CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49: STARTING TOMORROW, YOU DON’T NEED TO COME ANYMORE

The next day.

Tanya Sinclair went downstairs and saw Aunt Lewis busy in the kitchen.

She walked over: "Aunt Lewis."

"Ma’am, you’re up." Aunt Lewis replied politely, not even turning her head to look at Tanya, still treating her as if she were blind, busy with the newly delivered bird’s nest in her hands.

Tanya leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, with a faint smile, "The bird’s nest looks good today."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Lewis’s hands suddenly paused, and when she turned around, she saw Tanya without her sunglasses, and her previously dull eyes were now much more focused, staring intently at her.

Aunt Lewis’s face turned pale, squeezing out a smile, "Ma’am, your eyes..."

"Oh, I saw a famous doctor yesterday, used some medicine, and they got better this morning."

So they only got better this morning...

Aunt Lewis’s heart settled, and she nonchalantly picked up where she left off, "Yes, this bird’s nest is the top grade from the garden sent by the old madam. It’s good for Caden and Joy as they are growing."

Tanya smiled, "By the way, Aunt Lewis, don’t you have two grandsons around Caden and Joy’s age? If there’s any bird’s nest left, bring some for them."

"No, no, no, that won’t do!" Aunt Lewis responded with righteousness, "How can I take things home? Mr. Hawthorne pays me well enough, thirty thousand a month! These are for Caden and Joy, my grandsons don’t have that fortune."

Watching her earnest demeanor, Tanya’s smile grew deeper, with a hint of meaning.

"There aren’t many as ’honest’ as you, Aunt Lewis."

Though she was smiling gently, Aunt Lewis inexplicably felt a chill down her spine.

Tanya didn’t say much more and turned to go upstairs to wake Joy.

Caden’s bed was empty.

Even at a young age, he was very disciplined and wouldn’t sleep in on weekends. He was in the basement gym working out with Vincent Hawthorne at the moment.

Joy opened her sleepy eyes and, seeing it was Tanya instead of Aunt Lewis, grew even grumpier and rolled on the bed, kicking the blanket in frustration.

Tanya neither rushed nor got angry, just stood patiently by the bed waiting for her to finish her tantrum.

Sure enough, it didn’t take long for Joy to tire herself out.

Seeing that Tanya was still there, she pouted but reluctantly let her pick out the day’s clothes.

"I want to wear the blue Princess Elsa dress from the second row of the wardrobe."

She had planned with Aunt Cindy to wear matching mother-daughter outfits today, and Aunt Cindy would also wear a blue dress.

Once dressed, Joy twirled happily in front of the mirror, her mood improving, even her expression towards Tanya softened somewhat.

"There’s a school event today, and I’ll be going to Marinus Park with Dad and Brother later," Joy said while watching Tanya do her hair through the mirror.

Worried Tanya would say she wanted to go too, Joy quickly added, "The school has a rule, only one adult can accompany us!"

Tanya’s hand momentarily paused while doing her hair; she didn’t need to look to know that Joy said the last sentence on purpose, afraid she would want to tag along too.

Tanya’s expression dimmed slightly, feeling a tinge of disappointment.

She knew Joy hadn’t accepted her yet, and pressing too hard would only backfire.

Moreover, she had other matters to attend to today.

"Okay, you three have fun then," Tanya said, forcing a nonchalant smile.

At the breakfast table, Joy ate quickly, urging Vincent Hawthorne to hurry up.

"Dad, hurry up so we can head out to Marinus Park!"

Vincent Hawthorne glanced at Tanya, who was pouring milk for Caden, about to say something, "Tanya..."

Tanya met his gaze and spoke first, "Joy told me the school rules only allow one parent to accompany them. You go ahead."

Vincent Hawthorne: "...Alright."

Upon hearing this, Caden, who was drinking milk, frowned behind the glass.

Why did Dad lie again?

Before leaving, Tanya worried that the kids might get cold playing outside, so she grabbed two jackets for them to take with them.

"No, no, no, the jacket you picked is so ugly!" Joy resisted, throwing it aside and running onto the car.

Aunt Cindy had said she would bring her a Princess Elsa shawl; she didn’t want this ugly jacket!

Tanya sighed softly and bent down to pick up the jacket Joy had tossed aside, but Caden’s small hand reached over first, picking up the jacket and holding it in his arms.

Tanya was slightly taken aback, "Caden..."

Caden took the one Tanya had prepared for him as well, a bit awkwardly but quickly uttered, "Thank you."

Tanya was momentarily stunned, then smiled.

"It’s me who should thank you, sweetheart."

Caden’s ears reddened, "Don’t call me sweetheart, I’m not a little kid anymore."

He was already five!

Caden turned and got into the car.

Through the car window, he saw Tanya still standing by the door, waving gently at them with a warm aura.

...Is this what a mom is?

Mom.

Caden silently mouthed the word, feeling a bit uncomfortable as goosebumps rose on his skin.

But, somehow, it wasn’t entirely disagreeable...

Actually, others in the Hawthorne family, including Aunt Cindy, called him sweetheart too, but it seemed different when this woman said it.

She was very gentle, and when her eyes rested on him and Joy, they were so tender that it seemed tears might fall at any moment.

"Brother, what’s wrong?" Joy noticed something odd with her brother and leaned over, seeing him holding the two jackets. Her little mouth immediately pouted high.

That bad woman must have forced Brother to take both jackets!

So annoying!

She angrily snatched the jackets from Caden, tossing them into the back seat.

Caden frowned, about to scold her, but Joy covered her ears first, indicating she wouldn’t listen, and turned her back.

Caden was helpless and let her be.

Vincent Hawthorne drove them to Marinus Park.

While waiting at a red light, he received a message from Jonah Rivers.

Jonah acted swiftly, already having procured a surveillance video from the corner near the Northwood University gate.

The date and time were shown on the video, where a black luxury car was parked at the entrance, capturing Tanya stepping out of it.

As soon as she got out, the car drove away without staying an extra second.

And the time matched what Yvonne Hawthorne had said.

In the footage, Tanya stood still for a moment and then walked out of the camera’s view.

Vincent Hawthorne put away his phone.

It seemed he had overthought things...

Inside the villa.

After sending off Vincent Hawthorne and the two children, the villa was left with just Tanya and Aunt Lewis.

Finishing her cleaning, Aunt Lewis was about to leave.

"Ma’am, I’ll be heading out now."

"Aunt Lewis," Tanya called her back. She sat on the sofa, took a sip of her tea, her tone chilly and detached, "Take all your things with you. Starting tomorrow, don’t come back."