Lost Me Gained Regret

"No worries."

Bella flashed me a smile, taking my hand gently. "I'm not here for a dress fitting either."

Edith, puzzled, asked, "Then why?"

"Ask Jane about it."

Glancing at the clock, Bella stood up and explained to me, "Jane, I've got a dinner planned with the brand team. How about you join us?"

"I... I'd rather not."

Previously, whenever she facilitated connections for me, I always navigated those moments with a sense of social obligation.

But now that she had suddenly become my... mother, I was still trying to wrap my head around it.

She didn't press, only tentatively asking, "How about I have Ivy pick you up for the celebration party at Cloud Villas tomorrow? Would that be okay?" Ivy was her most trusted aide.

Having Ivy pick me up, to then head to the celebration party from Cloud Villas together, signified her intention to publicly acknowledge my background, seeking my consent in the process.

I pursed my lips, nodding in agreement, "Okay."

As I escorted her to the elevator, on impulse, I called out, "Mom, be safe."

Bella froze in her tracks, her step back into the elevator halted as she turned around in disbelief, her eyes glistening, "You... you..."

Since my foster parents passed away, calling anyone "Mom" felt incredibly difficult. When I initially thought Pearl could be my mother, I pondered countless times whether I could ever utter that word again.

Turns out, I couldn't. I thought maybe the term was just too alien to me...

Now, blurting it out so unexpectedly, even I was caught off guard.

Bella was at a loss for words, pulling me into another embrace.

Feeling her choked sobs, I patted her back, fighting back tears, and managed a smile, "When that pendant got lost, I thought I'd never find you again."

"Nonsense."

Bella released me, playfully scolding before assuring me like a promise, "Jane, from now on, whatever happens, you've got Mom here."

Perhaps my sudden acknowledgment brought her some peace. She glanced towards her home's entrance, "After tomorrow's celebration party, how about moving into Cloud Villas with me?"

"I..."NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.

I hesitated, "Can I think it over?"

"Of course."

Bella didn't rush me, her previous interactions with Summer already showcased her as a very understanding mother.

With the elevator doors about to

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close, not wanting her to miss engagement because of me, I hurried her, "Go on, traffic gets bad around here during rush hour."

"So..."

Taking a deep breath, Bella said, "Call me about anything, okay?"

As the elevator doors closed, I turned around to find Edith staring at me in total shock.

She was still processing it all.

I waved my hand in front of her eyes, snapping her back to reality, her voice filled with disbelief, "Wait, what did Bella just say she was to you??" I hesitated for a moment, "...Mom?"

"Bella loves you so much she's taking you as her daughter??"

"Not exactly." I smiled, still feeling like I was dreaming. "She's my real mom. It's a surprise for me too."

I hadn't fully grasped the situation myself yet.

Edith was dumbfounded.

As I sat down in the living room, she quickly shut the door and hurried over, "What does that mean? Does it mean you're now my ex-husband's niece, and my cousin has tocall my ex Uncle'??"

I hadn't even thought about that. Now that she mentioned it, it sounded like a tongue twister.

After thinking it through, I nodded in agreement, "You're right."

"Then..." Suddenly, Edith burst into laughter. "I'm Gregory's elder now? Well, with that in mind, maybe I should reconsider getting back with Herbert."

What kind of thought process does the Ford family have?

Before I could respond, Edith had already whipped out her phone, making a call with a teasing tone, "Hey Gregory, how about calling me 'Auntie' for kicks?"