Mom gripped the phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She looked up at the gray sky, then back toward the orphanage, as if she could see my hopeful face through the walls.
She took a deep breath before speaking clearly and firmly. “Xander, listen carefully. Even if I can’t find a job and have to set up a food stall, I’ll never step one foot into the McNeil residence ever again! Sal and I won’t starve! Stay away from us!”
After saying that, she hung up right away and blocked his number.
A few days later, a small stall was set up outside the orphanage’s big iron gate. An old cart, a blazing coal stove, and on top of it stood a shiny big iron pot!
Mom wore a faded apron and had her hair neatly tied up. She began selling some authentic Southern delicacies–country–fried chicken, flapjacks, and hearty macaroni and cheese. And what was the most eye–catching was the pot bubbling away with…
Although it wasn’t finished yet, the rich aroma of gumbo forcefully drifted through the iron bars and straight into the yard.
“Country–fried chicken! Flapjacks! Macaroni and cheese!”
Mom’s shouting sounded a bit rough around the edges, but she was loud and full of strength. Every day, I pressed myself against the window closest to the gate, sniffing at that tempting aroma.
At noon or in the evening, Mom always found a chance to get close to the iron bars. She would quickly glance at the gatekeeper,
then pull out the still–warm food wrapped in foil and slip it through the bars.
“Sal! Quick, eat while it’s hot! Today’s mac and cheese is particularly hearty!”
“I saved you the biggest piece of fried chicken, with an extra crispy outside!”
“I reheated the gumbo. It’ll warm your stomach!”
Her hands were frozen red, but her face carried a warm yet nervous smile. I took the food that still carried her warmth and
devoured it. I was huffing from the heat, but I was unwilling to stop.
Through the cold iron bars, we looked at each other, our gaze bright.
“Mom, it’s delicious! Smells amazing!” I exclaimed.
“Eat slowly. Don’t choke. When I’ve saved enough money to rent a little shop, I’ll make gumbo for you every day!”
“Okay! Mom, I’ll wait!”
The viewers‘ comments showed their emotions.
“Feeding her through the iron bars! I’m in tears!”
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Chapter 7
“I can smell the gumbo through the screen! Mommy is amazing!”
“Sobs! Both mother and daughter love each other so much! No adoption agreement can end that!”
“Cheering for the food stall! Let’s go, Mommy!”
+25 Bonus
The days passed, with Mom working hard and me waiting by the window. Mom’s stall–thanks to her use of the best ingredients, the authentic flavors, and her warm sincerity–slowly started to thrive.
At that moment, the McNeils received good news–Serena was pregnant.
“I already knew those two had an ambiguous relationship, but I didn’t expect them to stoop this low…”
“Why? The kind and tragic female lead lost her child, but this scheming childhood sweetheart got pregnant. This script is way too ridiculous. I’m fuming!”
“I want to switch back to the food channel!”
After hearing the news, Xander was, of course, overjoyed. He swept away his previous gloomy demeanor and held a grand
banquet to celebrate. He wanted to announce to the whole world that he was finally going to have an heir.
He bought Serene jewelry, purchased a luxurious mansion, and showered her with affection. It was as if he wanted to make up
all the guilt of the child that was never born by placing it all on this one.
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He even thought that once the child was born, the ungrateful Mom would see his heir and feel utter despair. By the time the
celebrations ended, Xander was slightly drunk. As he hugged the bashful Serena, he prepared to go home.
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