HELLENEWhile I was still frozen in shock, Vivienne seemed to realize something belatedly.“Wait,” she said, her brows knitting slightly. “What did you just call me? Mrs. Blackthorne?”The moment I heard that, I instantly understood what she was really asking for.Or rather, what she wanted to hear.My expression turned faintly awkward.That word felt strangely unfamiliar to me.Honestly, I could probably count on both hands the number of times I had ever called the woman who gave birth to me that.Yet now—Feeling the weight of the necklace resting against my skin, then looking down at the undeniably precious jewelry box still in my hands, I found myself unable to deny the sincerity of the woman seated beside me.And sincerity…Sincerity had always been the one thing I didn’t know how to guard against.At this point, whether I addressed her as Mrs. Blackthorne or Aunt Vivienne, neither felt truly appropriate anymore.Taking a slow, silent breath, I mentally prepared myself.“M-Mom,”
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