Ch. 531..535: Divorced My Scum Husband, Married His Evil brother Chapter 531-535

Chapter 531

"I thought I had perfectly sheltered her this whole time," Chloe said. Her eyes started getting teary as she lamented over the fact that her daughter might have matured way too early.

"It's my fault," she murmured. "I failed to protect her and her innocence…."

"What— no!" Diamond grabbed her best friend's arm and shook her several times to pull her out of her self-blame. "It's not your fault! It's because your daughter is an observant kid. She is smart and will naturally understand what is happening no matter how hard you try to hide everything!"

Chloe darted her eyes at Diamond, and Diamond was stunned when she saw tears that streamed from the corner of Chloe's eyes down to her cheek.

Diamond didn't expect this news to have a huge impact on Chloe, and now she regretted everything she said just now.

She shouldn't have told Chloe about Mackie who matured too early.

"Diamond, you don't understand…." Chloe murmured. "Mackie is the sole reason why I let myself endure Vincent and all of his degeneracy. She is also the reason I threw myself to beg for a job to Vernon. I want her to have a good life."

"I don't want her childhood to be ruined, and I surely don't want her to know about all this," Chloe's body was visibly shaken, and her tears streamed freely. "What should I do now? What's the point of all this when my daughter's innocence and childhood have been ruined?"

Diamond's eyes started getting teary as well. Her heart started hurting seeing her best friend crying over spilled milk, "I—I'm sorry," Diamond muttered. "I shouldn't have told you."

Chloe didn't want to blame Diamond for telling the truth. But Chloe wasn't ready to accept the truth.

That everything was in vain.

All of her effort to preserve Mackie's innocence was in vain, and she could do nothing about it now.

"I… I need time alone," Chloe said. She tried to gently push Diamond away from her. "I'm sorry, Diamond."

Diamond felt lost. She wanted to apologize for ruining Chloe's rose-colored glasses. But since it had happened, she could do nothing except retreat.

Diamond stood and stepped back, "I'm sorry, Chloe. I really don't know it'll hurt you this bad…."

…

Chloe said nothing. She lowered her head and cried in silence.

Diamond knew she could do nothing right now, so she simply excused herself and left the penthouse.

**

Diamond drove her car absentmindedly. She kept thinking about what she had said today.

She believed that Chloe had to know that she couldn't and shouldn't lie to her daughter. There was no point in lying to Mackie. That little girl was smart and had matured way too early anyway. Lying to her would only give her trust issues.

'Maybe I was too harsh…' Diamond blamed herself. 'Mackenzie is truly Chloe's life. She did her best to protect her innocence even though it failed in the end….'

Diamond was thinking about how to help Chloe accept this new fact easier. Because she surely didn't want Chloe to keep lamenting over this.

She kept thinking and thinking until she found only one way out, and that was… by telling this to her boss.

"I doubt his ability to reason with a woman who is =going through emotional turmoil, but the only one that can go through Chloe's self-blame is Vernon…." Diamond decided to turn around and go to the office instead of home. "Please, Boss, pull her out of her self-blame, or this will be really hard."

**

Vernon was busy reading new documents when his office door was suddenly slammed open.

He lifted his head and frowned.

"Diamond? Didn't I tell you that you don't need to go to work today?" Vernon asked. "Is there something wrong?"

Diamond's chest rose up and down as she walked towards her boss. Vernon didn't notice anything wrong with her until she stood up close and realized that Diamond's eyes were red, as if she had just cried a river.

"What's wrong?" Vernon asked out of concern. After all, Diamond was always a strong, capable woman who never showed her weakness. So this was the first time Vernon ever saw her crying.

"Boss— no, Vernon," Diamond called his name to signify the personal matter between them. "I fucked up."

"Fucked up? What kind? I can help if it's something about money."

"No, it's not about money, it's about… my best friend, Chloe" Diamond's voice shook when she mentioned her best friend's name.

Vernon turned serious instantly. He dropped all his work and focused everything on Diamond, "What did you do to her?"

"I—I told her about what Mackenzie said to me," Diamond confessed. "Mackie told me that she already knows about Chloe's condition with Vincent, how the anorexia, fainting, and the tears weren't normal, because her Mommy never showed any of that after they left the mansion."

