Caught Him Cheating My Life Restarted (Natalie) novel Chapter 556

Marie's hand trembled at Hanley's words, and her gaze hardened as she stared at him.

Victoria was so angry she could have burst.

"Hanley, what are you talking about? I told you to thank your auntie, what is this nonsense? 'If she wasn't her parents' child'? Your auntie *is* her parents' child, the young lady of the Ward family. What are you babbling about?"

Hanley said frantically, "I'm not babbling, I'm telling the truth. Auntie, she's not…"

Marie instinctively cut him off, a smile on her face but a fierce look in her eyes.

"Hanley, you must have read that in a picture book, right? You know the stories in those books aren't real. They're made up for kids."

Turning to Victoria, Marie added, "It's fine. Hanley probably just read a sad story. Kids always ask the strangest questions. Let's all eat."

"Exactly. What have they been teaching him at that preschool? I'm going to have a word with his teacher."

"That's not it."

Hanley tried to explain again, but Marie stopped him once more.

"Hanley, eat your food. You need to eat more, you've gotten so thin lately."

Marie's smile didn't reach her eyes. Victoria chimed in, "That's right, Hanley has lost weight."

Marie then asked Victoria, "Is Darren still not coming over?"

"He's… still at the hotel."

The mention of Darren gave Victoria a headache. Why couldn't they all just live at the Ward residence? He had to be so stubborn.

"Darren staying in a hotel isn't a long-term solution. He should move in with us. Even though Terence and Natalie are attacking us, at least we have the Ward Group to give us a safe place. Sometimes I worry… what if the Ward family can't withstand their schemes? What would happen to me and all of you?"

When Marie reached her parents' room, she found them talking about something. Both of their faces were grim, and they abruptly stopped speaking the moment they saw her.

The heavy atmosphere made Marie feel very uncomfortable.

She walked in and said with feigned concern, "Mom, did you drink the soup Helena made for you today?"

Elaine waved her hand dismissively. "I don't have an appetite."

Marie sat beside Elaine and took her hand. "Mom, I know you're devastated by brother's passing. Losing a child is the hardest thing in the world. But you still have me. I'll be here for you and Dad. I'm sure brother wouldn't want to see you so sad, either."

Marie had been holding Elaine's hand, but Elaine suddenly pulled it away. Marie found it strange; her mother had never done that before.

Elaine stood up. "It's been a while since I've brushed your hair. Let me do it for you."