Matthew nodded in agreement.
Seated beside Matthew, Stella observed him holding a pen and proceeded to articulate her thoughts in detail. She maintained an unwavering gaze, promptly offering suggestions for revisions.
Their collaboration was seamless; deeply engrossed in the project, they were interrupted by a knock at the door, followed by Haley’s entrance as she pushed it open.
Carrying a steaming glass of milk, she made her way to the desk. “I noticed you hadn’t eaten anything this morning. I was worried you might be hungry, so I warmed up some milk for you.”
As she spoke, her eyes subtly drifted toward the painting on the desk. Adopting a concerned tone, she queried, “Why are you still working? You’re injured.”
Meeting Haley’s gaze with a bright smile, Stella reassured, “It’s fine. Matthew can assist me.”
Haley nodded approvingly. “That’s good. But remember to take care of yourself.”
Stella nodded.
Matthew’s attention had been fixed on Haley since her arrival.
Noting her lingering presence, he inquired, “Is there anything else?”
After a brief pause, Haley offered an awkward smile.
“No, I’ll head out now. Carry on with your work.” Placing the milk on the desk, she exited the room.
Noticing the solemn expression on Matthew’s face, Stella couldn’t resist pinching his cheek lightly. “She just dropped by with some warm milk. No need to be so serious. It’s impolite.”
Matthew turned to Stella, his tone grave. “Don’t you find her behavior odd?”
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“No.” After a moment of contemplation, Stella sighed. “It’s just that sometimes I feel there’s a certain distance between us, despite her gestures. They say there’s a real connection between mother and daughter, some sort of telepathy. But between Haley and me, there seems to be something lacking.”
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Her brow furrowed slightly as she expressed her thoughts.
That lingering distance was why she couldn’t bring herself to call Haley her mother.
Matthew’s gaze darkened as he reiterated his concern. “Despite the DNA report confirming your relationship, something about her feels off. Anyway, I think she…”
“Stop!” Stella interjected.
She knew where his thoughts were heading, that Haley wasn’t her real mother.
She disliked hearing it and didn’t want Matthew to interrogate Haley in her presence.
“Don’t speak nonsense. How could the report be false? You have to trust the experts,” Stella asserted firmly.
Matthew sensed her frustration, yet he felt compelled to caution her, fearing she might face disappointment in the end.
Gazing at Stella’s injured hand, he murmured, “I suspect she might have staged your injury.”