Waking up with my nemesis baby novel Chapter 296

Her diet was strictly controlled year–round, not for enjoyment, but purely for physical performance.

The people around her only ever cared about her technique, her achievements, and whether she could keep on dancing.

The feeling of being understood and cared for so meticulously, the way those two kids cared for Madeleine, was so foreign to her it felt like a luxury.

When the food arrived, Leona didn’t say a word, just ate silently

with her head down.

Madeleine brought a bowl of soup and placed it in front of her.

“Try this. It’s the Beef Soup, their specialty.”

She instinctively wanted to refuse this extra kindness, feeling it

was unnecessary and unfamiliar.

Leona told herself that she and Madeleine were just

competitors. Madeleine was only helping her get back to her

peak form so they could compete properly; they weren’t friends.

Chapter 296

But when she met Madeleine’s sparkling eyes, she couldn’t

bring herself to refuse.

She lowered her head, picked up her spoon, scooped a little,

and blew on it gently before tasting it.

The warm soup slid into her mouth. The flavor was light yet

savory, and a warmth slowly spread from her stomach.

She paused for a moment, then spoke under Madeleine’s

expectant gaze:

“It’s really good.”

Her tone was still flat, but it seemed a little softer than usual.

“Thanks.”

“I’m glad you like it. I specifically asked the waiter to go easy on

the salt for you.”

Madeleine beamed, then turned back to talk to the two kids.

Leona lowered her head, took another sip of the Beef Soup, and

pushed down the inconvenient feeling stirring inside her.

So this is what it felt like to be understood and loved.

But why did it have to be Madeleine?

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How strange.

For Leona, this meal tasted a little more… complicated than

she’d expected.

After dinner, Leona left early.

Minerva finally relaxed her tense back, her small body slumping

onto the chair.

“Madeleine, next time you’re having dinner with Leona, can you

give me a heads–up? It’s exhausting.”

Even though Leona had never taught Minerva, she had been a

judge before, so Minerva felt a certain sense of awe.

During dinner, Minerva was tense the whole time, not daring to

shrug her shoulders or cross her legs.

She kept her core engaged, afraid Leona would frown at her.

Madeleine looked at Minerva’s relieved little expression and

couldn’t help but smile, reaching out to pinch her soft cheek.

“Oh? Didn’t our little Mina do a great job just now?”

“You sat up so straight, like a little lady.”

“That’s because Leona has such a strong presence. The

moment she looked over, I didn’t dare to move. I felt like she’d notice I wasn’t using my core if I slouched even a little!”

She sighed dramatically, like a little adult, “It’s more tiring than dance class!”

Madeleine found it strange, tilting her head with a smile.

“Weren’t you all puffed up before, thinking Leona was a bad person? Why the complete one–eighty?”

Kevin also tilted his little face up, looking curiously at his aunt.

Minerva looked up, her expression turning a bit more serious,

her voice soft.

“That’s because I didn’t understand before… What she said

after the last competition really wasn’t very nice.”

She paused, her big, grape–like eyes blinking.

“But then I saw it. Madeleine, every time you finish dancing,

even though you’re tired, you’re always so happy!”

“And Leona… she’s actually a very serious teacher. The

problems she pointed out, after you fixed them, Madeleine, you

Chapter 296

really started dancing better and better!”

Minerva gestured with her small hands, trying hard to express her observations.

“Even though she sounds cold and doesn’t smile much, when she watches you dance, Madeleine, her eyes are so bright and focused. I can tell Leona really admires you.”

“I think she really wants what’s best for you, Madeleine, and wants you to dance even better!”

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