Chapter 15 He Called Her Honey
Claudia hadn’t mentioned Summer’s birthday to Nero. She hadn’t planned on bringing him along.
Her husband’s time was valuable–what made Summer think she deserved that kind of attention?
She figured she’d wait until she was about to leave and just casually mention it to him.
But Nero found out anyway–because Yvonne showed up with a dress for her.
When the maid reported that her stepsister had arrived and was talking to Mr. Nero downstairs, Claudia’s eyes narrowed. She immediately set down what she was doing and went down.
She hadn’t forgotten what kind of thoughts her dear stepsister had about her husband.
Downstairs, Yvonne was standing demurely, looking shy and bashful as she handed Nero an invitation.
“The birthday party is in five days. My mom hopes that you could attend… and so do I.”
Nero gave the invitation a brief glance but made no move to take it.
Yvonne stepped forward, moving closer to him with a delicate tone.
“Mr. Nero…”
Before she could finish, she suddenly stumbled, her body tilting toward him with a soft gasp.
It looked like she was about to fall straight into his arms–and he wasn’t dodging.
Yvonne’s eyes lit up, anticipating impact.
But-
“Ah!”
Her collar was yanked back from behind.
The sudden pull nearly made her eyes roll back.
“Yvonne, you were standing just fine. How do you trip on nothing?” Claudia’s voice came lazily from behind. “Anyone else. might think you were trying to throw yourself at my husband.”
She yanked Yvonne back into place with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Yvonne stiffened and tried to sound innocent.
“Claudia, what are you talking about? I just lost my balance…”
“Oh
“Your sister said she came to bring you a dress,” Nero said, voice flat.
“I know. The maid told me.” Claudia’s expression instantly softened as she walked over. Seeing that Nero was sitting on the couch instead of his wheelchair, she naturally sat right beside him, perfectly at ease in the role of the woman of the house. She glanced at Yvonne.
“It’s just a dress. Why come all the way yourself? Could’ve had someone drop it off” Yvonne was too shocked to respond, her eyes glued to how close they were sitting. It had only been a few days, and Claudia was already this intimate with Mr. Nero? Wasn’t he known for hating physical contact? Why wasn’t he pushing her away?
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Chapter 15 He Called Her Honey
Yvonne forced a smile.
“I also came to give Mr. Nero the invitation. That’s not something a maid should do–it’d be disrespectful.”
“Invitation?” Claudia echoed. “I already told Madam Summer that Mr. Nero won’t be attending.
She tightened her hold on Nero’s arm and said sweetly, “Right, honey?”
Yvonne’s eyes twitched.
She didn’t believe Claudia had told him at all. She looked to Nero.
Nero felt the soft weight clinging to his arm and turned to find Claudia blinking up at him, giving him the look. She didn’t say anything, but her message was clear.
She never said a word to him about this..
But seeing how nervous she looked, clearly worried he’d agree, he said, “Right. I’m not going.”
Claudia cheered internally. She almost wanted to kiss him or hug him on the spot, but since Yvonne was still here, she restrained herself.
She turned.
“Yvonne, you heard that? Mr. Nero’s not going”
Yvonne bit her lip.
“Mr. Nero, the Cloud family and the White family are in–laws now…”
Claudia’s grip on his arm tightened.
Nero noticed. He hadn’t looked deeply into her life in the Cloud family, but he’d heard that the current Mrs. Cloud wasn’t the original wife.
Judging by Claudia’s reaction, her relationship with her stepmother wasn’t good.
So he didn’t bother with pleasantries.
“I remember my honey’s mother is no longer alive.”
Which meant Summer wasn’t Claudia’s mother. What right did she have to bend him an invitation?
Yvonne froze.
Nero felt her cling to his arm again. When he looked down, Claudia’s eyes were sparkling as she gazed at him. He paused.
“What is i
“Nothing”
She was thrilled.
He called her honey.
And he thought the same way she did. That warm feeling filled her chest.
She wanted to speak to Neto privately With Yvonne still here, it was getting annoying.
“Yvonne, leave the dress. You can head back now?
But Yvonne wasn’t about to let go of her excuse to come to Blossom Park.
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Chapter 15 He Called Her Honey
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She smiled.
“I picked this dress for you myself. Took me forever. Come see if you like it.”
She waved for someone to bring it over.
The moment it was revealed, the room fell silent.
Simon, who’d just walked over, visibly flinched.
Claudia’s lips twitched as the realization hit her.
She looked at the dress.
Red and green. The design was chaotic–somewhere between a blanket and a bed sheet. Maybe both.
It was exactly the style Summer and Yvonne had trained her into liking. Or so they claimed.
“Claudia, do you like it?” Yvonne asked, smiling like the perfect sister.
A chill flashed in Claudia’s eyes.
“I love it Must’ve been hard to find something like this. You really went
Yvonne didn’t catch the sarcasm.
out of your way.”
“As long as you like it, that’s all that matters. I don’t mind the extra effort.”
She added brightly, “Since you love it, you absolutely have to wear it to the party! Everyone’s going to be amazed!” The fake–cheery tone dripped with manipulation
Claudia gave a half–smile.
“Sure”
Seeing her act like the same clueless pushover, Yvonne’s frustration evaporated.
So what if she had Mr. Nero? Still just a fool.
This birthday party would be full of fresh jokes.
Satisfied, Yvonne left.
Nero stared at the dress, frowning. After a long silence, he finally asked, “You like that kind of style?”
Claudia glanced at the horrifying garment and answered quickly, “No.”
Nero’s brows eased slightly.
Simon couldn’t help blurting out, “Then why’d the Cloud family send that to you?”
And her sister even claimed it was her taste.
Claudia pressed her lips together,
Because I used to wear stuff like that.”
Simon was confused.
Nero’s brows furrowed again. “You don’t like it, but you wore it?”
Claudia looked at him, her expression aggrieved.
“It’s ugly. People laughed at me. I never wanted to wear it. But every
ery time there was an event, my stepmom and Yvonne
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Chapter 15 He Called Her Honey
picked things like that for me.”
The first time, Yvonne had tricked her. People laughed. After that, she didn’t want to wear it again.
But Summer and Yvonne insisted it looked great. Said others were just jealous.
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Her mother died early. Summer married in not long after. Claudia had been raised by her. She grew up with Yvonne. She trusted them completely. Listened to everything they said.
Looking back, it was just pathetic.
Even now, after she’d married into Blossom Park, the mother–daughter duo was still being so thoughtful.
Nero’s gaze turned cold.
“If you don’t like it, don’t wear it.”
He glanced at the dress.
“Get rid of it.”
Simon stepped forward immediately.
But Claudia stopped him.
“Wait”
She blinked.
“She brought it all the way here so thoughtfully. How could I throw it out?”
Three days later.
Summer’s birthday party arrived.
