Fated Marriage Spoiled by My Ice Billionaire novel Chapter 859

Chapter 859 Pumpkin Pies

Chapter 859 Pumpkin Pies

As soon as the plane touched down, both Dolores and Howard were given some time off to rest.

She rode back with Harvey in his car.

Harold and Claudia took Zander to Serene Manor first to pick up some clothes, so by the time they reached Cross Manor, it was almost evening.

When Claudia stepped inside the Cross residence again, that sense of familiarity grew stronger with each passing moment.

The evening sun was streaming into the courtyard.

Henrietta’s cheerful laughter drifted from the yard, where she and Harvey were making pumpkin pies under the ginkgo tree. Isabelle was off to one side, brewing coffee, while Damian–wearing an apron- carried a tray of freshly baked pies toward the kitchen.

The ginkgo branches held a mix of golden and lingering green leaves; every now and then, a breeze would loosen one from its stem, sending it floating gently downward.

Beneath the tree stood a few worn chairs. Isabelle sat fanning herself, quietly watching the two siblings prepare the pies.

Fragmented, hazy memories flickered through Claudia’s mind–followed by a sudden, racing heartbeat.

“Your filling’s leaking!” A little girl’s voice surfaced in her thoughts, pointing at a misshapen pie on the table and giggling.

The boy across from her, his face blurred in recollection, wore a playful grin. “The ugly ones are all yours.”

The little girl laughed brightly. “No way!”

Then she dashed off, calling out, “My brother’s teasing me again…”

“Mommy!” Zander’s voice pulled her back to the present.

Claudia realized she had been standing frozen, her feet rooted to the ground.

Harold was holding her hand, standing quietly beside her, his eyes also on the group beneath the tree.

Hearing Zander, the others looked over as well.

“Why the tears? Did something come back to you?” Harold brushed his thumb gently across her cheek. wiping them away.

She turned her head slightly, quickly drying her face.

She didn’t understand why, but the tears kept coming.

Im not sure…” She took a breath to steady herself.

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Chapter 859 Pumpkin Pies

Not far off, Harvey and Isabelle exchanged a look.

Isabelle started to move toward them, but Harvey gave a subtle shake of his head, stopping her.

“Mommy, are you okay?” Zander reached up to touch her cheek.

Claudia managed a soft smile. “I’m all right.”

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“She’s probably just tired,” Harold said, squeezing her hand. “How about we go inside and rest for a bit?

“Okay,” Claudia replied quietly.

But when she tried to reach for those memories again, they slipped away–leaving only scattered pieces behind.

Once she had composed herself, she walked with Harold toward the ginkgo tree.

The dog trotted over as she approached, wagging his tail and staying close beside her.

Claudia bent down to scratch his head affectionately.

“Claudia,” Isabelle said, coming forward.

“Hi, Isabelle.”

“Claudia, look!” Henrietta held up the pumpkin pie she had just finished shaping.

Claudia’s smile softened.

Harvey noticed the faint redness around her eyes but said nothing, glancing away instead.

“Why don’t you go upstairs and lie down for a while?” Isabelle suggested gently. “We’ll have some of your favorites ready for dinner later.” She gave Harold a meaningful look.

“Thanks, Isabelle. I’ll head up now,” Claudia said.

“Of course.”

Harold led Claudia inside and upstairs.

Zander stayed behind, eager to sample the first batch of pies coming out of the oven.

“Don’t eat too many, Zander,” Henrietta teased. “You’ll get a stomachache!”

Zander sidled closer to Harvey. “Auntie’s just trying to scare me!”

Harvey chuckled softly.

“Uncle Harvey, try this,” Zander said, stretching up on his toes to offer a bite.

Harvey leaned down and took it. “Tastes great.”

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Chapter 859 Pumpkin Pies

“Can we bring some to Dolores later?”

“Sure,” Harvey agreed with a nod.

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Isabelle added, “Once they’ve cooled, pack a few for Amanda too. She likes the ones that aren’t too browned–pick the lighter ones.”

“Got it, Mom,” Harvey replied.

“I want to come along when you visit Dolores!” Henrietta exclaimed, perking up at the idea.

“Mm–hmm,” he acknowledged softly.

Claudia overheard their conversation as she walked away, pausing once or twice to glance back.

“Everything okay?” Harold asked.

“It’s nothing,” she said, though she couldn’t quite calm the flutter in her chest. The more she tried to push the feeling down, the faster her heart seemed to beat.

She found herself wondering where Hector was just then–whether he might be having pumpkin pie somewhere too.

There was a similar scene tucked in her memories, it seemed: everyone gathered around a table, making pies, sharing stories and laughter under the moonlight.

Noticing her distraction, Harold changed the subject. “How about trying a spicy beef pumpkin pie?”

“There’s a spicy beef version?” She let out a light, surprised laugh.

“We’ve got every kind you could want.”

After changing upstairs, Claudia returned downstairs with Harold.

“Damian,” she said as soon as she saw Damian pulling a fresh tray from the oven.

“Welcome back, Claudia,” he said warmly, motioning her over. “Come taste this–spicy beef, your favorite.”

Claudia looked from Harold to Damian, touched by the gesture even though she’d forgotten this was once her preferred flavor.

Harold took her hand and guided her forward.

“Careful, they’re hot,” Damian cautioned as he arranged the pies. “Those over there are mild, these here are spicy, and the fruit–filled ones are on this side.”

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