The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback novel Chapter 118

Max leaned over and kissed Anne on the forehead, then reached for a storybook on the nightstand. “What story do you want to hear tonight?”

Anne snuggled against him, quiet and attentive as he started reading.

When the story ended, Anne spoke up. “Daddy?”

Max looked at her with gentle eyes. “What is it?”

She stared at him, her voice small. “Why don’t I have a mommy?”

Max’s hand paused on her cheek. His eyes grew somber.

“Paul, Randy and Mandy all have mommies. When other kids are sick, their mommies stay with them. But I never have a mommy with me.” Anne’s eyes started to fill with tears.

Before she turned three, the word “mommy” barely meant anything to Anne. Her dad, grandpa, and grandma loved her so much, she never really noticed anything missing. But as she got older and started preschool, having a mom started to matter more. She watched her friends with their moms. Paul, Randy and Mandy all had both parents. She watched them call for their moms, snuggle in their arms, and she started to wonder. Why didn’t she have one?

At the hospital today, another kid was sick. Both parents were there. For Anne, it was just her dad. It had always been just her dad.

Being sick makes anyone emotional, especially kids.

Looking at his daughter’s watery eyes, Max felt his heart sink. He’d been expecting this question, sooner or later. Kids grow up, and some questions are just bound to come.

He stroked her hair. “You do have a mommy, Anne.”

Anne’s eyes went wide. “Then where is she? Why isn’t she here with me?”

“Mommy is very far away right now. If you’re a good girl, she will come back.”

Tatiana took Anne into her arms and noticed the locket around her neck. She paused for a second, thoughtful.

She remembered that yesterday at the hospital, Anne had spent a long time watching another family nearby. The little girl was growing up, becoming more aware of the world.

Tatiana glanced at her son but didn’t say anything.

At West Hill Residence, Felicia was up early, out for a run. Luke was waiting at her door when she came out, waving at her with a smile.

He’d bought a house in the neighborhood when it first opened, after talking it over with Greg. Now that Luke lived nearby, he often went over to Greg’s place for meals.

After their run, Luke didn’t hesitate to stick around for breakfast.