Chapter 288
Chapter 288 The Calm After the Poison Fades
“Okay
The two walked over to the dining table.
“Is your mom awake yet?” Zora asked.
She had no idea how long Kimberly had been sleeping
“Not yet.” Maya shook her head.
The antidote has a strong side effect of drowsiness. Some people slept longer, while others woke up quickly.
‘Let’s eat first. I made her oatmeal. I’ll feed her once she wakes up.
“You can’t have too much meat, so I only cooked smoked ribs. I’ll make you something more delicious next time.” Maya said gently.
Zora started eating the ribs.
Maya had prepared three dishes: smoked ribs, sautéed bell peppers, and potato salad.
“Mm-hmm.” Zora nodded obediently.
She had gotten used to the strict meal habits lately, only allowing herself one meat dish per meal.
Even if multiple meat dishes were served on the table, she would never take extra without being told.
They finished eating around four o’clock.
Autumn had arrived, so the sky darkened early, and the sun had already set.
Just then, movement came from the bedroom.
Maya hurried toward the room, and Zora followed closely behind her.
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They pushed open the door and saw Kimberly staring at the unfamiliar surroundings, her face full of terror.
“My doll! Where’s my doll p>
She frantically searched every corner of the room.
“Baby’ Where are you, baby p>
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Chapter 288 The Calm After the Poison Fades
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Kimberly tossed the quilt off the bed onto the floor. She leaned over the mattress, searching desperately.
When the bedroom door opened, she flinched back on the bed, drew her limbs in, and stared at them, wary and frightened.
“Mom,” Maya walked to the bedside and called softly.
“Who are you… What do you want?” Kimberly watched them warily.
“My doll… Where’s my baby? Have you seen it? Please give my baby back to me p>
In the next second, Kimberly scrambled up from the bed and rushed straight toward Maya.
She tightly grabbed Maya’s hands, her voice tight with anxiety as she kept asking questions.
The pill was already taking effect. The Heart Corroding Poison inside Kimberly’s body was slowly fading away, and her memories were gradually changing along with it.
It would take at least two full days for her to completely forget everything from her past.
“Mom, your doll is here. I’ll find it for you p>
Maya soothed her while bending down to look for the toy.
They had brought the doll home with them. Kimberly had been holding it tight in her arms when she fell asleep.
“Okay… Find my doll. Find my baby p>
Į
Kimberly was no longer frantic like before. She could finally listen and respond to others.
“Here it is p>
Zora bent down and picked up the doll that had fallen under the bed.
“My doll, my baby… I’m sorry, Mommy didn’t mean it. Can you forgive me p>
Kimberly snatched the doll from Zora’s hand and gently stroked its hair.
She slipped back into her own quiet world.
“Her memories will keep fading little by little. She’ll completely forget everything in two days.
“Her mood will be unstable during these two days. You can burn the calming incense I gave you in her room to help her rest better.
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Chapter 288 The Calm After the Poison Fades
“I’ll prepare medicinal food for her tomorrow to help her body recover,” Zora explained.
“Alright, thank you so much, Zora p>
Night fell quickly. Zora didn’t stay longer. Maya walked her downstairs.
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“You don’t have to walk me out. Your mom is still home alone. Leighton’s nearby anyway; he’s coming to pick me up p>
Zora walked forward, stepping on the long shadows on the ground, still holding the sunflower Maya had given her.
Maya kept walking right beside her.
“I’ll walk you to the gate of the community p>
Zora did not refuse.
The moment they stepped outside the community, they saw Leighton’s car already waiting by the road.
He had asked where Zora was earlier, and since he was passing by this area, he’d come to pick her up.
A sleek car stood out on the street.
His wrist rested casually on the car window, fair and clean. The ember of his cigarette glowed faintly red.
The window was halfway rolled down, revealing his strikingly handsome face with a calm, indifferent expression.
Noticing Zora’s arrival, he turned his head and looked over.
Their eyes locked instantly.
Leighton extinguished his cigarette and rolled the car window all the way down.
The cold, distant look on his face faded, replaced by soft warmth in his eyes, like snow melting gently in the sun.
At that moment, a strange little flutter stirred in Zora’s chest, light and fleeting.
She had never seen Leighton look like this before.
In front of her, Leighton was always gentle, easy-going, and smiling.
But the look she’d just caught on him held a laid-back, faintly rogue charm she’d never seen on
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Chapter 288 The Calm After the Poison Fades
him before.
“Leighton.” Zora walked toward the car.
She caught a faint smell of cigarette smoke and subtly furrowed her brows.
The second he saw her, Leighton’s expression softened.
“Mr. Pierce,” Maya greeted politely.
“Hello. Thank you for looking after Zora at school.” Leighton nodded politely in return.
His gaze settled on Maya’s face, pausing slightly on her eyes.
She looked familiar, like someone he had seen before.
“It’s nothing. Zora is the one who’s always looking out for me,” Maya answered calmly.
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No hint of insecurity lingered in her manner. When she spoke of Zora, her eyes held only gentle warmth.
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