Chapter 323
“No, filate insisted. You love me. I know you do!
What is there to love about you now, flake? 1 challenged. “Your dark extremes? Your controlling nature? The person you se berene hiss nothing movie loving
1 explained that I occasionally stayed at Seaside Manor only for Nora’s sake.
I’m not forcing you to stay, Blake argued. “But if I don’t, you’ll leave. Please don’t go. Give me one month to prove my feelings. If after that month you stil think I’m a complete jerk, I promise I won’t bother you again, and you can take Nora with you.“
I sighed. “If that’s what you want, then do it, I conceded tiredly.
Later that evening, Nora returned home. I carried her upstairs, showing her the things we’d brought from the apartment. Her face lit up with delight.
Blake crouched beside Nora, encouraging her to kiss both her parents. At first, she shyly hid in Blake’s arms, but after he demonstrated by kissing her cheek she gave him a quick peck.
I was surprised, my vision blurring with unexpected emotion as I noticed how much Nora’s eyes resembled Blake’s. He brought her to me, and she kissed my cheek too. Blake encouraged her, telling her not to be afraid to show affection.
I quietly slipped away, giving them space together. As I left, I remembered Blake’s request for one month to prove himself, with the promise that I could take Nora if he failed.
Blake is going to lose, I thought to myself.
That night, Blake cooked dinner for us. Nora watched him from my lap as he worked in the kitchen.
During dinner, Blake served me a perfectly grilled piece of chicken, which I cut into tiny pieces for Nora.
“You should eat too,” Blake said, placing a scoop of mashed potatoes on my plate. “Let me hold Nora while you eat.”
“No need,” I replied curtly. “I’ll finish feeding her first.
Blake lowered his voice. “You’ve been through so much raising her alone.”
His words brought tears to my eyes as I remembered those early struggles.
He reached for my hand. “I’ll take care of everything from now on.”
Though touched, I reminded myself I no longer needed his support. I pulled my hand away and passed Nora to him. “You feed her. I’m full.”
Later, I worked on my laptop in the backyard. Blake joined me, announcing Nora had finished dinner.
“Thank you for bringing Nora into my life,” he said softly. “When I first learned she was mine, I was overwhelmed with emotion.”
“I’ve arranged for a medical team to create a specialized treatment plan for Nora,” he continued. “We’ll go to the hospital next week.”
“Fine,” I replied flatly. “I’ll go, since it concerns Nora.”
Then I walked away without looking back.
Blake caught up and grabbed my arm. “Anna, don’t go back to Nora’s room, tonight. Sleep somewhere else.” He suggested Martha could watch Nora, adding
that we should treat her like a normal child.
a
normal
child?”
“A normal child?” I asked, shocked. “How exactly am I supposed to treat her like
I challenged his understanding of Nora, listing her sensitivities and special needs.
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Chapter J23
Blake lowered his head, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Maybe Nora’s condition is different from what I experienced.
“No need to apologize, I replied coldly. “You have too many things to apologize for too many to count?
Blake blocked my path, begging me to give him a chance to make amends,
“We should keep our distance, I stated firmly.
Ignoring my words, Blake wrapped his arms around my waist.
I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself,” he murmured. “Remember this spot? We kissed here during the snowfall…”
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