Not long after, an elderly woman with a soft, round figure came out of the house, her face lighting up with a joyful smile.
“Miss Riley, is that you, Lottle?”
Charlotte paused<b>, </b>surprised. “Do you know me?”
The old <b>woman </b>walked up to her, eps clouded with age but glistening with tears. Emotion welled in her voice. “You’ve grown so much. Lean’t believe how tall you
Charlotte’s lips parted, still confused.
Sean stepped in “She’s the one who <b>taught </b>me to cook”
Charlotte tumed to look at him.
He exined gently, “<b>This </b>is Mrs. Wilson. She <b>used </b>to work as a housekeeper for the Sullivans. Your mom learned to cook from her.”
Mrs. Wilson looked at charlotte with tears. joy streaming down her face. “You really are Lottie, You have your mother’s eyes. I used to hold you when you were
The mention of her mother made Charlotte’s throat tighten, her eyes <b>suddenly </b>misty, “<b>Yes</b><b>, </b>I’m Lottle. I came <b>to </b>see you, Mrs. Wilson.”
Toh,e in,e in.” Mrs. Wilson ushered them into the house warmly. <b>“</b>Hey, Joel Go into town <b>and </b>pick up some groceries. Get the good stuff. I’m cooking <b>for </b>Mr. Jasper and Lottle today”
“On!” the man called back and climbed onto an old scooter.
Mrs. Wilson led Charlotte tride, chatting as they walked. She spoke of old times, sharing stories about Charlotte’s mother, Sar, from when she was young.
Only then did Charlotte leam that Sue <b>hadn’t </b>a always been <b>so </b>good in the kitchen. She had taught herself to cook just to win over Desmond
Her mom, who had once lived a pampered life without ever lifting a finger<b>, </b><b>had </b>been willing to stand over a hut stove, all for love.
The stories stimed something bittersweet in Charlotte’s heart.
She remembered <b>her </b>parents being deeply in love. Even after her mother passed, Desmond had sunk into depression for a long time.
If he <b>had </b>loved her so much, then why had he remarried only two yearster? And to her mother’s best <b>friend</b>, no less?
She had met na York a few times as a child. Xena didn’t live in Jersey City, so their visits were rare, but Charlotte had liked her <b>back </b>then. Xena always brought her pretty dresses and oven little?kes.
But after Xena married her father, everything changed. Whatever affection Charlotte once had for her vanished overnight.
To be <b>fair</b>, Xena <b>had </b>treated her well she gave Charlotte the best of everything–food, clothes, and education. But no matter what she did, Charlotte simply couldn’t bring herself to like her
She hesitated, then turned to <b>Mrs. </b>Wilson. “Did <b>you </b><b>know </b>xena <b>York</b>?”
Mrs. Wilson thought for a moment. “You mean the one who was so close to your mother? Yes, I ber her. She used to <b>visit </b><b>a </b>lot before your mom got married. They were college friends -Very close.”
Charlotte’s expression darkened. “She’s my stepmother now.
<b>Mes</b>. Wilson went quiet, trowning slightly as she recalled something.
Finally, she said, “I remember, before your mom passed, Xenae to see her at the hospital more than once, I visited one <b>day </b>and <b>overheard </b>something, Your mom told your dad that if he ever remarried, she hoped it would be to Xena. She said she trusted her and didn’t want you to grow <b>up </b>without a mother’s love.”
Charlotte’s face went <b>pale</b><b>, </b><b>a </b>glit ache blooming <b>in </b>her chest.
So her father marrying Xena <b>had </b>been her mother’s dying wish?
Because she had wanted someone to Lalue care of Charlotte when she was gone? Someone to love her like she would have?
Her <b>eyes </b>burned,shes fluttering as she blinked back tears. She said nothing more
<b>Sean </b>tracked <b>out </b>and gently took her <b>hand</b>, <b>his </b><b>rough </b>thumb brushing softly <b>across </b>her palm
That aftemoon, Mrs. Wilson cooked a full table <b>of </b>dishes.
Every bite <b>tasted </b>exactly <b>like </b><b>Sue’s </b><b>cooking</b>.