CHAPTER 6: CHAPTER 6: STRANGE BEDFELLOWS, DIFFERENT DREAMS

The next day.

Tanya Sinclair woke up very early, she wanted to personally wake her two darlings, kiss them, have breakfast with them, and then see them off to school.

Just like all mothers do.

During the five years she was bedridden, she clung desperately to this fantasy.

Unfortunately, her legs were still not fully functional, and she had to rely on Vincent Hawthorne’s help.

Tanya patiently waited until Vincent came out of the bathroom; he had a habit of showering in the morning.

"Vincent, can you help me pick out an outfit from the wardrobe that Caden and Joy will like?" Tanya’s face was adorned with a sweet and hopeful smile, "Once I change, would you take me to wake them up?"

She had missed five years of her darlings’ lives and needed to slowly integrate herself.

She wanted Caden and Joy to know how much she loved them and that she would never leave them again.

Vincent paused and walked toward her.

Tanya caught the scent of his body wash, sweet with a fruity fragrance that was clearly one a girl would like.

A hint of chill appeared in Tanya’s eyes.

She remembered Vincent used to only use a sandalwood-scented body wash. Once, when it was sold out, she had replaced it with a different scent on her own.

Vincent said nothing at the time, but the next day, she saw the unopened bottle in the bathroom trash can...

Now, for Cindy Lynn, was he even willing to change his habits?

"Tanya," Vincent’s gentle voice, as always, pulled her out of her thoughts. He touched her face, somewhat apologetically, "Actually, the two kids... especially Joy, she’s always been timid. Last night, she whispered to me that she’s very intimidated by the way you are now."

Tanya’s smile froze.

"But I am their biological mother..."

"Of course, no one can change that." Vincent comforted softly, "What I mean is, you need to rest now. When your legs are fully recovered, it won’t be too late to spend time with Caden and Joy."

Tanya was unwilling: "But..."

Vincent sighed lightly, looking troubled, and interrupted her lowly, "Tanya, you’ve been absent for five years, after all. To the children, you seem more like a stranger now. Give them some time."

Tanya genuinely wanted to slap that hypocritical face of Vincent!

If Vincent really regarded her as his wife and the children’s mother, he could surely tell them over those five years how much she loved them, that she had become a vegetative state for their safe birth!

Caden and Joy were of her flesh and blood, and she did not believe that if they knew this, her children would still fear and resist her like this!

But Vincent obviously did nothing, and he even allowed that wench Cindy Lynn to take advantage and replace the place of their biological mother in the children’s hearts!

Tanya gripped her thigh under the blanket to control her near-collapsing emotions.

"Okay, I will do as you say." Tanya forced a smile, looking compliant.

Vincent was very pleased with her obedience: "Good girl."

This tone, akin to praising pet cats and dogs, made Tanya feel nauseous.

Vincent kissed her forehead and promised, "I’ll also have a good talk with Caden and Joy, so they’ll accept you as soon as possible."

Tanya’s empty eyes turned to him and showed a grateful smile: "Honey, you’re so kind."

Vincent gazed at her silently, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

After a while, he spoke, with a tone nonchalant.

"I’ll go wake the two darlings up."

When he reached the door, Vincent suddenly remembered something and turned back: "Oh, I contacted Aunt Lewis. She’ll come over to take care of you later. Aunt Lewis has been a housekeeper at home for two years and is very responsible. You can just tell her what you need."

Tanya nodded obediently, "Okay."

After the door closed, the tenderness on Tanya’s face completely faded, leaving her eyes sharp and icy.

She had a hunch that Vincent didn’t really want her to get close to the two children.

And this Aunt Lewis, rather than saying she’s here to take care of her, it’s more like she’s here to watch over her...

The downstairs dining room.

Caden and Joy sat side by side having breakfast, and Caden occasionally glanced back toward the stairs.

He hesitated, but ultimately couldn’t hold it back and spoke, "Dad."

"Hmm?" Vincent, who was checking messages on his phone, lifted his eyes.

Caden bit his lip, feeling awkward, not quite used to calling someone Mom.

"Why didn’t she come down to have breakfast with us?"

This morning, he had especially found the coolest plaid jacket to wear, put on a tie, and even sprayed some nice fragrance.

He thought, even though that woman couldn’t see it, he could begrudgingly let her hold him for a while and even let her feel his tie...

But that woman didn’t show up!

Caden, who still couldn’t hide his emotions, was visibly disappointed.

Vincent noticed his expression but remained expressionless, "Caden, Mom just got out of the hospital. She needs rest the most right now. Promise Dad you won’t disturb her, okay?"

"Okay..." Caden responded with low spirits and pouted, "I didn’t really want to have breakfast with her anyway."

Joy, on the other hand, was carefree: "Dad, I’m full now. When is Mommy Cindy coming to take us to school?"

"She’s not coming today," Vincent said flatly, "only Dad will take you to school."

"Huh?" Joy was displeased, "That’s so disappointing..."

Vincent wiped his mouth and got up, "Alright, it’s about time. Get your backpacks, Dad’s going to start the car."After Vincent left the dining table, Caden turned and lectured Joy.

"Joy, you can’t call Aunt Cindy Mommy anymore, do you hear me?" He earnestly reminded Joy, "Our mother has come back. If she hears you calling another woman Mommy, she’ll be sad."

Joy pouted, "But I just like Mommy Cindy, I don’t like that woman, I don’t want her to be my mom!"

Caden puffed up his cheeks and frowned, calling her by her full name, "Joy Hawthorne."

Joy was most afraid when her brother got angry. She stuck out her tongue, unwillingly, "Okay, fine, I’ll make sure not to call Mommy Cindy that in front of that woman."

Caden reluctantly agreed, and while grabbing his backpack, Joy secretly used her watch to call Cindy Lynn, who answered immediately.

"Joy dear."

"Mommy Cindy, why aren’t you coming to take me to school today?" Joy asked in a low voice.

Cindy Lynn was silent for a moment, then reluctantly said, "I’m sorry, Joy dear. Your real mommy has come back. Mommy Cindy won’t be able to take you anymore. Otherwise, she’ll be upset."

After hearing this, Joy was even more frustrated with this mother who suddenly came back!

She’s the one that made her get scolded by her brother and now won’t see Mommy Cindy in the mornings anymore... What a nuisance!