She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 253

It took a long moment before Luther finally descended the rest of the stairs.

He walked straight over to stand behind Annie, casually picking up a piece of her homework. With sharp precision, he pointed out a mistake and explained a far more efficient method. He was a graduate of an elite, world-renowned university. A highly intelligent man was undeniably attractive.

Joyce couldn't help but acknowledge that fact.

*Too bad he's a widower.*

*And the father of two children.*

She tried her hardest to shake off the lingering anxiety from the second-floor guest room. The man seemed to have entirely forgotten the incident, patiently tutoring his daughter. Left awkwardly on the sidelines, Joyce simply scooped Landon into her lap. Being around four years old, he was still accustomed to having a warm bottle of milk before bed. He was incredibly affectionate, pressing his face against her chest and mumbling, "I want my milk! I'm sleepy."

He was a gorgeous child with striking, defined features and a luminous complexion. Just like Jocelyn, he was absolutely precious. Although Joyce was unmarried, she adored children. Wilma immediately caught the cue, quickly prepping a baby bottle with warm water and formula before handing it over with a wide, eager smile. "Ms. Croix, you just need to shake it up a bit."

Joyce offered a gentle smile. "I actually have a little one at home."

Wilma's eyes went wide with manufactured shock. "You're married, Ms. Croix?"

She threw a glaringly exaggerated look in Luther's direction.

The man remained entirely focused on his daughter's homework.

Joyce looked slightly embarrassed. "She's my brother's child. She's two years old. The sweetest little girl."

She pulled up a photo on her phone to show Wilma.

Wilma became visibly emotional, showering the photo with relentless praise while tears welled up in her eyes. "She's absolutely beautiful! I bet she looks exactly like her mother."

Annie leaned over to take a peek.

It was a breathtakingly gorgeous toddler.

The photo looked like it was taken when she was a little over a year old.

Her dark hair was tied into a tiny, sprout-like ponytail.

Her little cheeks were perfectly soft and round.

She looked exactly like Annie had at that age.

Annie didn't say a word. She was ecstatic, yet a sudden wave of jealousy washed over her. Her little sister got to spend every single day with their mother. She reached over and hugged Landon. He gripped his bottle, sucking away contentedly while staring at the screen. Somewhere in his little mind, he vaguely understood that the girl in the picture was his sister, Jocelyn.

Luther sat nearby in total silence.

*Jocelyn.* That was the name he had chosen.

He hadn't expected Damien to actually use it.

—*Of course, I'll be changing her last name back eventually.*

The atmosphere grew thick with unspoken tension.

Completely oblivious, Joyce lovingly patted Landon's head. "It's getting late. I need to head home."

Annie was reluctant to let her go. She was deeply envious of her little sister. But she was a mature girl. She knew her sister had been through a lot, nearly dying alongside their mother.

She slipped out of her chair.

"I'll walk you out, Ms. Croix."

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