Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Seeing Patricia’s shocked expression, Mia wasn’t surprised at all.
She tenderly caressed Sage and Ginger’s heads and said, “Yes, I brought them to visit you.”
“Good, good!” Patricia responded, discreetly wiping away a tear. As she gazed at Sage and Ginger, memories of Mia’s childhood resurfaced in her mind.
With immense joy, Patricia warmly welcomed Sage and Ginger, setting out a delightful array of snacks.
Turning to Mia with a touch of reproach, she said, “You should have told me your kids were coming! I could have prepared gifts for them. It’s their first visit, and I haven’t made any arrangements. It just doesn’t seem right.”
Looping her arm through Patricia’s, Mia said gently, “There’s no need for that. The kids have plenty of toys. This visit is about spending time with you.”
Originally, Mia had planned to wait until Sage was fully recovered before visiting Patricia.
However, Laura’s unexpected awakening and subsequent health complications disrupted her plans.
“There’s a difference,” Patricia emphasized. “Those are toys you bought for the kids. Gifts from me would hold a different sentiment.”
With her sweet, childlike voice, Ginger added, “Grand-Aunt Patricia, I’m a good girl, you know. I love you, whether there’s a gift or not.”
Patricia couldn’t help but be charmed by Ginger’s sincerity. “You’re such a clever child, speaking as sweetly as honey,” she remarked with a warm smile.
As Sage and Ginger continued to spend time with Patricia, Mia couldn’t help but notice the unwavering smile on Patricia’s face. It brought a slight uplift to Mia’s mood.
However, amid the warmth of the moment, a fleeting image of Timothy’s solitary figure standing outside the operating room flashed in Mia’s mind, momentarily overshadowing her emotions.
As Mia lowered her gaze, she silently wished for Laura’s quick recovery.
Indeed, she couldn’t bear the thought of anything unfortunate happening to her.
After their meal, Patricia took Sage and Ginger for a stroll around the neighborhood.
As Patricia proudly introduced Sage and Ginger, Mia followed closely behind. “These two are my beloved grandchildren,” Patricia beamed. “Aren’t they just adorable?”
“They’re twins, right? What a blessing! Has your niece from Nord City come to visit you?” the neighbor inquired.
Patricia nodded affirmatively. “Yes, she’s been quite busy with work, but she’s finally found the time to come back.”
Stepping forward, Mia expressed her gratitude to the neighbor, saying, “Thank you for looking after Aunt Patricia all this time. It means a lot to me.”
The neighbor casually waved off the thanks, remarking, “It’s no big deal. Aunt Patricia is cherished around here, and everyone is happy to help.
“Plus, you’ve gone above and beyond by arranging a caregiver and a family doctor for her regular care. That’s truly considerate of you.” Patricia quickly interjected, “I’ve already told her not to bother with hiring a caregiver or a doctor. It’s too costly, but this kid just won’t listen.” Despite her words, Patricia’s face lit up with a smile.
Mia couldn’t help but find the situation somewhat amusing. Was this the adults’ subtle way of boasting?
Previously Dominic had arranged
Go have a 24-hour for and a home doctor, taking into account her solitary living situation and need for constant care.
However, Patricia staunchly refused. Eventually, they reached a compromise, settling for a scheduled housekeeper who came for regular cleaning and a family doctor who visited once a month.
“I must say, Patricia, this is how Mia is showing her gratitude for your kindness. Just look at that contented expression of yours! If you keep this up, I might start feeling jealous,” the neighbor teased playfully.
Later, Patricia took Sage and Ginger to the neighborhood playground, where several other kids were already playing. Although Ginger was eager to join in the fun, Sage, while not as enthusiastic about such activities, followed along.
After all, he felt responsible for keeping an eye on Ginger in case she got into any trouble.
On the sidelines, Mia and Patricia sat together on a nearby bench while Sage and Ginger frolicked nearby.
Turning to Mia, Patricia inquired, “Mia, what prompted your sudden return? Is there something you need to address here?”
Mia sighed before responding, “You seem to catch on to everything, don’t you?”
“Come on, don’t keep me in the dark. What’s the deal? Did the Barrett family stumble upon something concerning the children? Is that why you’ve returned to handle the situation?” Patricia pressed.
Seeing Patricia’s cautious expression, Mia couldn’t help but feel a pang of empathy. “Aunt Patricia, it’s not that. The custody of the kids is not something the Barrett family can challenge or take away from me. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“But given the power of the Barretts, I can’t help but be concerned that you might struggle to deal with them.
“Remember how perilously close you came to losing your life in their clutches years ago? Surely that hasn’t slipped your mind, has it?”
Mia tenderly held Patricia’s hand as she reassured her, “Please, don’t worry about me. My family in Nord City holds considerable influence. We’re not intimidated by the Barretts. So, please, try not to fret too much. I’ll manage just fine.”
“Are you absolutely sure?” Patricia questioned, a hint of doubt evident in her expression.
Though Patricia was aware of Mia’s brothers’ wealth, she also recognized the extensive influence of the Barretts, which surpassed mere financial means.
Within the realm of affluence, there were often subtle intricacies and disparities.
Nevertheless, Mia believed it was time to unveil her true identity to Patricia.
