Chapter 13
Over the past month, Margaret had shifted her core operations overseas. Though unfamiliar, this place offered brighter prospects as the domestic market had saturated.
Her new office sat on a quiet street, neighbored by a small dessert shop.
Margaret most enjoyed watching the shop’s comings and goings during her downtime.
“Hello?”
Margaret turned instinctively toward the voice. A little girl in a pinafore dress stood timidly at the office doorway, holding a small cake while staring at her with wide–eyed gaze.
“Miss, would you like some?” Tiptoeing, she placed the cake on Margaret’s desk. “Daddy just made it. It’s really sweet.” As the child stepped closer, Margaret noticed her chubby cheeks–a rare mixed blood child.
Margaret’s dark hair was tied in a topknot, her eyes narrowing into crescents when she smiled–utterly charming.
Margaret extended her hand, and the child obediently approached, rubbing against her palm like a kitten.
Turns out the little girl noticed Margaret gazing daily at her family’s bakery, assuming she couldn’t afford treats, and generously shared her own cupcake.
Margaret held the child’s soft hand, guiding her back to the shop.
“Welcome.”
Hearing the door chime, the shopkeeper automatically greeted–then froze upon seeing his daughter led by a stranger.
It took him a full half–second to react.
Margaret gestured toward the child: “She treated me to cake…”
The man beckoned his daughter: “Sorry to trouble you.”
“Yaya, say thank you to the lady!”
The little girl swept away her previous timidity, raised her little face, and revealed her cute little fangs: “Thank you, Auntie. Auntie is so pretty.”
Hearing this, the ice on Margaret’s face instantly crumbled, and she burst out laughing.
She squatted down to be at eye level with Yaya: “Yaya already knows about beauty at such a young age?”
Yaya blinked her big eyes, suddenly reached out to hold Margaret’s face and gave it a nibble: “Of course I know.
0.0%
00:25
Chapter 13
When Yaya grows up, I want to marry a girl like Auntie.”
The air instantly froze.
288 ¡Vouchers
The man hurriedly took the child back: “Sorry, Yaya’s mom passed away when she was very young. She probably heard about marriage from her classmates at school.”
He lowered his head and earnestly educated Yaya: “Girls can’t marry girls!”
Margaret didn’t mind, though. She had never seen Charles so innocent and carefree in front of her.
Margaret felt a dark cloud settle over her head.
In their eyes, Barbara was probably the fit mother.
“It’s alright.”
She ruffled Yaya’s hair, then noticed the programming book on the little desk.
“Yaya likes coding? Auntie can help. Need a hand?”
Yaya’s eyes lit up as she nodded vigorously.
For the next two hours, Margaret sat with her at the bakery entrance discussing the book.
Slowly, the two grew closer–Yaya even shared her prized snacks with Margaret.
Jack stood by the counter, his eyes and brows gentle as he watched the scene outside.
His secretary called, but Margaret still felt reluctant to leave.
As Margaret went to settle the bill, the owner softly declined: “The kid hasn’t been this happy in ages.”
He glanced at Yaya slumped over the table: “Her mother was an outstanding AI researcher. Tragically, she fell ill and left us too soon. During her final days, she loved reading books with Mom by her hospital bed…”
As if struck by a memory, the man’s eyes reddened to the point of tears.
Margaret handed him a tissue, cutting short his reminiscence: “I haven’t felt this happy in years either. She feels like my own child…”
The words died in her throat. No–Charles never showed me such affection.
But Jack nodded without pressing further.
“I see you live nearby. Drop by anytime you’re free.”
As they parted, Jack extended the invitation, while Yaya trailed behind, tugging at her hem: “Miss, can I come play with you?”
40.4 %
00:25
Chapter 13
288 Vouchers
Margaret crouched to eye level, pinched the child’s chubby cheeks and smiled: “Of course! You gave me cake, so that makes us friends.”
Jack took Yaya’s hand to let Margaret leave.
Even after the woman disappeared, Yaya kept cheering.
Back in her office, Margaret watched through the glass as the duo bustled about, kindling a long–forgotten warmth
within her.
After that, Margaret became a regular at the cake shop.
Whenever free, she’d drop by next door, or Yaya would bring over cakes baked by her dad.
Each time, the young women at the office would entertain their guest with snacks or picture books.
On a sunny day, Jack suddenly mentioned craving Coconut Curry Chicken.
“Care to try? My cooking’s passable,” he said, holding a package just delivered from back home. He’d been talking about homesickness for weeks.
Jack’s eyes crinkled with laughter: “Don’t underestimate Yaya. You might not handle spice as well as she does.”
Margaret meant to refuse, but seeing Yaya’s hopeful gaze, she found herself nodding.
00:25
