The Ending She Read (And the One He Rewrote) novel Chapter 23

She slept incredibly well.

Harriet woke up naturally.

When she opened her eyes, her phone screen was completely flooded with notifications.

All of them were messages from Audrey.

06:55: [Harriet, are you up?]

07:22: [Are you coming back for breakfast? I'm making those famous blueberry scones you love.]

08:16: [Drive safe on your way here!]

09:09: [User recalled a message]

Harriet knew exactly what the recalled message said.

*Harriet, are you not coming?*

She could practically see the disappointed, heartbroken expression on Audrey's face through the screen.

Harriet quickly tapped the video call button.

Beep!

It connected in less than a second, as if Audrey had been gripping the phone the entire time.

Wearing an elegant cream Chanel suit and a string of flawless pearls, Audrey looked like she was dressed for a high-society morning tea—radiant and graceful.

In contrast, Harriet had terrible bedhead and could barely keep her eyes open. "Mom, I just woke up..."

Audrey's heart, which had been soaking in bitter anxiety all morning, instantly melted. "Oh no, did my messages wake you up? Go back to sleep... just come over for lunch when you're ready. No, dinner is fine too."

"I'm up now..." Harriet rubbed her eyes, focusing on the screen with a wide, admiring smile. "Mom, you look so beautiful today!"

Audrey froze on the sofa.

Harriet yawned. "Mom, I'm going to get out of bed now. See you soon!"

"Okay, okay..."

The call ended, but Audrey remained in a daze, unable to process what had just happened.

She used to dream that she and her daughter could have a normal relationship—a loving mother and a sweet, affectionate daughter.

But somehow, they had only drifted further and further apart over the years.

A sweet, playful tone like the one Harriet just used? In the past few years, that had never happened.

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