Bride Behind the Mask novel Chapter 689

In the following moments, silence enveloped them both.

Frederick had just dropped Marguerite off at the Winston Mansion. As soon as she crossed the threshold, Teresa, buzzing with energy, stumbled into Marguerite’s arms in a flurry of excitement.

Marguerite staggered back, nearly taking a tumble.

Before she could get a word out, Teresa burst out, unable to contain her excitement, “Mommy, I've got some amazing news! I think I’m nearly done with brother’s portrait... but there’s still a bit to go. You’ll have to wait just a little longer.”

Marguerite scooped up Teresa and headed for the couch, letting her sit on her lap.

Hayes scurried over as well, standing on his tiptoes and peering over the back of the sofa with eager eyes.

“No need to finish it.”

Teresa’s mouth dropped open, her eyes wide with surprise and disbelief. “Not finish it? Why? Aren’t we looking for brother anymore?”

Teresa wasn’t Maurice’s child, so the face she was drawing from the pictures with Maurice couldn’t possibly be her actual big brother.

Marguerite, stroking Teresa’s cheek, was at a loss for words. How could she bluntly tell the little one that Maurice wasn’t her real dad? After all, Teresa was only three and far more precocious than most kids her age, but how could she possibly understand that the man who had raised her for three years wasn’t her biological father?

“Let’s not search for now. We’ll talk about it later.”

“But waiting doesn’t stop me from drawing…” Teresa mumbled under her breath, rubbing her head.

“Of course, it doesn’t. But mommy has found a more convenient way to look for brother. You always say drawing portraits is too hard on your brain. Isn’t it nice that I want to save you the trouble?”

“More convenient? What could be more convenient than my drawing?”

Curiosity got the better of Teresa, her relentless questioning leaving Marguerite at a loss. But what convenient method did she have? It was nothing more than an excuse to placate the child, to spare her the disappointment. After all, a portrait was unlikely to lead them anywhere. They needed a different approach to find her eldest son.