Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 115 Odette Sees a Ghost

Odette’s POV

“Woah! Slow down little one,” I call as Lila races down a steep hill. We’re in the park for our daily tea-time, which we agreed should always be a picnic on sunny days. While I’m laying out the blanket and unpacking the basket, my granddaughter is racing around the grassy meadow, burning off all her youthful energy. I don’t mind her tiring herself out, but i’d also prefer to return Selene’s pup to her in one piece.

My daughter-in-law has gone to look into buying the Full Moon Cafe, the city’s most popular bistro. Everyone knew the owners were getting on in years, but it was still a shock when the restaurant went up for sale last week. Devoted patrons across Elysium immediately went up in arms, arguing about who should take over and ensuring the beloved menu is carried over to the new owners.

It just so happens that Selene has been trying to figure out what to do with her spare time here and greatly misses the cafe she had in Asphodel, so it seems fortuitous she should take over. There is a small chance the owners won’t want to sell to her, but I think it’s more likely they’ll jump at the chance. Selene is the richest woman in the city, and she’ll take the responsibility seriously. When Selene is finished with her meeting she’ll join us for tea, but until then I get to soak up some one-on-one time with Lila.

“Gamma watch me!” Lila exclaims, doing a somersault and grinning with pride.

*Very nice,” I praise warmly, extending my arms to her. “Now come here rolly polly, don’t you want some sandwiches?”

The tiny wolf toddles over happily, “With cucumbs?!

“Yes with cucumbers,” I answer, carefully pronouncing the word so it will sink into her beautiful little head. Until two weeks ago my granddaughter had never heard of a tea sandwich, now they’re all she wants to eat, but she hasn’t quite figured out the pronunciations yet.

For a while we eat and chat in ease, me telling stories about when Bastien was little, and Lila giggling in delight over her fathers exploits. Part of me worries about putting ideas in her head, but then again, it would serve Bastien right to experience some of the chaos he put me through as a boy.

“Daddy really paint da cat?” Lila chirps happily.

“He did.” I confirm. “Bright blue the poor thing wouldn’t go near him for weeks afterwards.”

“What was deir name?” She asks curiously.

“Mr Whisk” I begin, only to be interrupted a moment later.

“Gamma, wha’s dat?” Lila asks suddenly, pointing across the park to a group of people gathered around a street performer.

know. My voice dies in my throat. There, just off to the side of the small audience, is a woman I

be.” I mutter under my breath. It’s been years since I saw Odile, but she looks exactly the same. She’s dressed in all black, as if she’s still in mourning after all this time. Her once blonde hair is now silvery gray, and though her eyes are covered by sunglasses, I remember their opulent green

She was

posture and way of moving. I’ve never met another woman who could appear simultaneously rigid and fluid all at once. It’s as if she’s made of pure stone, so impossibly still when standing in place, but as soon as she moves it’s with the easy grace

wong?” Lila’s little voice sounds on my right, and the next thing I know

eyes staring up at me in concern, and offer my granddaughter a soft smile. “Nothing sweet girl,” I lie, petting her tiny cheek, “I just thought

plump hand, settling in and making it clear she has no intention of moving. Stroking her hair while she takes alternating nibbles of her lunch first the sandwich in her right hand, then the one in her left and back again I look back

Odile is gone.

and if there was ever a face I will never forget, it’s my enemy’s. Just then I scent Selene, and a moment later my daughter-in-law is crossing the meadow in front of us, barefoot

lap. “Are you so comfy that you’re not even going to come say

huh.” Lila nods mischievously, sending us all into a

fickle little

daughter’s hair, “Not fickle.” She reasons

I could never get him

she can read my unease through my smile. She cocks her head to the side in question, and I shake my head,

in understanding, and I change the subject, “How did

all those years ago. It’s even hard to believe she’s the same guarded woman I met two months ago in Asphodel. Marriage and motherhood

not official yet.” Selene explains, “But I made an offer

needing someone to wrangle this munchkin on a regular basis then?” I ask, referring to the

can find a nanny if you

my dead body.” I growl,

over to brush a few crumbs from Lila’s cheek,

Bastien’s POV

something is wrong the moment my mother walks into my study. She’s pale and gaunt, as if she’s seen a ghost. I’m on my feet instantly. “Mom,

me off. “It’s…” She trails off, sounding uncertain, “Bastien,

I repeat in

but I’m sure it was