Chapter 52
At the cafe. Norman ordered Moira’s favorite mille–feuille cake
When the waiter brought it over, he quickly took the cake and placed it next to Moira. “Moira, have some of this. I remember you love mille–feuille
cake!”
He looked at her with a warm, adfectionate expression, as though the loving father he once was huid never truly been absent. But Moira knew that man was long gone.
Noticing she hadn’t touched the cake, Norman asked, “Doesn’t it taste right? It’s my fault for not asking what you like. You’re all grown up now, your tastes must have changed.
He picked up the menu from the waiter and handed is to her with a smile. “Take a look and see if there’s anything you’d like. You can order whatever you want.”
Moira didn’t reach for the menu Her expression was calm, almost distant, as she said, “Mr. Mitchell, did you ask me out for a specific reason!”
Addressing him as “Mr. Mitchell“ immediately put a clear distance between them, shattering the facade of warmih.
Norman saw the resentment in Moira’s eyes. He put the menu down with a sigh. “How have you and Jane been these past years?”
“Haven’t you looked into it?” Moira’s tone was steady, but there was a sharp edge of sarcasm “Right, you have a new wife now, with both a daughter and a son. Why would you have time to care about how your ex–wife and her daughter are doing?”
The words stung, and Norman couldn’t help but feel guilty! Looking at the coldness in Moira’s eyes, he thought of the little girl who once clung to him, asking him to lift her up.
His heart ached. “Moira, I’m sorry. But you’ll always be my daughter, no one can replace you.”
But Moira didn’t even flinch. Her eyes only grew colder, more mocking.
Norman realized the damage he’d done to Jane and Moira was beyond repair. There was no point in saying more. He took a card from his pocket and slid it toward her.
“There’s 650 thousand dollars on this card. Take it, and live well with your mother. Think of it as some small compensation from me” he said.
Moira thought. ‘650 thousand dollars can never make up for twenty years of hurt. How can it possibly heal the pain of betrayal my mom has suffered or undo the torment of the years we have lost!
Moira thought of the necklace around Kayla’s neck, worth over 7 million dollars in diamonds, then glanced at Norman in front of her his eyes full of self reproach and concern. It all felt so hypocritical, so laughable.
She pushed the card back toward him without a word. “I don’t need it
Grabbing her bag, she stood up to leave, but paused and turned back. “You didn’t want us twenty years ago, and you’ve never bothered to make up for it. There’s no need now. Let’s just pretend we never knew each other
With that, Moira turned and walked toward the door,
“Moira “Norman started.
“Moira, how dare you seduce my father?” Kayla stormed over, furious. She raised her hand and slapped Moira across the face with a loud crack. The sting of it burned on Moira’s cherk
what are you doing” Norman excl
claimed in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief
Kayla denched her fits, her face a mix of anger and disappointment. “Dad, how can you do this to Mom? How
ow could you be here with this woman
nightoff guard. Norman felt a pang of guilt. Seeing the eyes of everyone around them, he clenched his fist and cleared his throat awkwardly.
You misunderstood. I just happened to run into her. You know, you’re both in the same production group. We just sat down for a chat,” he said
“She’s about your age. How could there be anything inappropriate? You’re just overthink W be added
a coincidener,
“Really?” Kayla turned to Moira, a look of ung triumph in her eyes. “So it’s just a
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