"Mackie told me that she is alright if you— Uncle Vernon— replaces Vincent, her Daddy. Because her Daddy failed to make her Mommy happy," Diamond reported. "You see, Mackie is very observant, and she already knows about most of the things happening around her at such a young age. So there is no use of hiding and lying because it'll only hurt the little girl in the end."

"So I told Chloe about it, I said it bluntly, and she… she didn't take it well," Diamond clenched her fist, trying to calm down because she got emotional whenever she saw Chloe's tears.

She was burdened with an absurd amount of guilt in her heart that she was about to cry again. Diamond stared at Vernon and pleaded— something that she had never done before;

"Vernon, I know I fucked up. But I don't want Chloe to keep deluding herself, trying to keep lying to her daughter. It will only hurt them both and ruin the mother-daughter relationships in the future!"

"So please, please have a serious— but calm conversation with Chloe about this. She needs to know that she can't keep doing this to her daughter!"

Chapter 532

Vernon was astonished as he listened to Diamond.

What she said was true and obvious, even in Vernon's eyes.

He knew that Chloe kept on lying to her daughter. She insisted that Mackie was an innocent kid who knew nothing about the real world and should be kept that way because she was too young to understand.

But the thing was...

Even Vernon could see that Mackie was far smarter for kids her age. She might look innocent and pampered, but her observant skill was developed earlier than other kids. She would eventually learn about everything simply by observing, just like Vernon when he was young.

But he could also see why it would affect Chloe greatly.

Vernon had to admit that he had also sinned.

Because he exploited Chloe's desperation to give her daughter food and shelter after they left Vincent's mansion. He intentionally gave her no option but to return and beg him.

He could see that Mackie was the main reason in almost all of Chloe's actions. Mackie's happiness and safety was always Chloe's main priority.

Vernon swallowed his saliva. He realized he was also a total scum who exploited Chloe and her desperation, and now he had to help the woman he had tried to ruin before.

"Alright, I'll do it now," Vernon put his documents and laptop inside his briefcase, then grabbed his car key, "I'll go home and talk to her."

Honestly, Vernon also didn't know what to say to Chloe about this. He wasn't really mentally mature or stable himself. He had a lot of problems of his own.

But he knew Chloe needed to accept the truth, that she couldn't keep lying to Mackie.

"You can go home now, Diamond," Vernon advised.

"C--Can I come? I'm too worried about Chloe...."

"Don't," Vernon rejected immediately. "Your presence might make things worse. Just wait until you hear the good news."

Diamond felt hopeless, but she couldn't do anything except wait now, "Alright, please help her, Vernon. I can't bear seeing her tears...."

Vernon nodded and left the office.

**

Chloe still sat on the sofa, her head hung low, and she cried continuously.

She knew that she couldn't keep hiding things from her daughter. She knew that Mackie would eventually learn about everything.

But whenever Chloe saw her daughter, she was reminded of her young self. When she was Mackie's age, she saw her mother having manic episodes; yelling, and slamming things to release her stress.

It was difficult for a single mother of two to earn a living in New York while caring for her family. She also had no child support as her husband took all their savings and left without a trace.

Chloe remembered how her mother-- Judith, often cried alone, crying over her husband, who had heartlessly left her broke, without a dime that she could use to raise their two daughters.

Chloe couldn't do anything to help her mom when she was a child, but she was indeed lonely.

She envied her friends who had fathers to spend time with, and she couldn't help resenting her father for being a total scum.

So, when she married Vincent, she thought he was a perfect man who would treasure their daughter together, just like how Chloe wanted to be treasured by a complete family consisting of a father and mother.

Thus, even after Vincent showed his true color, she still tried to persevere. She wanted to give Mackie the thing that she didn't get when she was young, a father.

She tried her best to maintain a fake image of a Vincent as a good father because she didn't want Mackie to get heartbroken over her father's true behavior.

"Now it's all useless. There's no use of me doing all of this when I can't keep her innocence..." Chloe lamented. She was so absorbed in her self-blame that she didn't realize her daughter was already staring at her from across the foyer.

Mackie approached her Mommy with concern and put her small hands on Chloe's lap, "Mommy, are you alright?"

Chloe's eyes widened. She looked to her right and saw her daughter staring at her with concern.

"Ah-- I--I'm okay, dear," Chloe quickly used the collar of her shirt to wipe her tears.

"If you're okay, then why are you crying, Mommy?" Mackie asked again.

