Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite) novel Chapter 811

The two little ones lifted their heads mechanically, their eyes meeting with a look of sudden revelation, as if they'd just stumbled upon some earth-shattering news.

Manley dashed over to Hayes, his voice filled with urgency. "What do you mean by finding us a new dad? If Ms. Marguerite hasn't started dating, why would she say something like that?"

Hayes, already tapping away on his phone, replied, "Let me ask her."

Hayes: [Mom, are you dating someone?]

[What makes you think that?]

Marguerite responded with a surprised emoji, then added: [No, I just think you guys shouldn't be without a father, so I've decided to try out some blind dates.]

"Blind dates?!"

The two of them exclaimed in unison, their eyes widening in disbelief, each looking to the other for some semblance of understanding. None could fathom what Marguerite had just said.

Hayes's first thought was that perhaps he'd been too engrossed in investigating the mysterious online friend, neglecting his mom's emotions in the process. And since she moved out for work, neither he nor Manley had visited her. Maybe living alone was getting to her?

As Hayes pondered how best to comfort his mom, Manley snapped back to reality quicker, typing into their group chat: [We totally support Ms. Marguerite’s decision!]

Hayes's brow furrowed deeply, his tiny fists thumping his thighs in frustration as he called out, "Manley! What nonsense are you spouting?"

But Manley just chuckled, clutching his kid's smartwatch. "What's the big deal, Hayes? Aren't you excited about getting a dad?"

Hayes looked at Manley's innocent grin and felt a wave of exasperation, as though a flock of crows had flown overhead. He tried to stay patient. "Manley, that online friend might just be Teresa... If Teresa's alive, then there's a chance Dad is too."

But times like these made him miss Teresa so much. If Teresa were here, she wouldn't think his ideas were ridiculous. She would join him in the investigation, more eager and enthusiastic than he could ever be.

Losing interest in the argument, Hayes watched as Manley began typing, encouraging Marguerite to go ahead with her blind dates.

Manley: [Ms. Marguerite, Manley supports you going on dates, and Hayes does too. But just make sure to find us a cool dad!]

Hayes didn’t even feel like opening up Facebook anymore. Instead, he walked over to the printer, printed out the sketch of the wafer the mysterious friend had drawn, and tucked it into his backpack.

He planned to head to school on Monday and have a closer look at Margot. Deep down, he just couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Margot than met the eye.

As long as there was even a sliver of hope, he was never going to give up.