Chapter 74
"Ma'am, please don't treat your daughter like this."
I gathered my courage and took a step forward, looking straight at the middle-aged woman.
The woman narrowed her eyes and looked me up and down with an unfriendly expression. "Who are you? What right do you have to interfere with me and my daughter?"
I shook my head and said, "I'm just one of her customers."
A hint of contempt flashed in the woman's eyes. She snorted coldly and waved her hand at me impatiently. "This has nothing to do with you. Just take what you bought and leave."
The woman's rude attitude completely angered me.
I stepped forward and stood in front of the little girl, chin up, my voice firm. "Even if you're her mother, you have no right to take away what she's earned."
I was protecting this little girl just like I was protecting my younger self.
The woman's face turned cold, and she seemed about to say something.
Athena stepped forward.
Although she was dressed as a servant, her presence was stronger than both mine and Nina's, immediately silencing the middle-aged woman.
Athena stared at the woman quietly and spoke slowly with an unfriendly tone. "You'd better apologize to my lady, or the Mafia won't let you off."
At the mention of the Mafia, the woman's face changed dramatically. She trembled and shakily took a step back.
"Who are you trying to scare? How could this girl have anything to do with the Mafia?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Athena raised her gun, the dark barrel pointing at the woman's forehead.
If Athena pulled the trigger, she would become a corpse in the next second.
The woman screamed, dropped the money in her hand, and fled the scene in panic.
I watched her retreating figure, and after making sure she was gone, I turned around, crouched down, and gently stroked the little girl's hair.
There was a hint of fear in her eyes.
I thought it was my status that scared her.
I sighed helplessly, took out five hundred dollars from my wallet, and pressed it into her hand.
I didn't say anything, just patted her head again.
Just as I was about to turn and leave, someone grabbed my hand.
I looked back and saw it was the little girl.
She gathered her courage, held my hand, and said sincerely, "Thank you. I'll pay you back."
I showed her a gentle smile. "This is what you deserve. You want to change your life through your own efforts. This is a reward for the brave."
With that, I took Nina's hand and left.
When I got in the car, I felt wonderful.
Not only because I helped that little girl, but also because I felt I had helped someone with the same fate as mine.
Nina looked at the smile on my face and teased, "You look very happy."
I nodded at her. "Remember what we once said? If we had money, we would open a welfare home to help more people like us. I thought that dream would never come true, but now it seems like a good idea."
But for that, I'd need to ask Kane's opinion.
Back at the manor, I rewrapped the giant rabbit I bought and carefully wrote a greeting card.
I thought Aunt Sophie would be very happy to receive this gift.
That night I fell asleep holding the gift, not even knowing when Kane came back.
Kane looked at my peaceful sleeping face, hesitated for a moment, then turned and left.
He planned to get some water first, handle some work matters, and then go back to sleep.
After all, he thought his dear little bride was still awake.
Kane walked to the hall and saw Nina eating fruit.
Nina also saw Kane. She stood up somewhat panicked and awkwardly greeted him.
Every previous encounter with Kane had Sonya present.
Now facing Kane alone, she felt nervous and at a loss.
Kane nodded faintly.
Just as he was about to ask a servant to make him some hot soup, he heard Nina gather her courage and call out to him, "Mr. Moretti, can we talk?"
Kane turned around, somewhat surprised.
He looked at the girl before him, not knowing what they had to talk about.
Seeing Kane's furrowed brow, Nina quickly added, "It's about Sonya's wish."
Kane's brow relaxed.
If it was related to Sonya, he was willing to listen.
Seeing Kane sit down on the nearby sofa, Nina immediately walked over.
But she didn't dare sit down. She just nervously fidgeted with her fingers and spoke, "This afternoon, Sonya helped a child. We remembered our old dream. Sonya really wants to start a welfare home, but she definitely doesn't have enough money."
Kane raised an eyebrow, looked at Nina, his lips still curved in a cold arc. "You want me to help her open this welfare home?"
Nina felt inexplicably nervous.
Kane was like a top predator, full of oppressive presence.
Nina lowered her head somewhat awkwardly. She secretly regretted this impulsive move.
Just as she was about to apologize, Kane stood up. "I'll take care of this. Don't tell her yet. Let's make it a surprise for her."
Hearing Kane's words, Nina looked up with joy.
She clasped her hands together, her eyes full of excitement.
This way, Sonya would be very happy too, right?
Early the next morning, when I woke up, I found myself tightly embraced in Kane's arms.
The moment I opened my eyes, Kane woke up too.
His eyes were clear and alert, showing no signs of just waking up.
I even wondered if Kane had slept at all.
I blinked and greeted him, "Good morning, Mr. Moretti."
Kane pulled me into his arms, his voice somewhat husky. "We're married now, dear. Perhaps you should call me something else, like... husband."
My ears turned red.
Although the term sounded sweet, I just couldn't say it.
Kane waited for a long time without hearing me call him that, and somewhat dissatisfied, he pulled me out of his embrace.
But when his eyes met my shy expression, he sighed helplessly. "Alright, I hope one day I'll hear you call me husband."
Kane's concession surprised me. I looked at him, the corners of my mouth slightly upturned.
After breakfast, I was ready to leave for Sophie's party.
I was so eager to see Sophie that I didn't notice Kane giving Athena a look behind me.
I got in the car and watched the street scenes gradually become familiar.
My eyes couldn't help but redden.
Although I hadn't lived here with my mother for long, this was where I had truly felt happiness.
The car slowly stopped outside the community center.
From a distance, I could see Aunt Sophie in a blue dress preparing refreshments.
She was still the same as before, with kindness and warmth in her eyes and smile.
I couldn't wait to jump out of the car with the gift and run toward her.