Daniel's relief manifested in a warm smile. "I'll go make it then!"
Maisie softly interjected, catching him off guard, "Let me do it. I think... you haven't been in the kitchen much, so let
me handle it."
Daniel was momentarily stunned. He hesitated before allowing Maisie to head to the kitchen. She expertly tied on
an apron, checked the fridge, gathered ingredients, and began bustling around the stove.
Daniel stood awkwardly by the kitchen door. Despite being a grown man, he felt unsure. He didn't know whether to
offer help or how to assist, yet he cherished this moment deeply.
In no time, Maisie prepared breakfast—soup, warm milk, chicken sandwiches, sausages, and eggs. It mirrored
every meal she had cooked for him before.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"What are you standing there for?" Maisie handed him cutlery. "Sit down and eat."
"Mm..."
"Your stomach's weak. Start with some soup," she said softly. "If we have time, I can bake you some bread. I
remember you liked sweet ones, but they're too sugary and bad for your health. I'll make a low- sugar version that
you quite like."
"Yes, of course, I like it!" Daniel laughed childishly and blurted, "There's next time if we don't have enough time this
time!"
After saying that, he paused, thinking he said the wrong thing, and chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Maybe... there
won't be a next time."
After a moment of silence, Maisie replied, "Next time, I'll bake it at home and bring it to you."
"What?"
She glanced at him, then lowered her head. "Hurry and eat. Don't let it get cold!"
Daniel was taken aback for a moment. He suddenly grinned foolishly, feeling his appetite surge.
Although they didn't say much, the atmosphere resembled that of an old married couple who had spent years
together. One understood the other's taste, and the other knew one's habits.
Time flowed quietly at that moment, morning light streaming through the window onto the dining table. They sat
facing each other, quietly having breakfast.
This was what Daniel had been longing for.
His nose felt a bit tingly. He occasionally glanced at her and then laughed to himself.
After a while, Maisie spoke first. "Daniel, do you have time later?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
He didn't hesitate. "Yes!"
"Can you take me back... to the old house?"
He paused but heard her murmur, "I want to bring flowers for Curtisa.
"I think I've... let it all go already... I hope Curtisa can, too."
Maisie exhaled deeply, looking up at him. She wore a smile, clean and unburdened.
"You know, I kept having the same dream—a child crying, coming from that house. Later, I thought maybe she was
blaming us for not protecting her.
"So, I want to tell our daughter that her dad didn't abandon her or cause her death... Her dad has always been
seeking the culprit. I also want to tell her that her dad is a very responsible man. All these things happened by
chance."
"Maisie..." Daniel held her hand, his voice slightly choked. "Our daughter won't blame us. I believe that one day,
she'll come back to us."