"Christmas! Christmas! Whoo!" Mackie was excited. She ran around the living room, circling every piece of furniture and the Christmas tree. She LOVED the Christmas tree because this would be the first time she ever had one that she decorated herself.
Back when she lived with Daddy, they would have the huge one in front of the mansion, decorated with so many expensive golden things that looked awesome.
But Mackie didn't feel connected with that huge tree because it wasn't her who decorated it.
So, usually, Mommy would buy that mini Christmas tree and also bought lamps and a few ornaments so they could decorate it together in Mackie's room.
Mommy said she couldn't buy the bigger one because she didn't have money, which was weird now that Mackie had more time to think.
Because her Daddy was supposed to be very rich, but why didn't Mommy have money?
When she was with Uncle right now, she always brought her to the restaurant and even bought the toys she wanted.
She dressed better and even wore sparkly things such as bracelets and necklaces, which had never happened before with Daddy.
Chloe went out of Vernon's bedroom and carefully closed the door behind her. She looked at Mackie, who was yelling excitedly while circling the tree, "Dear, keep your voice down, Uncle is very tired. He's still sleeping."
Mackie stopped running around after getting a warning from her mother. But she still had a big smile on her.
The little girl rushed to her Mommy and hugged her, "Shhh… Mommy… Merry Christmas…" Mackie said, half-whispering.
Chloe chuckled, "Merry Christmas, dear. Can you sit on the sofa first? I have to make the hot choco and reheat the food from yesterday for breakfast."
Mackie nodded as she watched her Mommy going to the kitchen.
Chloe already prepared their breakfast last night, so she had to reheat them and add some more to the menu to make it a small feast for them.
It took her at least an hour to prepare everything before she told Mackie, who was watching cartoons on the TV.
"Dear, you can eat breakfast now. I'll go downstairs to pick your cousins so we can celebrate together," Chloe said.
"Un! Okay, Mommy! I can't wait to meet them!" Mackie said excitedly. This would be the first time they ever spent Christmas together.
Chloe entered the elevator to the thirteenth floor.
She was nervous because she knew she'd break Dorothea's heart today.
Dorothea was actually excited to spend Christmas with them. She usually spent Christmas and New Year at a formal party, surrounded by people who felt nothing but contempt for her, and she also felt the same towards her guests.
But after talking with Vernon yesterday, she realized she was pushing it too far. It'd take Vernon a while to accept Dorothea into his life because even though it wasn't completely Dorothea's fault, she was still the one hitting Vernon.
Chloe was thinking for a while and finally decided to take Vernon's side.
Chloe pressed the bell, and Aaron was the one who opened the door. He smiled at Aunty Chloe and greeted, "Merry Christmas, Aunty. My brothers have been waiting for you."
Aaron called his brothers, and they gathered in front of Chloe with big smiles on their faces.
"Where is Grandma Dorothea?" Chloe asked.
"Uhm, Grandma said that she's not feeling well…" Aaron said.
Chloe frowned, "Really? Let me check on her first."
Chloe entered the bedroom and saw Dorothea lying on her bed, watching a youtube video while laughing because it was funny.
She definitely didn't look sick, but Chloe had to make sure.
"Dorothea?"
"Hm, yes?" Dorothea put down her phone and stared at Chloe.
ƥαṇdα- ηθνε|·ƈθm "Are you alright?" Chloe asked. She sat at the corner of the bed, checking on Dorothea's condition. "The boys told me that you're not feeling well."
Dorothea giggled, "Thank you for checking on me. But I'm alright, I'm completely healthy," she replied. "I just need a reason to avoid the Christmas party in the penthouse."
"I know my place, Chloe," Dorothea said. "I know that Vernon still resents me so much to the point that seeing my face will only upset him. I understand, and it is a sin I'm willing to bear for the rest of my life."
Chloe lowered her head.
She felt so guilty for Dorothea but also had to prioritize Vernon's wish, "I'm sorry, Dorothea. It will take time…"
Dorothea smiled, "You've done your best, Chloe. I know that you mean well, but you need to focus on Vernon instead of me. You've done so much for me, and you deserve to be happy too."
Dorothea gave Chloe a hug and a pat on the back, "You should go now, they are waiting for you."
Chloe nodded. She was saddened, but she was also glad that Dorothea wasn't an unreasonable person.
She knew her place.
She knew that Vernon hated him, so to avoid ruining the party, she decided to act sick instead.
Chloe got up from the bed and said, "Merry Christmas, Dorothea."
"Merry Christmas, Chloe," Dorothea replied with a smile.
Dorothea watched Chloe as she left her room. Her smile turned bitter as she was alone once again.
She'd lie if she said she didn't want to join them.
She was so excited with the idea of spending Christmas with family. It was something she hadn't felt for so long.
But she also realized that she was unwelcome by Vernon. He hated her, and it was justified.
Dorothea didn't want to put a burden on Chloe. Chloe had done so much for her, so Dorothea didn't want to put her in a spot where she had to choose between her or Vernon.
"I don't want them to fight because of me. Naturally, she should choose Vernon over anyone else except her daughter," Dorothea said. "It's fine if I can't join them, maybe next year or a year after that…"
"Maybe one day Vernon would be able to accept me."
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