"Ahaha, you know Mommy cried a lot. It's normal for me...."

"Um... no," Mackie shook her head. "It's not normal, Mommy. I only cry when I'm sad, hurt, or upset. So Mommy must be sad, hurt, or upset...."

"Y--You're just imagining things, dear. Mommy is alright...." Chloe started to get nervous around her daughter after knowing that Mackie was very observant. She still wanted to lie and put up a fake 'everything is okay' persona in front of her daughter. It was almost like a default thing to do for Chloe.

Mackie raised her small hand and touched the corner of her Mommy's eyes. She tried to wipe the tears that couldn't stop flowing and said, "Mommy, don't cry. I feel so sad when you're sad too...."

"I--I'm not sad--"

Mackie shook her head, "Mommy is crying. I know it because...." Mackie put one hand on her chest and continued, "Because my heart is also hurting."

Knowing that Chloe couldn't hide her sadness anymore. She opened her arm and pulled her daughter to hug her. Chloe's body trembled as she tried to repress all of her emotions.

But when her daughter patted her back, as if Mackie understood all the pain and humiliation that Chloe had endured for the past eight years for her, Chloe broke down in tears.

She hugged her daughter tighter than before and repeatedly apologized, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, my dear. I'm sorry I failed to protect you," Chloe murmured constantly. "I did everything but I still failed. I'm sorry."

"Um... Mommy, it's alright. Mommy doesn't need to do anything, just be happy, okay? Mackie is happy when you're happy, Mommy," Mackie said. She sounded too mature for her age, which hurt Chloe the most.

Chapter 533

Vernon parked his car in front of his apartment building and told the valet to park it in the basement. He didn't do this often. He'd usually park the car in the basement himself because he liked the privacy as everyone's eyes would be on him when he walked through this lobby.

But he couldn't care less.

He was worried about Chloe and Mackie. He was scared that Chloe might be saying or doing something stupid because she drowned herself in self-pity and self-blame.

It was always her weakness. Chloe was prone to be hard on herself, so even a small problem could be instigated into a big thing because of Chloe's self-depreciation.

Vernon entered the VIP lift and shot up to the penthouse. He unlocked the door with his fingerprint.

He rushed inside his penthouse, expecting a mess that would be difficult to solve.

But what he saw was Chloe, who hugged her daughter tightly. Her body trembled as she kept murmuring something that Vernon couldn't hear, while Mackie simply stood there, accepting the hug and patting Mommy's back.

Looking distressed, she repeated the same word, "Mommy, it's okay. Don't cry. I feel sad when you're crying."

"Sorry, I'm so sorry, my dear...." Chloe repeated.

Mackie panicked because they had been like this for at least thirty minutes, and her Mommy still cried. She was scared that something might have happened to her Mommy.

She started looking around, trying to do something to help her Mommy and then saw her Uncle Vernon standing still near the door. He looked concerned but unsure whether to interrupt or not.

Mackie's eyes brightened, and she yelled, "Uncle!"

Mackie's voice startled both Chloe and Vernon. Chloe turned her neck as she followed her daughter's line of sight and was petrified when she saw Vernon standing awkwardly near the penthouse door.

"Uncle! Come here, Uncle! Please help Mommy!" Mackie called, and Vernon flinched in response.

He really wanted to come and embrace his family, but he wasn't sure if his presence was wanted by Chloe right now.

"I--I can wait here, you two can continue," Vernon said.

Mackie pouted. She wriggled out of her Mommy's embrace and rushed towards her Uncle.

"Mackie!" Chloe called her daughter's name, but Mackie didn't listen. She approached her Uncle and grabbed his wrist with two small hands.

"L--Little wolf, not now," Vernon warned. He glanced at Chloe, who looked like a mess, and thought Mackie was all Chloe needed, not him.

"Come on, Uncle! Help Mommy!" Mackie urged. She tried her hardest to pull her Uncle's hand, but he didn't budge.

Vernon gulped and finally followed Mackie to approach Chloe, who was sitting on the carpet absentmindedly.

Mackie guided her Uncle to stand before her Mommy and pulled him down so he would sit on the carpet, just like her Mommy.

Vernon followed the little girl's instructions and sat facing Chloe. He swallowed his saliva again. Somehow, he felt even more nervous facing his beloved when she had a mental breakdown.

He was afraid that he might accidentally hurt her fragile heart.

