of the study towards the escalator, calling out to a servant below, “I’m thirsty. Can you bring me some soda?”
“Soda? Jayden always drinks plain water. Why the change? The servant looked up and asked, “Jayden, don’t you usually dislike soda?
“I feel like having some now, Do we have any?” Jayden responded.
“I believe so. If not, I’ll grab some from the store and deliver it to the study,” the servant reassured
“Orange flavor, Jayden specified before returning to the study.
The servant procured the soda and approached the study, only to find the door locked.
Moments later, footsteps echoed from within. Jayden unlocked the door and opened it slightly.
I bring this in for you and tidy up?” the servant offered.
“No need,” Jayden declined, taking the soda and shutting the door once more. As the servant’s steps receded, he placed the drink on the table quietly, then prompted. “You can come out now,”
From behind the curtains, a delicate hand pushed the fabric aside. Paisley peeked out, her eyes alight with mischief as she beamed at Jayden, revealing subtle dimples on her cheeks.
Jayden’s typically cold expression softened as he looked at her.
“No one will find me, right?” Paisley whispered sweetly
Jayden shook his head.
Assured by his gesture, Paisley emerged from behind the curtains. Leaning against the table, she reached up on her tiptoes to grab the soda, holding it close to her chest as if it were something valuable. Her favorite was orange–flavored soda. She held onto the bottle tightly, struggling unsuccessfully to twist off the cap.
Jayden motioned for her to pass it over.
Paisley blinked and handed him the bottle.
Jayden effortlessly unscrewed the cap and handed the bottle back to her.
Paisley hugged it and took a small sip. As the soda trickled down her throat, she smiled contentedly, her eyes sparkling with delight.
After finishing the soda, she noticed her fingertips were sore and red from trying to open the bottle earlier. “It hurts,” she said.
Jayden walked over, set the bottle aside, and gently took her hand. Seeing how red it was, he felt sorry for her and softly blew on her fingers.
Paisley looked up at him, her cheeks flushing slightly as she admired his delicately curled eyelashes…
Jayden gently massaged her fingers and asked, “Does it still hurt?
Paisley shook her head. “It’s not hurting anymore.”
“Good.” Jayden replied softly.
Paisley settled onto the rug, a flicker of regret stirring within her. She held a strong distaste towards Josiah and the Saunders family. Unwilling to be taken back by him, especially since Cassidy hadn’t returned the previous night, she followed Jayden home after school.
In class, Jayden was always quiet and reserved. Despite his handsome appearance and tall stature, he never bullied others. Many girls in the class admired him.
However, he maintained his distance from everyone except Paisley. Though he didn’t talk much to her, he always accommodated her unconditionally, a bond that others envied. As a result, Paisley often faced exclusion from the other girls
in the class.
Chapter 22
As she tagged along with Jayden to his home. Paisley started to worry about Cassidy getting upset if she couldn’t find her. “I want to go home… I miss Mommy.” She pouted softly.
Jayden gently tousled her hair. Suddenly struck by an idea, he walked over to the desk, opened a drawer, and retrieved drawing Nathan had drawn the previous night. Kneeling before Paisley, he presented her with the drawing “Look at this”
Paisley took the drawing, and her eyes widened immediately. “Mommy?”
Jayden was also surprised. He raised his eyebrows and sat beside Paisley, studying the drawing with her. “Where?”
“Here! This is my mommy!” Paisley pointed to the woman depicted in the drawing. She glanced curiously at Jayden. “Did you draw this?”
“Yeah, I drew it with Daddy,” Jayden confirmed.
“But why did you draw my mommy on it?” Paisley stared at the drawing recognizing the resemblance more clearly the longer she looked. Having spent considerable time with Cassidy, she instantly identified her in the sketch.
Unable to explain, Jayden simply gestured toward the little girl in the drawing and asked, “Does this look like you?”
Paisley examined the figure, pursing her lips. Her wide eyes revealed a hint of uncertainty. “Do I really look like this?”
“Yeah,” Jayden affirmed with a nod
Paisley was intrigued. She rarely looked in mirrors, making it hard for her to recognize herself. It doesn’t seem like me, she remarked.
“It does.” Jayden countered.
“No, it doesn’t,” Paisley insisted.
“Yes, it does Jayden persisted.
Paisley pouted, her cheeks flushing slightly. “No!”
Suddenly, Jayden stood up.
“What are you doing?” Paisley inquired.
“Getting the mirror,” Jayden replied. With that, he opened the door and left the room.
Paisley sat there, holding the drawing, lost in thought. She studied the sketch and absentmindedly pinched her own cheeks, finding it hard to believe that the girl in the drawing resembled her.
Just then, footsteps drew near from outside the door. Assuming it was Jayden returning. Paisley kicked her feet on the carpet, scrambled up, and reached for the door, only to hear the servant’s voice. “Mr. Nathan Howell, you’re back, Jayden is in the study”
“Mm,” Nathan replied.
‘Oh no! Paisley thought in panic. Her grip loosened, and the drawing fluttered and fell to the ground. She glanced around frantically, unable to find a hiding spot. Spotting the curtains, she staggered toward them and slipped behind. She pulled the curtains closed and hid behind them.
Meanwhile, the door swung open from outside. Nathan strode in and noticed the curtains fluttering. Soon after, he felt something under his foot Looking down, he saw the family portrait lying on the floor, puzzled–Jayden would never leave things strewn about. As he stooped to pick up the painting, he noticed the curtains move again, raising his suspicion. Nathan. glanced toward the curtains.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a faint outline of a figure behind the curtain. The silhouette seemed timid, two small hands clutching the curtain edge, trembling nervously. Nathan frowned, quickly realizing it wasn’t Jayden. ‘It looks like a little girl, he thought.
His gaze shifted downward to the curtain’s hem, noticing a pair of delicate children’s shoes. It was a pair of pink princess shoes adorned with two blue four–leaf clovers. ‘Who could be hiding behind the curtain?’ he pondered.
Approaching cautiously, Nathan neared the curtain. With each step closer, the figure behind it trembled more visibly. Standing right beside the curtain, he paused, then swiftly pulled it open.
