Chapter 331
Grace finished her deliveries and ate a small lunch at two o'clock. Kyla Corbyn noticed. "What's wrong? You haven't eaten much. Don't you like today's dishes?" At noon, everyone in the small restaurant enjoyed a chef-prepared meal together.
"No, I think I ate too much this morning before work," Grace replied, glancing at Nelson. "Why aren't you eating? I'll feed Nelson some fruit; I'm full."
She peeled and sliced an apple, feeding small pieces to Nelson. He obediently ate, occasionally smiling at her. Afterward, he grew sleepy, yawning and gesturing for a hug. Grace held him close and hummed softly, lulling him to sleep. Though he couldn't hear, his tiny fingers brushed her lips as if trying to sense her voice.
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at him. "Why can't such a sweet child hear?" she thought. "God is sometimes so cruel." She hoped a future cochlear implant would allow him to hear the world, preventing this regret from following him.
"I'll take him to his room," Mrs. Corbyn said, gently taking Nelson from Grace.
Kyla Corbyn lived with her mother and Nelson in a small house behind the restaurant. "You'll be a good mother someday, Grace," Kyla said.
A good mother… Grace offered a faint smile, but bitterness filled her heart. Prison injuries had damaged her womb, making conception difficult, if not impossible.
By three o'clock, new delivery orders arrived. The address and recipient caused her to frown: her old law firm, and the order was from Andrea Schwartz.
Remembering their last encounter and Andrea's mocking comments about her current situation, Grace suspected this was intentional. However, she had already endured worse, so it didn't bother her.
She took the prepared order and left on her electric bike. At the law firm, the receptionist said, "Hold on, Grace. Andrea Schwartz wants to speak with you when you arrive." The receptionist placed an internal call.
Moments later, Andrea Schwartz emerged, impeccably dressed and wearing a smug smirk. "You're delivering food, Grace! I couldn't believe it when I heard yesterday!" she exclaimed, leaving Grace's order on the reception desk before warmly taking her hand, as if they were close friends.