"Okay!" Mackie was happy that her Uncle cooperated with her. She stepped back and observed her Uncle and Mommy, then instructed, "Uncle, hug Mommy now!"

"HUH?!" Vernon was shocked by Mackie's instruction. He shook his head vehemently. "Seriously, Mackie, this is not a good time, your Mom is--" Vernon gave Chloe a quick glance and lowered his voice, "--in too much shock."

Mackie tilted her head. She didn't understand why her Uncle wouldn't cooperate with her because she believed that her Uncle was the one who could make her Mommy happy.

"Uncle, don't you love Mommy?" Mackie asked innocently. But her innocent question was like a spear that stabbed through his heart.

"I--I can't answer that," Vernon replied. "The time is not right. Mackie, you should just go back to your room and let me talk with your Mommy, alright?"

Mackie shook her head, "I won't go back to my room until Uncle hugs Mommy!"

Under pressure from the little girl, Vernon stared at Chloe, who was still staring emptily.

"Vernon..." Chloe finally opened her mouth and called his name softly. But it wasn't a voice of seduction or sweetness. It was filled with grief and desperation. "Please hug me."

Vernon's heart was aching instantly upon hearing her request. He knew that Chloe wanted him to hug her to appease Mackie's request, so Mackie would stop pestering them and return to her room.

"Love..." Vernon murmured with an even softer voice and then leaned closer to her. He opened his arms, and there was a slight pause due to hesitation before Vernon finally hugged Chloe.

He buried her inside his embrace and gently caressed the back of her head.

Chloe's body trembled again, but she said nothing.

Mackie was satisfied with the hug. She nodded approvingly, "Hum! This is better! Mommy, don't cry, okay? Uncle is with us now. We are safe with him!"

"And Uncle, go hug Mommy tighter! Mommy is very sad now!"

"A--Alright," Vernon hugged Chloe tighter until there was no more gap between their bodies.

"Mhm, that's good! Please make her happy, Uncle! I'll be in my room!" Mackie said. She turned around and skipped joyously to the kitchen, where the stair was located, and went downstairs to her room.

...

...

Now there were only Chloe and Vernon in the penthouse. There was an awkward silence between them, and Vernon thought Chloe was uncomfortable with such a tight hug.

But when he was about to release her, Chloe suddenly said, "Don't let me go, Vernon. I need you."

...

Vernon tightened his hug again. They spent a while in this position until Vernon could sense that Chloe's stiff body started loosening.

Vernon was unsure if he should celebrate for Mackie, who had easily accepted him as Vincent's replacement.

He thought it'd be more difficult to coax Mackie into accepting him. But Diamond was right. Mackie was very observant for her age, and she was also understanding and mature. She observed everything around her and could draw a positive opinion from it.

Chapter 534

Even Vernon had to admit that Mackie was far more mature than him when he was her age. Because he saw the world as bleak and full of hatred, while Mackie could still see the love and hope in it.

'I think it's because of Chloe's education too. She is a great mother for that little girl,' Vernon thought.

But at the same time, he was also sad that Mackie's maturity shocked Chloe so much.

"Chloe..." Vernon called her name again. He thought Chloe wouldn't respond, but she did;

"Mm?"

"... You should be happy that Mackie is a smart and sensible kid," Vernon said. "She knows that you've been suffering this whole time with Vincent, and genuinely wants you to be happy."

"She handles this whole thing maturely, something even the young me can't do," Vernon admitted. "So don't be sad anymore. You did great as a mother. You've raised a sensible, smart, and kind little girl."

...

Chloe buried her face deeper into Vernon's chest. She said nothing at first but then opened her mouth after realizing she couldn't keep being upset.

"I know that I should be happy, because Mackie has grown up to be a sensible and smart little girl. Maybe it's also my fault because I tried to baby her too much, even though she's already seven years old," Chloe admitted. "I think I projected my own childhood onto her."

"Your own childhood?"

"Mhm. I wish I wouldn't mature too early when I was young, so I don't need to worry about anything and spent my childhood studying, playing, and having fun in general," Chloe said. "I want to give that life to Mackie. But fate brought me to Vincent, and... you know the rest...."

Vernon gritted his teeth. Knowing how toxic her family was, it wasn't surprising that Chloe was robbed of her childhood.

So it was natural for her to want the best childhood for Mackie since she couldn't enjoy hers.

But still...

