Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite) novel Chapter 881

The little girl’s long, distracted silence didn’t escape Hayes’s notice. Concerned, he waved his hand in front of her eyes.

“Teresa, what’s on your mind?”

Startled, Teresa snapped out of her daze.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” she stammered. “I was just making sure I haven’t forgotten to tell you anything important.”

“Did you?”

“No, no, I told you everything. Nothing left out, I promise.”

The old lady had made her swear to keep it secret—so secret, she couldn’t even tell her own dad.

She’d kept it hidden for months, but the old woman still hadn’t shown herself. If she told Hayes now, what if it changed everything?

Still, Teresa didn’t intend to keep the secret forever. Once the old lady appeared, she’d get to the bottom of it—and then decide whether to confide in Hayes.

That was her plan, but Hayes remained unconvinced.

Something about Teresa’s manner seemed off—like she was hiding something and wrestling with herself about it.

Just as he was about to ask, his smartwatch buzzed.

He glanced down: a Facebook message from Miley.

Her tone was… off.

Aunt Miley: [Are you with your mom?]

Hayes quickly replied: [Auntie, Mom should be at the hospital with Uncle Maurice.]

Aunt Miley: [Has she lost her mind? That woman is so clueless!]

Uh…

What was going on?

Aunt Miley and Mom were usually so close—why was she calling Mom clueless? Was she mad because Mom was taking care of Maurice at the hospital?

Hayes typed back: [Auntie, is something wrong?]

A minute ticked by with no response.

It looked like Miley really was upset with Mom.

Curious, Teresa leaned over. “Who is it?”

With sudden determination, Hayes leapt up from the couch.

Teresa nodded obediently. “I’ll be fine.”

“Let’s keep in touch, okay?”

“Okay!”

With that, Hayes dashed out the door, barely pausing to grab his jacket.

Watching him charge off with such purpose, Teresa felt a wave of comfort and pride.

Hayes wasn’t the timid little boy he’d been just six months ago.

Maybe all the upheaval at home had forced him to shoulder more than his share of responsibility.

But Teresa liked this new side of her Little Mute.

She’d always been the one protecting him. Now, finally, her Little Mute could protect her too.