During her previous visit, circumstances had been rushed, leaving no opportunity for disclosure.
On top of everything, the constant threat of Timothy’s surveillance had made Mia cautious about maintaining secrecy, fearing the consequences of Patricia discovering her true identity. However, now it felt unnecessary to keep hiding.
“Aunt Patricia, I am actually-” Mia began, but their conversation was interrupted as several neighbors approached, warmly greeting Patricia.
With a beaming smile, Patricia proudly introduced Mia. “This is my cherished niece. Now that she’s not as occupied with work, she’s brought her children for a visit.”
“Your niece is absolutely stunning! She looks so youthful. I wouldn’t have guessed she’s a mother of two,” one neighbor exclaimed.
“Absolutely, she’s not just beautiful but also accomplished and successful. We’re all a bit envious,” another neighbor chimed in.
Mia chuckled modestly in response, “Aunt Patricia has been my rock for so many years. Naturally, I owe her everything. Without her, I might not have turned out as well.”
After Mia’s words, Patricia reached out and tenderly grasped her hand. “Silly child, why bring up such matters now? The past is behind us, and you’re thriving more than ever.” Mia nodded appreciatively. “I understand.”
Still, she couldn’t help but reflect on how her life might have taken a different path if Patricia hadn’t shown compassion all those years ago.
Maybe Bob and Mary would have sold her off a long time ago.
Sensing the tension in the air, a neighbor swiftly shifted the topicz “Let’s shift gears here. Ms. Lane, we’ve heard you’ve been single for quite some time. Do you have any preferences for your future partner?”
Mia was surprised by the sudden change in conversation. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t misunderstand, Ms. Lane.
Being a single parent can be challenging, so finding a supportive partner is crucial. I have a friend whose son recently went through a divorce.
“He’s quite remarkable—a finance executive, handsome, and well-established. Would you be interested in meeting him?”
“I also have a close friend whose son was on the verge of marrying his ex-girlfriend,” another neighbor eagerly added.
“Unfortunately, she made some unreasonable demands and called off the engagement. Despite his divorce, he hasn’t remarried or had any children. He’s quite the catch.”
The two neighbors seemed on the brink of squabbling over who had the better matchmaking prospect.
Observing the scene, Mia couldn’t help but feel mixture of
?
velaet amusement and exasperation. “I’m sorry, but I’m not currently considering any romantic prospects,” she firmly stated.
“Ms. Lane, are you still hung up on your ex-husband?”
Mia paused briefly before replying, “It’s not about that. I simply haven’t considered being in a relationship. Besides, I’ve always found fulfillment in my independence.”
“Even with a successful career, it’s challenging for a woman to navigate alone. How do you intend to manage without a partner at home?”
“Ms. Lane, please don’t take our directness the wrong way. We genuinely care about your well-being. The gentlemen we’re recommending are highly regarded and sought after.
“It’s only because of our close relationship with Aunt Patricia that we’re bringing them to your attention. After all, finding good men nowadays is quite a challenge.”
Upon hearing this, Patricia interjected, “Alright, that’s enough. Women need to be self-reliant these days. After enduring a painful divorce, do you seriously expect Mia to jump back in and sacrifice everything just to please a man?”
The neighbors hesitated for a moment, their expression faltering. “You know, it might not be fair to generalize like that,” they began tentatively. “Wasn’t Ms. Lane in a happy marriage before? “Sometimes, differences in social backgrounds can complicate things. It’s important for Ms. Lane to find someone with a similar background to ensure a stable and fulfilling life.”
Patricia’s demeanor shifted, a touch of irritation creeping into her expression. “Given Mia’s exceptional qualities, who isn’t she compatible with?
“I can’t dictate her choices, but from my perspective, having a job, raising children, and finding happiness in life are what truly matter. These days, men aren’t always the most reliable,” she countered. At that moment, Mia gently nudged Patricia’s hand. “It’s getting late, we should head back now. The kids need to shower and get to bed,” she suggested, steering Patricia away from the gossiping group. As they walked away, Patricia offered Mia some advice, “Try not to take what those two say too seriously. They’re known for their loose tongues in the neighborhood, always ready to spread gossip. And those men they were talking about? Well, they’re hardly exemplary.
“One of them, just before getting married, had the nerve to demand his pregnant fianc¨¦e to sign a prenup, stripping her of any financial entitlements and denying her a share in their mortgaged house. Sadly, she felt pressured and decided to have an abortion.”
Mia’s eyes widened at the revelation. “Didn’t we hear something similar in the news before?”
“Quite possibly. The circumstances are sadly familiar. The woman had a promising future, but her partner’s family was unreasonable. Divorce was undoubtedly the right decision.
“Then there’s the other divorced man, a classic mama’s boy. He was caught cheating and even turned violent when his wife confronted him. It’s no surprise they ended up going their separate ways.
“Now he’s living it up, enjoying his decent job and savings. Ironically, it was his ex-wife who supported him financially while he pursued his Ph.D. He’s hardly someone to admire if you ask me.”
Mia couldn’t help but find the real-life drama more captivating than any fiction.
Seeing Patricia’s indignation, Mia offered a reassuring smile. “Their words won’t bother me.”