"You may want to raise her with your standard. But Mackenzie is still her own person. She has independent thought no matter how much you try to control her," Vernon said. "You did great nonetheless. You've raised a sensible and smart little girl, in fact...."

Vernon gently pushed Chloe's shoulder until his arm's length, so they could stare into each other's eyes. He confessed, "You are a great caretaker in general, Chloe. You raised me well too. You're the only reason why I haven't turned into a monster like Vincent."

"So, I've never doubted you and your motherly instinct," Vernon said. "You just need to know that you can't fully expect Mackie to grow up like what you expected her to be."

"You also shouldn't try to hide anything from her. You don't need to tell her explicitly about Vincent. But you don't need to hide it anymore."

"But... What would happen If Mackie knows that her father is an abusive scum? Will it ruin her future? Will it ruin her view of men? What about the father figure in her life?" Chloe's mind was filled with anxiety.

"She will know about it eventually. If you keep lying to her, you'll only ruin your relationship with Mackie. She might blame you for hiding things for too long," Vernon said. "And no, her future and view of men will not be ruined. Because I will be her new father figure. I will raise her as my daughter," Vernon claimed boldly.

He had already claimed it a few times in front of Chloe, but Chloe was always unsure whether Vernon was ready to bear such a heavy responsibility as a father.

"I don't know if you're ready for it, Vernon," Chloe said. "After all, fatherhood wasn't something you do during your free time. You need to be present in the child's life, and you can't get bored of it, because a child is not a toy. They will always see you as their father, and you cannot simply leave when you are tired."

Naturally, Vernon knew and understood the role of a father.

He experienced a life where he was treated like a toy by his own family. His father treated him like an insignificant family member, almost like a toy. His Big brother treated him like an obedient pet, and his mother... he didn't even want to be reminded of that bitch's awful abuse towards him when he was young.

"You forgot that I don't have a good parent figure in my life," Vernon mentioned. "Naturally, I don't want to be an awful man like my Big brother and late father. I also don't want to be an abusive asshole like my mother. My desire to have a normal family is far bigger than you expected."

"I want to raise Mackie as my daughter. I want to have a family of my own, and I can only see it when you and Mackie are inside the picture," Vernon admitted. He thought there was no need to hide his own feelings at this point.

It was clear that he did everything for Chloe and Mackie. He did everything because he wanted a family, and no woman would do anything except Chloe.

Chloe wanted to deny Vernon's statement as she thought he was just making empty promises.

But she saw the spark of seriousness in his eyes. He also gave Chloe that pleading look, begging for Chloe to trust him and his promise to be a good father.

"Trust me, Chloe. Trust me with everything and I will give you the happy ending that you deserve," Vernon said.

Chloe kept staring into Vernon's eyes, and her heartbeat started accelerating.

She sighed defeatedly and murmured, "I really can't say no when you're pleading like that."

"R--Really? So you will accept me as Mackie's new father?" Vernon couldn't believe what he had heard just now. He confessed his desire to be Mackie's father because he truly cared for Mackie and Chloe deep down. He didn't expect Chloe to accept his plea.

Chapter 535

Chloe smiled and leaned forward. She took the initiative and gave Vernon a gentle kiss on the lips.

Chu.

Vernon was stunned by the short and gentle kiss. It was almost like a feather brushing on his lips. He didn't even have time to enjoy it before Chloe retreated.

Chloe's cheeks reddened as a sweet smile and glimmer in her eyes had returned, "Thank you for wanting to be Mackie's father. I hope things will improve so we can make it official."

…

Vernon knew that he had told himself about this many times.

But no matter how often he said it, he couldn't help but marvel at Chloe's beauty.

She was truly the most beautiful woman on earth. The goddess in his dream.

"You're truly a beauty when you're brimming with happiness," Vernon murmured.

"Eh? Mmffh—" Chloe was taken aback when Vernon suddenly kissed her, and it wasn't the same light kiss she gave him just now.

It was a kiss full of passion, the kind of kiss you'd expect coming from a lover who had a deep love for his woman.

"Mmhh… ah…" Chloe struggled a little out of reflex. But as Vernon kept kissing her, her defense started crumbling down, and she accepted the kiss wholeheartedly.

Just like how she finally put all of her trust in him wholeheartedly.

'It should've been this way since the beginning,' Chloe thought as she enjoyed Vernon's kiss.

