Despite the slightly poor environment, Raeleigh was grateful to have a peaceful life.
As Raeleigh was cooking, Deanna went to the kitchen to have a look, "Raeleigh, can you teach me how to cook?"
"What do you want to learn?" Willingly, Raeleigh offered.
"What dishes do you make? Just teach me a few easy ones. I'm afraid I won't be able to learn the hard ones," Deanna felt stupid as she didn't know how to cook.
Handing her some cucumbers and tomatoes, she gestured for Deanna to wash them, "You can start by cleaning the vegetables. I started off helping grandma with the washing as well."
Excited, Deanna rolled up her sleeves and picked up a basin. Before she could grab it, she knocked a glass plate by accident and it shattered onto the ground.
"Ah!" Deanna screamed. Putting down everything on her hands, Raeleigh rushed over to check on her, "It's okay. It's okay. Don't be afraid."
"Zorion..."
On hearing Deanna's wail, Zorion dashed into the kitchen hastily. Holding Deanna in his arms, he patted gently on her head to comfort her, "It's okay, it's okay."
Aggrieved, Deanna frowned, "I didn't mean it."
"I know, I know," Zorion felt distressed. He turned to look at Raeleigh, who was staring at them blankly, "Don't try to teach Deanna how to cook. She can't."
After that, Zorion brought Deanna away. Not knowing how to react, Raeleigh stood in the kitchen as she watched them leave.
Scarlette, who was standing by the door, saw everything crystal clear. She fetched a broom to help clean up the mess. Clearing up the glass pieces on the ground, she said, "Sooner or later, she'll kill you."
"Nonsense. She didn't mean it."
Disregarding it, Raeleigh continued to clean up. She held no grudges against Deanna. Although Scarlette was making a fuss about it, she simply brushed it off. Giving up after receiving the silent treatment, Scarlette put down the mop in her hand and helped to prepare the dishes.
It took ages for Deanna to pull herself together as she was still in shock.
Novalie sat beside her. Compared to the rich and pampered guests, Raeleigh was good-tempered and independent. She had never teared up so easily like how Deanna did. Whenever something went wrong, Deanna would burst out in tears and needed someone to take care of her.
Raeleigh had no one at all.
Glancing at Deanna, Novalie felt bad for her granddaughter. She had been made a scapegoat for other people's mess.
Judging from Raeleight's actions, it seemed like she had a soft spot for the pair of siblings, so Novalie kept quiet.
Watching Novalie leave, Deanna let go of her brother's arms and asked, "Zorion, does grandma dislike me?"
Zorion shook his head, "No."
"What?"
Zorion knew his sister better than anyone else. Deanna was not putting on an act, she's still a child.
"I'll check on Raeleigh. I may have been rude just now," Zorion went to the kitchen. Feeling uneasy, Deanna followed him as this was trouble that she had caused.
In the kitchen, Raeleigh was preparing food when she heard the footsteps. She knew it was the Whalen siblings.
But she didn't look at them.
The disparity between their identity and status was incomparable. No matter how hard they tried to close these gaps, it could not be done.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Cutie, Please Marry Me Again (Jenna and Hansen)