A Replacement Bride

Chapter 255

Jayden would come to the hospital every day to chat with Katherine. Katherine had set everything aside to stay with Noah until the day of the surgery, so she didn't refuse Jayden's attempts to chat, though they only made small talk. Sometimes, if she felt like it, she would even engage in a conversation.

That made Joaquin jealous. He kept being sarcastic, but Katherine wasn't like any other woman. She wouldn't talk to him as long as he was sarcastic. Their relationship suffered for it.

Even Noah noticed the worsening of their relationship. NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.

Today, Katherine was taking a nap on the bed beside Noah's. Joaquin was reading with his daughter, the quiet room illuminated by golden rays of sunshine.

Noah stole a glance at her mother. Still asleep. She huddled closer to Joaquin and looked up at him. She muttered, "Daddy, are you and Mommy fighting?"

Joaquin paused for a moment. He asked, "Why do you ask?"

Noah pouted and muttered, "You haven't been talking these couple of days, and you look annoyed. Everyone's going to think you guys are fighting."

Surprised, Joaquin frowned. "I look annoyed?"

"Yeah." Noah nodded. "You should look in the mirror, Daddy. You look super emo."

Amused, Joaquin pinched her little nose. "And where did you learn that word?"

"Self-taught. I'm super smart." She dodged his hand and raised her head proudly, but the next second, she gave Joaquin a look of disapproval. "That's not a good look, Daddy. You can't win Mommy over like that, and someone's going to laugh at you."

What? Someone's going to laugh at me? He frowned again. "Who?"

"Mr. Hall, of course." Noah looked disappointed. She crossed her arms and put on a precocious act. "Didn't you notice? Mr. Hall has been really smug lately. I can see the look in his eyes. If this keeps up, he might steal Mommy away."

Joaquin's frown deepened. He argued, "No way. She won't fall for Jayden." He can't take her away. He doesn't have the ability.

Noah clicked her tongue and shot Joaquin another disapproving look. "Not yet, but who knows what might happen? Mr. Hall is friendly enough. She might fall for him. You can't go on like this." She sat up and pulled Joaquin closer to her, then she whispered, "Daddy, Mommy's pretty, but she's really aloof and doesn't care about a lot of stuff. If you don't work for it, she might ignore you. Then you might lose me."

Joaquin's face fell, and his eyes glinted with cunning. Nobody can take her away from me. Seems like I've been lax lately. Some people think this is their opening. I'll teach them otherwise.

Noah's warning came at the right time. He looked at the napping Katherine, and his eyes glinted. Resignation filled his face. She's different from everyone else. For his whole life, Joaquin was the center of everyone's attention. Never did anyone give him the cold shoulder, until he met Katherine. Guess I'll have to make the first move.

…

But his plan came a bit too late. Before he could even try to woo Katherine, the date of Noah's surgery was brought forward.

The night before the surgery, Katherine sat before Noah's bed, peeling an apple for her. When she looked up, she was met with the girl's gaze. "What is it?" she asked coolly.

Noah bit her lips. A moment of hesitation later, she whispered, "Will this work, Mommy? I-I'm scared. If it fails, I'll never see you again."

Katherine was surprised. She looked away for a moment and put the knife down. Then she split the apple in half, giving one half to Noah. When the girl took it, she smiled. "Don't worry. It'll work, I promise. You'll be better. You'll be just like the other kids; healthy and happy."

The promise excited Noah, and her eyes glimmered like stars. She nodded. "I'll do my best. When I get better, I'll stay with you. Forever."

The girl's love touched Katherine's heart. Tormented by the tragic events that happened five years prior, she felt conflicting emotions regarding the child. She was a reminder of that painful past, so Katherine would instinctively ignore her. She would give her the cold shoulder, so to speak.

She hadn't been a good mother. Now that the truth was out and she had forgiven Joaquin, she thought she should get over herself. Noah was just a child—a child who knew nothing of the past. She couldn't choose who her parents were, and Katherine brought her into this world anyway. She was innocent.

The past flooded Katherine's mind, and it hurt her heart a little. A pang of guilt filled her soul. She stared into the girl's eyes. They were filled with delight and excitement. Katherine placed the apple down, picked the girl up, and hugged her, then rested her chin on Noah's head. "When you get better, I'll take you to the amusement park. I'll buy you anything you want."

Noah paused for a moment, surprise filling her eyes.