**

Mackie was playing with a doll in her room when she heard a knock on the door. She looked over her shoulder, staring at the door for a while until she heard another knock.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in!" Mackie yelled.

Click.

"Ah, Mommy— Uncle!" Mackie's face brightened when she saw her Mommy standing at the door, accompanied by her Uncle, who stood right behind her. They were smiling at her, so Mackie got up and threw herself into her Mommy's embrace.

"Mommy!" Mackie hugged her Mommy and buried her face in Chloe's stomach.

In response, Chloe patted her daughter's head, "Yes, dear?"

Mackie looked up. She stared at her mother's eyes filled with happiness, bringing the same joy in the little girl's heart in return.

"Mommy, are you okay now? Don't be sad, okay? I don't want to see you cry again…."

"Mommy is okay," Chloe replied. She smiled and looked over her shoulder momentarily, "Thanks to you and your Uncle, of course."

"Un! I will do anything to make Mommy happy!" Mackie said before she released her hug. She sidestepped her mother, hugged her Uncle's thigh, and looked up, "Uncle, thank you for making my Mommy happy! I won't call you Big Bad Uncle for one week as a reward!"

"Heh, only for one week?"

"Un! Only for one week! Uncle is still bad!"

Vernon chuckled, "Fine, we're going on a one-week-truce."

Chloe had fun staring at her daughter and Vernon, who bickered as if they were truly a father-and-daughter duo. Even Mackie never showed that kind of bickering with Vincent because Vincent always gave her fake pampering, not a genuine one like Vernon.

"Alright, it's time for dinner," Vernon said. "We called you here for dinner, you know."

"Oh!" Mackie's expression brightened, she checked on her Mommy and realized that her Mommy's right hand was still wrapped in a cast, so it wasn't her who cooked dinner today.

Then her eyes dimmed again, "Is it your cooking again, Uncle?"

"Hey, what's wrong with my food? I made good food!"

"It's worse than Mom's cooking," Mackie said bluntly.

"Well, you can't compare my cooking with hers. I'm not as good as hers, but mine is still great!" Vernon insisted.

"Mhm, sure, Uncle," Mackie agreed unenthusiastically.

"Ahahah, it's okay. I will help, Vernon," Chloe offered.

"Huh? You're still injured, you should rest," Vernon said. "I don't want you to get another injury because you have to use one hand to help me."

"No, no, I will help by telling you what to do. We will make our dinner with my recipe, but with your hand as the cook," Chloe said.

"Oh, that's great! I can finally eat Mommy's cooking again!" Mackie cheered.

Vernon frowned, "I still don't want you to step on the kitchen for a while. But if you insist, then I will be your assistant, Chef."

**

Mackie was watching with sparkling eyes as she saw her Mommy instruct her Uncle to prepare all the ingredients, cut it, put it in the oven, boil it, et cetera.

They were making quesadillas and lasagna.

"Alright, that's it for the lasagna," Vernon said as he put the lasagna inside the oven and set the timer and temperature based on Chloe's instruction.

"Good job," Chloe said. She pulled a few sheets of tissue and wiped the sweat on Vernon's forehead and cheek. "Sorry that you have to do a lot."

Vernon looked at his beloved and raised his eyebrow, "Why are you apologizing? It's my duty to cook until you've recovered. Besides, I should be the one who thank you, because you gave me the best recipe to make quesadilla and lasagna."

Vernon darted his eyes at a big plate full of quesadillas. He picked one slice and then fed it to Chloe, "You should try it. It's your recipe."

"Mm…" Chloe opened her mouth and gave the quesadilla a bite. She munched it several times and nodded approvingly, "It's good. It tastes like what I usually make."

"Oh, nice!" Vernon ate the half-bitten food in his hand and nodded. "That tastes great!"

Vernon was happy that he could finally replicate Chloe's dishes. He had to admit that Chloe had that special touch because no matter how skilled he was at cooking, somehow Chloe's food would always taste better.

Vernon grabbed another slice and called Mackie, watching them from the dining table, "Mackie, come here and try this! It tastes just like your mother's cooking!"

"Really?!" Mackie jumped excitedly. She rushed to the kitchen and opened her mouth, ready to eat the homemade quesadilla.

"Aaa—umpp—" Mackie munched it a few times, and her eyes brightened. "It tastes just like Mom's cooking! Uncle is amazing!"