Sheila's heart leaped into her throat.
What did Edmond mean by that?
If Tilly agreed to go with her, would he actually let it happen?
She couldn't help but look at Tilly.
Tilly reached out toward Sheila. "Yes, yes!"
Unable to hold back, Sheila took two steps forward, deliberately ignoring Edmond's face as she gently took the little girl from his arms.
Edmond's voice was cold. "Only for one night. I'll send someone to pick her up tomorrow."
"Okay." A surge of joy rushed through Sheila. "...Thank you."
She hadn't expected him to actually agree.
"Grab her things and have the driver drop you off."
Terrified he would change his mind, Sheila hurriedly gathered Tilly's belongings and rushed out.
On the way back, she called Cecil.
"I'm on my way back."
Cecil's tone was noticeably lighter. "That's more like it. I have a few more days of work, and once I'm done, we'll celebrate the New Year together."
"Okay," Sheila agreed softly.
Tilly accompanied Sheila back to her dorm.
Though the space wasn't large, everything was new and exciting to the little girl.
Worried about her injured leg, Sheila made sure Tilly stayed put. The two of them snuggled in bed, reading a picture book together.
Sheila had absolutely no intention of prying into the child's true parentage.
Setting aside the fact that Tilly was probably too young to even know.
Even if she did know who her mother was, Sheila didn't want to ask.
All she wanted was to shower this child with unconditional love and affection.
Tilly had a very strict routine, so by nine o'clock, she was already yawning constantly.
Sheila helped her get washed up and coaxed her to sleep.
Just as she sat on the edge of the bed researching something on her phone, it buzzed.
Afraid of waking the sleeping child, she quickly muted it.
When she checked the screen, she was shocked to see a message from Edmond.


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