While cracking melon seeds, the maid animatedly talked to her friends.

"You know, it's such a shame about my previous employer! That young woman is so sophisticated, it's clear she had never known hardship. Sadly, she married a horrible man. That man is not only broke, but he also brought his love child home and made her take care of the kid! He seems kind and easygoing, but how could he do such a terrible thing to his wife? And the poor woman didn't even object; she consented to taking care of the boy... Then, the boy fell ill last night. The man was not around. He was on a business trip, so she had to tend to the boy alone... She's capable, but I'm not up for that!"

The maid paused briefly and went on, “Luckily, I got out of there as soon as I could! Otherwise, there is bound to be a lot of trouble ahead!"

Just as the other women there with her were about to chime in, they noticed Elissa standing not far away.

Seeing their expressions shift, the maid turned to look as well.

Her face twitched, but then she forced a smile. "Isn't it a small world... Mrs. Jones!"

Elissa replied with a faint smile, “That's right! I was just thinking about you, and here you are, chatting about my affairs! But you're mistaken. Brantley is my younger brother and actually my father's love child, not my husband's!"

The maid was left speechless by this revelation.

Meanwhile, the other women gathered their things and dispersed.

Elissa wasn't one to cause trouble so she wouldn't make things hard for the maid. After speaking her mind, she was about to leave, but the maid stopped her and said honestly, "Mrs. Jones, please don't hold it against me for being practical. As a maid, my first rule is to avoid working for families with multiple children or caring for pregnant women. I hope you don't take this personally."

Elissa replied with a gentle smile, "I get it! I'm still thankful for what you did for me and my brother last night."

Although Elissa spoke sincerely, the maid held a grudge in her heart.

She felt Elissa would look down on her and resent her after catching her speaking ill of her behind her back!

From that day forward, even when the maid would occasionally run into Elissa, she acted as if they were strangers. This behavior made Elissa feel a bit uneasy and somewhat down. Luckily, she had Brantley with her.

Brantley did well in school and was always sweet to her.

As the weather turned colder, sometimes she would wake up at night with cold feet.

Then Brantley would quietly slip into her bed and use his body heat to warm her feet... Over time, Elissa felt incredibly Lucky to have someone like Brantley with her.

One weekend, she took Brantley to the cemetery.

After all, the rivalry between the older generation had ended with their passing. What was the point of holding onto that hate?

In the early winter, the air was a bit chilly.

Brantley took Elissa's hand as he gazed at his mother's tomb.

It felt Like his mother had been gone for ages.

The person beside him seemed to have taken his mother's place and become his family.

Together, they stood side by side.