Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 126

Chapter 113-2

Two women are standing by the windows.

The first is clearly Kate Hale. She’s exactly how I imagined–elegant, composed, with posture so perfect it looks uncomfortable. Gray hair cut sharp. Pearls. A pantsuit that probably costs more than my car.

The second woman is younger. Maybe Ethan’s age. Beautiful in that effortless way some people manage. Designer clothes that look casual but definitely aren’t. She’s smiling, but something about it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

Kate turns when she hears us enter.

Her gaze goes to me first. Sweeps from my head to my toes and back up again in the span of about three seconds. I feel evaluated. Measured. Found wanting.

Then her eyes move to Jake.

Something in her expression shifts. Not softening, exactly. But changing.

“Grandmother,” Ethan says. “This is Sabrina Moore. Sabrina, my grandmother, Katherine

Hale.”

I extend my hand. “Mrs. Hale. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Her handshake is firm. Brief. “So you’re the woman who’s captured my grandson’s attention.”

It’s not a question. Not quite an accusation. Something in between.

“I’d like to think I’ve captured more than just his attention,” I say, keeping my voice steady.

Her eyebrow rises. Just slightly.

“Indeed.” She releases my hand and looks at Jake. “And this must be the famous artist I’ve

heard about.”

Jake steps forward. Shoulders back. Chin up.

“Hello, Granny Kate. My name is Jake Moore and I’m very pleased to meet you. I made you a drawing to welcome you home. My mom and I like Mr. Ethan very much, so I hope you’ll be okay with getting a cute new grandson.”

Kate’s lip twitches. I can’t tell if it’s a laugh or anger she’s suppressing. I just pray she’ll take it easy on Jake.

< Chapter 113-2

He holds out the folder with both hands like he’s presenting a sacred offering.

Kate takes it. Opens it carefully.

+25 Points

I watch her face, trying to read her reaction. But she gives nothing away. She studies the drawing–Jake’s best work, a landscape with mountains and a sunset and small details that show how much time he put into it–for what feels like an hour but is probably only thirty seconds.

“This is quite good,” she finally says.

“Thank you.” Jake beams. “I’ve been practicing a lot. Ethan says practice is how you get better at things.”

“Ethan is correct.” She closes the folder and sets it on the side table. “I’ll find a proper place for this later.”

Later. Not now. Not “I’ll hang it on the refrigerator” or “I’ll put it in a frame.”

Later.

Jake doesn’t seem to notice. He’s already distracted by the other woman, who’s kneeling down to his level with a smile that looks much warmer than Kate’s.

“Hi, Jake. I’m Rosalie. I’m Ethan’s sister.”

“The adopted one?”

Rosalie blinks. Then laughs. “Yes. The adopted one. Ethan told you about me?”

“I’ll soon be his son on name and paper. So he tells me everything. He said you live far away and work with international things.”

“That’s right. I’ve been in Europe for the past few months. But I came back to meet you and your mom.”

She’s good at this. Warm. Engaging. Making Jake feel comfortable.

So why does it make my skin prickle?

“Shall we sit?” Kate gestures to the dining table, already set with more silverware than any meal needs.

We take our seats. Ethan at one end. Kate at the other. Rosalie and Jake on one side. Me

across from them.

Like battle lines.

<Chapter 113-2

+25 Points

Dinner is brought out by staff I didn’t know Ethan had. Everything is perfect. Plated like art. Wine in crystal glasses. Cloth napkins folded into shapes I don’t recognize.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify