Chapter 25 Ten Days. : In just ten days, she would no longer carry the name Mrs. Belmont. She would finally be Ms. Hall. 67 Finished Because the maid had been bullied by Dion and ended up quitting, things around the house started to fall apart. Lewis and Dion were both waiting for Nina to call them for dinner. By the time the clock neared nine, Nina hadn't asked them to have their dinner. Knock, knock. Dion tapped on the door to Lewis's study. He walked in with a pitiful look, clutching his stomach. "Dad, I'm starving. Why hasn't Nina called us for dinner yet?" Lewis was just as hungry, his vision almost going dark. His stomach had always been weak. Last time, he ended up with a flare-up from eating spicy food. The doctor told him to eat on time. Now it was well past dinner time. His face tightened with frustration. "Hold on. I'll go check with her." Lewis stood up and headed toward the bedroom. When he opened the door, he found Nina lying on the bed, watching TV. She looked up, pouted, and whined, "Lewis, can we eat yet? I'm going to pass out from hunger." Lewis was speechless. A vein pulsed on Lewis's forehead. He thought Nina was making dinner for him and Dion. But she was waiting for him to serve her. Nina noticed his dark expression but didn't realize what was wrong. After all, Lewis had always spoiled her, never letting her lift a finger for housework. She asked, confused, "What's the matter?" Dion stepped forward from behind, his voice filled with complaint. "Nina, why didn't Dad and I are starving." Nina's eyes went wide. you cook? 1/2 14:40 Sat, Oct 18 Chapter 25 Ten Days 67 Finished What? Lewis expect me to cook? Her voice grew pitiful. "Lewis, I don't know how to cook." Lewis drew in a long breath. When had he gotten so used to Athena? He had grown used to walking into a home where hot food was waiting for him. Athena always had everything ready. Nina never did any of that. He was the one who arranged every little thing for her. Lewis felt his emotions boiling over, and a sharp ache started twisting in his stomach. He pressed a hand against his abdomen, trying to steady his breath. Nina saw the color drain from his face and rushed forward to steady him. "Lewis, are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't know you were waiting for me to make dinner." She hesitated, then blurted, "Why don't I try cooking right now?" "No need." Lewis knew her abilities all too well. If she went into the kitchen, she'd probably set the place on fire, and he'd end up with an even bigger headache. Instead, he pulled out his phone and called Ned, asking him to order food from a private chef's place and have it delivered immediately. An hour later, the meal arrived. They finally sat down at the dining table, though it was already close to ten at night. Starving, all three dug in quickly. Dion eyed the plate of shrimp in front of him, wrinkling his brow. He turned toward Nina and pleaded, "Nina, I want shrimp. Can you peel them for me?" Nina frowned and scolded him gently. "Dion, you're a big kid now. You need to do things like this yourself. You can't expect others to always help you, understand?" Dion felt wronged. Back when Athena was around, she always peeled them for him. A wave of longing hit him-he missed her. Lewis noticed his son's lowered head and miserable expression, and his chest tightened. He turned to Nina. "Dion's never peeled shrimp before. What's the harm in peeling a couple for him?" 2/3 14:40 Sat, Oct 18 Chapter 25 Ten Days Nina froze, not expecting him to say that. 67 Finished She had never needed to do these kinds of things for herself, let alone for someone else. Lewis pressed on. "Athena used to peel a whole bowl for him every time." What he meant was clear. If Athena, who wasn't even Dion's biological mother, could do it, then Nina should too. But Nina only heard the comparison. Her face turned cold. Athena-again! Why did that woman always matter so much to Lewis? Later that night, it was time for Dion's bath. Under Lewis's sharp gaze, Nina reluctantly agreed to help. Nina had never cared for Dion a single day in her life. She had no idea what she was doing. Nina turned on the shower and sprayed him directly. A second later, Dion screamed at the of his lungs, the sound echoing through the entire house. Lewis's patience, already stretched thin from the day, finally snapped. top This had been one awful evening, and he was already thinking about hiring a maid as soon as possible. But before he could even rest, Nina had dropped another problem in his lap. He bolted from his study to the bathroom. Dion sat on the floor, bawling. His skin was blotched red from the scalding water. Send Gifts 150 3/3 14:40 Sat, Oct 18 From Betrayal to Brilliance Her Rise to a New Life