Chapter 40 Angry for No Apparent Reason
Daisy watched the self-assured look on Shawn’s face and couldn’t suppress a fond smile.
"Alright, alright, you've got this. I won't worry too much then." She patted Shawn on the shoulder. "Go on, take good care of your Marcus. Leave Sophie to me, don't worry."
Shawn flashed a wide grin, spun around, and dashed off. After a few steps he paused, turned back, and formed a heart shape with his hands directed at her.
Daisy smiled and shook her head, then turned back to the hospital room.
Inside, the two little girls were already playing together.
Luna was showing Sophie a game on her tablet, their little heads close together, whispering and giggling, bursting into laughter from time to time.
Vincent rested against the headboard with his eyes closed, his breathing even and calm, as if asleep.
Daisy tiptoed over, pulled the blanket up to cover his exposed arm, and touched his forehead. He still had a slight fever, but it wasn't too bad. His breathing was steady and his expression relaxed.
She stood there for a long moment, simply watching him.
It was funny when she thought about it, after all these years of marriage, Daisy rarely saw Vincent asleep. They basically slept in separate rooms, and even throughout the day, they didn't see each other much.
So this was what he looked like when sleeping, all the coldness and guardedness gone, breathing slowly, hair falling softly over his face. He actually looked quite... well-behaved.
Her mind drifted back to the bathroom earlier, when he had opened his eyes and looked straight at her. That gaze had seemed to pierce through every hidden corner of her thoughts, sending an unexpected flutter through her chest.
She quickly shook her head, pushing away the unsettling feelings that made her feel exposed and unsteady!
"Mommy."
Luna's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Daisy snapped back and looked at her daughter.
"Mommy, where is Sophie going to sleep tonight?" Luna asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Can she stay at our house?"
Daisy glanced instinctively at Sophie. The little girl was watching her too, a blend of hope and uncertainty in her expression.
"Sophie, where would you like to stay?” Daisy asked gently.
Sophie answered in a near-whisper, “Auntie told me to stay wherever you do."
"Mommy, I want Sophie to stay with me. Can you come home too?" Luna grabbed Daisy's hand and swung it back and forth pleadingly.
Daisy considered it. The laboratory was still closed, so she had no pressing work. Besides, the temporary place she was staying in was cramped and far from ideal, Sophie might not feel comfortable there.
"Alright, then Sophie, I'll take you to stay at Luna's house tonight."
Luna immediately cheered, "Yay! Sophie can play with me!"
Sophie also smiled, but she was still shy, just pressing her lips together and sneaking a glance at Daisy.
By evening Vincent’s condition had improved enough that he no longer required constant supervision, so Daisy gathered Luna and Sophie and took them home.
Vanessa stopped by once during that time. As usual she tried to chat with Luna, but the little girl was too thrilled about her new playmate to pay much attention.
After being politely ignored, Vanessa attempted to speak with Sophie , but Sophie was introverted and hid behind Daisy when she saw her. Having been snubbed twice, Vanessa didn't stay long before leaving.
When they arrived home, Luna took on the role of enthusiastic host. She tugged Sophie inside and flopped dramatically onto the sofa.
"Mommy, I’m so thirsty after that long car ride, can I have some iced coconut juice."
"Coming right up." Daisy responded, then asked Sophie, "Sophie, what would you like to drink?"
Sophie said softly, "Do you have orange juice?"
"Of course, just a moment."
Sophie nodded and sat neatlyon the sofa, hands on her knees, back straight as a board, looking exactly like a student being punished by the teacher.
A short while later Daisy returned with a bottle of orange juice in one hand and a bottle of ice water in the other.
"I’m sorryLuna, we're out of iced coconut juice at home. I'll have someone go buy some later, okay?"
Luna looked at the bottle of water and her expression immediately changed. She kicked her legs around and complained, "Mommy's playing favorites! How come when I want coconut juice there isn't any, but when she wants orange juice there is? I want orange juice too!"
Daisy felt a headache coming on. "Luna, you forgot, you're allergic to orange juice."
"Then I want Sophie to drink ice water with me!" Luna puffed up her cheeks, her eyes wide and round.
"Luna, Sophie is our guest, you can’t..." Before Daisy could finish, Sophie spoke up in her gentle voice. “It’s alright. I can drink ice water too, so Luna won’t feel left out."
Looking at the little girl's timid expression and soft voice, Daisy's heart melted completely.
She lifted Sophie into her arms and held her close. "How can you be so thoughtful, little Sophie? This is your first night here, how could I let you be treated unfairly?"
"Your auntie is Mommy's best friend. In my house, you should feel just like you're in your own home."
She picked up the orange juice, opened the cap, and handed it to Sophie.
Sophie was stunned for a moment, then gently kissed Daisy on the cheek. "You're so nice. You're even nicer to me than my mom and dad."
Daisy was slightly taken aback, then said, "Sophie, you shouldn't say that. Your mom and dad love you more than anyone in the world. They don't have much time to spend with you because they want to give you a better life."
"Look at this beautiful princess dress, your mom must have chosen it for you, right?"
But Sophie lowered her eyes sadly. "The dress was bought by Auntie. Mom and Dad are very busy, but even when they're home they never pay attention to me or hug me."
"The nanny takes care of me, but she just lets me play by myself..." After saying this, her little hand tentatively touched Daisy. "Can you hug me more often?"
Daisy's maternal love was completely overflowing for this poor, adorable little girl!
She immediately pulled Sophie into her arms and kissed her, then looked into her eyes seriously. "From now on, when little Sophie feels lonely, you can come find me. Luna will play with you too."
"Right, Luna?" Daisy said, looking at Luna.
Luna threw the water bottle hard on the floor, stood up and shouted at Daisy, "I don't like you anymore!"
Then she turned and ran back to her room.
She was so angry.
She couldn't even explain what was wrong with her. In the car earlier, she had really liked Sophie, but now she felt that girl was so annoying.
So annoying!
Watching her mom hold Sophie like that, Luna felt a fire burning in her chest.
How could Mommy hug another child? Wasn't Mommy supposed to love her the most? Why was she hugging and kissing Sophie instead of hugging and kissing her?
Luna couldn’t figure out why she felt this way. She only knew one thing for certain: that girl named Sophie was a big meanie!