Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3057

Estelle grasped Emily's hand, her eyes shining with quiet strength as she looked up at the brilliant night sky. She smiled softly. "This is just the beginning. The future is only going to get better."

...

Friday, the barbecue restaurant.

Since they didn't open in the morning, Damian and the crew slept in. After breakfast, they swept, arranged the tables, prepped the ingredients, and wrapped up around ten.

Just as they unlocked the front doors, Norah walked in carrying a large cardboard box.

Without even looking, they knew it was stuffed with supplies for Circe—cat food, treats, and litter.

Damian looked surprised. "It's not the weekend, Norah. You didn't go to work?"

Wearing a simple white t-shirt and her hair pulled into a half-ponytail, Norah smiled brightly, her voice crisp and cheerful. "The company is on a retreat. I skipped it."

Zachary wandered over to inspect the box, chuckling heartily. "A retreat sounds great! Eating, drinking, having fun."

Norah rolled her eyes. "What's so great about it? I'd rather stay home and relax."

Damian gave Zachary a meaningful look and grinned. "The main perk is that Mr. Flemmings isn't there!"

"What does he have to do with this?" Norah lifted her chin and scoffed, glancing toward the second floor. "Is Mr. Flemmings still asleep?"

Damian and Zachary burst into laughter. She had literally just said Xavier had nothing to do with anything, only to ask about him in her next breath.

Norah's face flushed crimson. She grabbed a toy ball from the box and threw it at Damian.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Stop laughing!"

Damian dodged, begging for mercy. "Sorry, sorry, boss!"

"Aren't you worried your boss will have an issue with you skipping?" Xavier asked casually.

Norah's boss was Adrian. She scoffed. "Let him try! If he has a problem with it, I'll fire him!"

Hearing the casual familiarity in her voice when she mentioned Adrian, Xavier gave her a brief glance. He turned to get fresh water for Coco and didn't say another word.

Circe was over two months old now and had grown noticeably larger. She had filled out beautifully.

Norah adored Circe. Whenever she visited, she would carry the cat around endlessly, unless she was busy helping out.

It was the height of summer, and the climbing roses Norah had planted were sprawling over the yard walls. The begonias were in full bloom too. The yard smelled incredible. Thanks to Norah's constant care, the entire backyard was filled with a romantic, cozy vibe that starkly contrasted with the gritty barbecue joint, yet somehow, it had become the new normal.

Norah perched Circe on her shoulder and grabbed a pair of shears to trim the unruly rose branches. Behind her, Xavier was washing and brushing Coco.

Norah chatted away about her job, giving Xavier highly detailed accounts of the clients and coworkers she encountered.