Elissa, always attentive, rustled up some fruits and a small plate of beef stew for Brantley, who devoured them with the voracious appetite of a growing lad.

With a playful grin, the maid quipped, “Boys this age can eat a horse and still ask for dessert.”

Brantley’s face flushed with embarrassment as he shot back, “No way!”

Elissa chimed in gently, “She’s just teasing, kiddo.”

Brantley felt a lump form in his throat, torn between tears and gratitude.

Though he felt embarrassed, a flicker of joy spurred him on, and he attacked his homework with newfound energy.

Elissa reviewed his work with a critical eye, her standards firmer than Raphael’s.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of her phone shattered the quietude of the moment.

Brantley breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze fixed on Elissa as she conversed with Raphael, his ears straining to catch every word…

A persistent feeling of doubt gnawed at Brantley’s confidence.

him before saying softly into the phone,

And he’s eaten plenty.”

faint chuckle echoed from the other

the conversation,

ended, her tone turned stern

know better than to

at Elissa before bowing

hardly requiring any additional attention… But the underlying reason was

well-behaved children harbored a constant

the night, the maid roused Elissa from

Jones, Brantley’s

keeps calling out for his

Elissa hastily donned

Brantley tossed and turned, caught in the grips of

forehead as he

confirmed her suspicions:

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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