Chapter 7 Sometimes You Gotta Indulge
Chapter 7 Sometimes You Gotta Indulge
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It was clear that Theo couldn’t have known these words without someone teaching him. Edmund didn’t speak, but his pursed lips and the sudden chill in the al around him signaled his displeasure.
Theo, sensitive as ever, felt Edmund’s unhappiness even without words.
He opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to explain. It wasn’t Mom who said it. It was…”
But Lillian interrupted him before he could finish
“Theo, I know. These weren’t Vivienne’s words. It must have been some random person talking nonsense, right?”
Theo didn’t catch the undertone of Lillian’s words, thinking she was really impressive to know such a thing and nodding earnestly.
“Yes, I heard it from someone at another table in the restaurant”
Lillian spoke softly, “Theo, I believe you.”
Just as Theo was about to smile, something seemed to dawn on him, and his expression turned serious
He looked at Lillian, who was sitting in the passenger seat, stubbornly seeking an answer. “Madam Lillian, would you ever become the other woman?”
Edmund frowned, about to speak, but Lillian stopped him.
She shook her head gently at Edmund, then turned to Theo. “Theo, don’t you remember? I only have at most six months left.”
Normally, Theo treated her like a gorgeous older sister but the sudden shift to calling her Madam Lillian felt oddly formal and stirred a sense of crisis in Lillian. This child, though only five–years–old, should not be treated like an ordinary kid.
Theo paused, as if just remembering this fact. He didn’t understand why he’d asked such a question. He felt some regret and annoyance. Madam Lillian is so kind and gentle. How could I ever suspect her? Besides, she didn’t have much time left. Theo was smart, but he was still only five–years–old.
He hadn’t noticed that Lillian never gave him a direct answer.
He bit his lip guiltily and apologized, “Madam Lillian, I’m sorry
Lillian smiled gently, “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Think about what you want to eat later, and I’ll take you there.
Soon. Theo had put the previous conversation behind him and cheerfully discussed food with Lillian.
“Madam Lillian, I want fried chicken today!”
Lillian agreed without hesitation, “Sure.”
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Chapter 7 Sometimes You Gotta Indulge
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But Edmund interjected, “Lillian, you know your healt isn’t great. The doctor advised against eating fried
foods.
“Once in a while won’t hurt,” she replied, glancing back at Theo. “Besides, Theo wants it… What’s the point of always playing by the rules? You’ve got to indulge sometimes to enjoy life.”
Thinking of Vivienne, who hardly let him eat anything, Theo suddenly felt, Hmm, Madam Lillian really gets me. Mom just tries to control everything.
The next morning, Theo came downstairs to find Edmund reading the newspaper. Seeing Theo rub his eyes sleepily, Edmund frowned, “Theo, why haven’t you gone to kindergarten yet?”
Theo looked down. “No one woke me up. I overslept.”
Just then, the maid, Kelly, came out of the kitchen with breakfast.
Edmund looked displeased at Kelly. “Why didn’t you wake Theo up?”
Kelly was surprised to see Theo still there and stammered in her explanation.
“Mr. Harrington, it’s usually Mrs. Harrington who wake Theo…”
Edmund’s expression turned cold. “She cooks the meals and she wakes the child. Then what are you here for?”
Edmund was usually quiet and reserved. In the five years since she started working here, Kelly had never seen him lose his temper.
Now, the authority of someone long accustomed to command filled the room, making Kelly shrink back. However, thinking of all Vivienne’s thankless efforts over the years, Kelly felt indignant on her behalf.
“That’s not it, Mr. Harrington. Mrs. Harrington said you and Theo have delicate stomachs and need specially prepared medicinal meals. Some of these meals take at least two hours just to simmer the herbs, and the preparation is particularly complex. Mrs. Harrington even taught herself traditional medicine to learn how to make these meals.”
Medicinal meals? Edmund’s eyes flickered. No wonder his stomach issues hadn’t flared up in a long time. Kelly continued, “Eventually, you and Theo got better, and Mrs. Harrington could take a break. But then…
She glanced at Edmund and muttered, “Once, Mrs. Harrington brought you a meal just as Lillian was feeling faint from low blood sugar. You gave Lillian the medicinal meal Mrs. Harrington prepared for you. After eating, Lillian said it suited her stomach and, upon learning it was a medicinal meal, mentioned her doctor had advised the same. She lamented not finding anyone to cook such meals and praised Mrs. Harrington’s cooking. You said, since Mrs. Harrington was cooking for you and Theo anyway, it wouldn’t be hard to include one more person. Mr. Harrington and Theo then said whatever Lillian wanted to eat, they wanted too. From then on, whatever Lillian wanted, she would send the menu to me and Mrs. Harrington. I would do the shopping, and Mrs. Harrington would do the cooking.”
Just then, Kelly’s phone buzzed.
She checked it and handed it to Edmund.
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Chapter 7 Sometimes You Gotta Indulge
“There. Lillian’s sent another menu.
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Edmund glanced at the phone, which showed a three–person chat with Lillian, Kelly, and Vivienne, mostly dominated by Lillian’s messages.
Lillian calmly stated, “Today I want three dishes and a soup
Below was a lengthy menu that filled the entire screen.
Before Edmund could finish reading, Kelly snatched the phone back and quickly replied with a “Got it.”
Edmund watched, bemused, as Kelly hurriedly explained, “Last time, because I was cleaning and didn’t reply promptly, Lillian got upset when lunch was served. She refused to cat and later fainted from low blood sugar, ending up in the hospital. When she woke, she said she was a dying wornan, and it was a waste to keep supplementing her diet. She insisted on not bothering Mrs. Harrington anymore. Mr. Harrington and Mrs. Harrington had a huge argument, accusing Mrs. Harrington of neglecting Lillian. No matter how I explained, neither Mr. Harrington nor Lillian would believe it.”
As she spoke, Kelly untied her apron. “Mr. Harrington. Theo, you’ll have to make do with breakfast on your own: I need to go buy vegetables. If I’m any later, they won’t be fresh, and Lillian might think Mrs. Harrington is intentionally giving her stale food to harm her.”
With that thought, Kelly internally grumbled as she left
Just then, a new message appeared in the group chat, stopping Kelly in her tracks.
