Chapter 2

All of them turned around in confusion. Elise stared at the newcomer for a long moment before she finally remembered who he was. She had never been to Birkstone before, so logically, no one there should have recognized her. However, this man had once worked on a project and had tried to win over her brother, John Cullen, for investment. That was why he had flattered her for some time and was able to recognize her now. Aaron's face twisted with disdain. "You must have the wrong person. Who are you calling Ms. Cullen? She's just a helper in our house." Elise froze. Aaron's words struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the pain was so intense it tore through her entire body. The man behind her also hesitated, thinking he truly must have made a mistake. After offering a hasty and embarrassed apology, he quickly left. Aaron looked up at her again. "With your background, you're not even worthy of being my mother. Only Alicia is good enough," he said in a tone disturbingly calm for a five-year-old. Alicia blushed and tugged his hand. "Aaron, don't say that." Alexander remained silent. He didn't speak up to defend Elise at all. When they arrived at the car, Aaron immediately ran to the front passenger seat and blocked Elise from approaching. "Alicia gets carsick, so she'll sit in the front." He then took Alicia's hand and got into the car. "Alicia, sit tight. I've set everything up for you." Elise had never even considered sitting in the front seat. Whenever the three of them went out together, she always sat in the back to keep Aaron company. She had never expected her own son to act this way for Alicia's sake. The front passenger seat was decorated with flowers and snacks Alicia liked. There was even a pink sticker that read "Only for Alicia". Alexander and Aaron were neat freaks. They never ate in the car and disliked such sentimental decorations. But for Alicia, they made exceptions again and again. When they arrived at the Bennett residence, Alicia went upstairs with the three of them. By the door, her pink slippers were neatly placed alongside Alexander's and Aaron's shoes. Alexander took the initiative to explain, "Alicia will be staying with us for a while." Perhaps sensing that Elise might object, Aaron immediately chimed in, "I begged Alicia to stay with us. She helps me with homework and teaches me how to draw." Elise looked at the three of them with a calm she had never shown before. "Suit yourselves," she said, then turned and walked straight to her room. Her unusual composure left both Alexander and Aaron slightly stunned. For a fleeting moment, they sensed something had changed in her. However, neither of them could quite place what it was. During dinner, Aaron kept piling food onto Alicia's plate. "Alicia, try this! My mom may be useless at everything else, but she's amazing at cooking and doing chores!" Elise's hand trembled as she held her utensils. It felt like something had split open inside her chest. The three of them laughed and chatted as if she were the outsider at her own table. While dishing food, Alicia accidentally dumped the scraps from her plate into Elise's soup bowl. Anyone with eyes could tell she had done it on purpose. Elise had spent three whole hours making that soup. The preparation was tedious and the ingredients required meticulous cleaning. Each time she made it, her fingers would wrinkle from soaking and scrubbing. Alexander and Aaron were notoriously picky eaters, but they both loved her soup. Even though it was exhausting, she had always done it willingly. She would never again allow an outsider to trample all over her hard work, especially now that she had regained all her memories. She was no longer that weak, spineless woman they could push around. She set down her fork and looked at Alicia with obvious displeasure. "Ms. Yale, ever since I got out of the hospital, you've been coming at me again and again. What exactly do you want?" Alicia froze, looking at her with a face full of feigned innocence. In the next second, tears began to pour down her cheeks like a broken dam. "I didn't…" she whimpered. The moment she cried, Alexander's expression shifted. He shot Elise a cold glare, as if she was the one constantly in the wrong. "Was that really necessary? It's just a bowl of soup. You can make another one." Aaron jumped down from his chair and gave her a hard shove. "You're a terrible person! I don't ever want to drink your soup again!" Elise stumbled backward, digging her nails deep into her palms as bitterness surged through her chest. There would be no next time. No matter how much they begged, they would never taste her soup again. That night, thunder rumbled through the sky. Elise jolted awake from a nightmare, drenched in cold sweat. Her mouth was dry. She got out of bed, staggering slightly as she made her way to the door to get some water. Just as she reached the hallway, she heard Aaron's soft, comforting voice. "Alicia, don't be scared. Daddy and I are right here with you." The door to the next room was slightly ajar. Elise stood silently in the hallway, watching through the crack. Aaron lay nestled in Alicia's arms, wrapping his small hands tightly around her. Beside them, Alexander was holding Alicia's hand with equal tenderness. They looked every bit like a perfect little family, while she was the unwanted extra. Elise let out a bitter laugh and turned away.