The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 579

Daphne stepped into the room and addressed Riley. "I'm so incredibly sorry this happened to you tonight."

Riley offered a gracious smile. "It's entirely fine."

Winona thrust the garment bag into her hands. "Here! Go change in the en-suite."

"Thank you." Riley took the bag and headed for the bathroom.

As she turned, Daphne's gaze caught the curve of Riley's hip. The memory slammed into her—her missing Evie had been born with a distinct blue birthmark on her hip.

Logically, she knew this woman had her own parents. She couldn't possibly be her child. But seeing Riley and Winona stand side by side earlier, the resemblance was utterly undeniable.

Driven by a desperate, hopeless yearning, she couldn't stop herself from asking, "Ms. Vance, do you need any help with the zipper?"

Riley paused and looked back at her. "Thank you, but I've got it."

A crushing wave of disappointment washed over Daphne, but she maintained her gentle smile and nodded.

Once the bathroom door clicked shut, Winona noticed her mother was still staring blankly at it. Recalling how she had behaved at the entrance, Winona finally asked, "Mom, why do you keep staring at her like that?"

Daphne snapped out of her trance. Desperate to keep her daughter from worrying, she smiled warmly. "She's just a stunning girl. I couldn't help it."

"Prettier than me?" Winona tilted her head, faking jealousy.

Daphne laughed softly, brushing a hand over Winona's hair. "You are the most beautiful girl in the world to me."

"That's more like it! But I'll allow you to call her beautiful too." Winona giggled, wrapping her arms around her mother and resting her head on her shoulder. After a moment, she glanced at the bathroom door and lowered her voice. "Mom, you really shouldn't bring up her parents around her again."

Daphne frowned in confusion. "Why not?"

"They're horrible people. They only ever wanted a son and treated her like absolute garbage her whole life. She went through hell. It's a really sensitive subject."