Chapter 11
Helen anxiously paced the living room, constantly worrying about Trina being out alone and possibly getting bullied.
When Trina arrived home, it was already near midnight. The manor was lit up like a festival, and as she walked in, flanked by servants, the moment she saw the glowing garden, all the frustration and grievances from Cyril’s torment seemed to melt away.
“Mom, why are you still up! Trina asked, surprised to see Helen waiting for her.
Helen handed her a cup of coffee. “Truman told me you were alone with Cyril. How could I possibly sleep? I need to see with my own eyes that you are okay before I can relax.”
Trina, moved by her mother’s concern, felt her eyes fill with tears. She pulled Helen into a tight hug and, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn’t speak for a long moment.
Helen gently parted her back, her voice full of warmth. “Did he give you a hard time?”
Trina shook her head.
“Then did he piss you off?” Helen pressed, trying to guess.
After a brief pause, Trina nodded, almost aggressively, several times in a row.
“That bastard Cyril. Helen snapped immediately. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll have your dad take care of him tomorrow,
Trina shook her head again.
Helen laughed softly, a bit exasperated. “What’s with you tonight! One minute you’re nodding, the next you’re shaking your head.
Finally, Trina spoke her voice soft. “Im not crying because of Cyrill, and I don’t need Dad to fight my battles”
Then what is it?‘ Helen asked, clearly confused.
Trina hugged her tighter, whispering, “It’s just.. that saying about how a mother’s love is the greatest in the world really hit home for me tonight. No one loves me like you do.”
Helen teased her, a grin tugging at her lips. “Of course, I love you, silly girl. Who else is going to if not met Look at you, bughing one second, crying the next. You’re about to be a mom yourself, and you’re still acting like a kid.“
She touched Trina’s belly lightly and asked. “How’re you feeling? Everything okay with the baby?”
Trina placed her hand on her belly too and nodded. “Everything’s fine. It’s still so small. I don’t even feel pregnant yet.”
“Don’t get too comfortable just because of that, Helen warned knowingly: “When I was pregnant with your brother, it just so happened that our family business encountered some issues. Your dad and I were running around all day and barely paid attention to my pregnancy. The delivery was a nightmare. You’ve got to be careful”
Trina smiled through her tears and rubbed her belly. “That explains Truthan’s temper. He must’ve felt neglected in the womb, so he’s been throwing tantrumi ever since to make up for it.”
A voice interrupted from the elevator. “Talking shit about me behind my back, huh? Looks like someone’s asking for trouble!
Trina tumed, surprised. “You’re still up?”
Truman strolled over and flopped onto the couch opposite them, grinning. “How could I sleep soundly when my sweetheart‘ isn’t back yet? Come on, admit it–I was right, wasn’t I
Trina burst out laughing. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess today, really. You were an innocent bystander. If I’ve wrecked your love life. Il make it up to you. I’ll even buy a trending hashtag someday to clear your name, how’s that?”
Helen, now thoroughly confused, looked between them. “Wait, what on earth happened today?”
Truman, seizing the opportunity, groaned dramatically. “Mom, you wouldn’t believe what she did. In front of all those big shots, she refused to let me reveal her identity. So now everyone thinks we’re… involved. She’s got no shortage of tricks up her sleeve, I tell you.”
