Xyliana felt out of place, thinking she no longer had the right to sit next to Roxanne. After all, Rosalie was the real daughter. “Come sit here, Rosalie,” Xyliana said, ready to move.
415
Noticing the odd tone, Rosalie politely declined. “No need. You’ve always sat there, so no reason to change. I’m good here,” she said, pulling out a chair next to Zaki and sitting down.
Zaki smiled as Rosalie sat down and handed her a glass of water. He knew Rosalie wasn’t the type to fuss over seats with Xyliana.
Rosalie took the water with a knowing smile, trying to show Xyliana she wasn’t here to take her spot; she was just coming home, hoping Xyliana wouldn’t read into it.
Sophia held Xyliana’s arm, keeping her from leaving. “Xyliana, Rosalie said it’s fine. Sit. We’re all family. Zachary and Roxanne said you’re both their daughters, and that won’t change,” Sophia said, reminding Rosalie that Xyliana still mattered in this family.
Rosalie didn’t even look Sophia’s way, just calmly sipped her water.
Roxanne got what Xyliana was saying. With Sophia’s comment, Roxanne had to stay neutral. She didn’t want to cause a rift between Xyliana and Rosalie.
Zachary stayed quiet. Their family had never had disputes like this, not even as a joke. He never thought Xyliana, who was usually easygoing, would care about where she sat.
Zachary sighed in his heart, ‘Rosalie’s return has clearly hurt Xyliana, making her sensitive, While caring for Rosalie, we also have to watch out for Xyliana’s feelings.
Since Rosalie had sat down, Roxanne relaxed, seeing she had no intention of competing with Xyliana. Roxanne defused the situation by saying, “It doesn’t matter where you sit. Our table’s big enough, so no worries about seats.”
“Rosalie, what do you like to eat?” Roxanne asked, sitting next to Rosalie instead of her usual spot.
Xyliana noticed that even though Roxanne said seats didn’t matter, she didn’t sit by her but chose the seat next to Rosalie. Normally, Roxanne would sit by her to help during meals.
At that moment, Roxanne was so focused on Rosalie that she didn’t even ask Xyliana what she liked to eat. Xyliana felt a bitter sadness she couldn’t put into words. She had to admit it, even if she didn’t want to–Roxanne’s love for Rosalie had surpassed her own..
Nobody seemed to notice Xyliana’s hurt expression.
Rosalie looked at Roxanne and said simply, “Just some porridge and eggs, please.”
“Sure thing, I’ll get that for you,” Roxanne replied with a warm smile, grabbing a spoon to serve Rosalie right away.
Xyliana watched as the scene that used to be hers played out with Rosalie. It was hard for her to get used to. Roxanne’s preference for Rosalie was more than she’d ever experienced.
Before, Xyliana was happy just being served food. Now, Roxanne was serving Rosalie porridge and even peeling eggs for her. It was more intimate and caring than anything she’d ever known.
The food in front of Xyliana suddenly lost its flavor/She took a few bites, then, feeling uneasy, put her fork down. “Dad, Mom, I’ve been competing overseas and haven’t been to the office. You all enjoy your meal, I’m gonna head out.”
After saying that, Xyliana looked at Sophia, who was still eating, and said, “Sophia, you’re probably full too, right? Let’s go.”
“What? I just started…” Sophia’s eyes widened in surprise. She’d just begun eating the abalone porridge, a rare treat at her home, and now they had to
leave.
But since Xyliana had already left, Sophia didn’t want to stay alone. She said goodbye to Roxanne and Zachary, “I’m done too, so I’ll head out now.”
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12:11 Set, Iz Jul
Sat, 12 Jul
Chapter 15
Roxanne noticed Xyliana hadn’t eaten much and asked with concern, “Xyliana, are you full?“.
“I’m good,” Xyliana replied, grabbing her bag and heading for the door.
“Take your time. Let the driver take you,” Zachary offered, noticing Xyliana’s haste.
Rosalie saw Xyliana’s actions and understood her discomfort, which was why she couldn’t eat.
Even Zaki stayed quiet, calmly eating his meal.
Roxanne exchanged glances with Zachary, and then said to Rosalie, “Eat up, Rosalie. You don’t have to rush like Xyliana. She has a company to manage, so she’s in a bigger hurry.”
Although Xyliana was still in school, she was a top student who finished college early. She started interning young, and for her birthday, Zachary gave her a company, which she had been managing well.
“I’m not in a rush, Mom. You should eat too. I can peel it myself,” Rosalie said, watching Roxanne carefully peel the egg for her. Little acts of care like this were new to her.
With the Moreno family, not being told to peel their own eggs was a relief. But Roxanne did it with such warmth that Rosalie felt overwhelmed by the affection. With the Morenos, never in her wildest dreams would they care for her like this.
Roxanne just smiled and said, “It’s no big deal. I’ve never peeled an egg for you before. Even though you’re grown up, I should do it at least this once when you’re home.”
As Roxanne peeled the egg, she felt regret for not being there for Rosalie’s childhood. She wondered if anyone had ever spoiled her like this.
Handing the peeled egg to Rosalie, Roxanne looked at Rosalie with tender eyes, wanting to ask about her childhood but unsure where to start, afraid of bringing up sad memories.
Eating an egg peeled by her mom for the first time, Rosalie thought it tasted much better than usual. Without thinking, she said, “Mom, your peeled egg is really delicious.”
Hearing Rosalie’s words, Roxanne’s eyes welled up with tears. She knew what that comment meant; it seemed like no one had ever peeled an egg for her daughter before.
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