[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-26032258F3A3-529":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},529,15,"Chapter 15: The Bunny-Shaped Pancakes","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine Miller scrutinized the man standing before her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was strikingly handsome, with a tall, imposing frame and an air of cold, arrogant detachment. He didn't look like the type of person who would be interested in a roommate arrangement. Had she gone to the wrong door?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On the other end of the line, her friend was still rambling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That shouldn't be right! The agent specifically said it was a woman!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh no, this is a disaster. It’s going to be incredibly awkward living with a man, isn't it? Just come stay at my place for a while. I’ll find you another apartment.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine felt a wave of frustration. Her well-meaning friend seemed to have forgotten that he was also a man, one who had been in a long-term relationship and was about to head down the aisle. If she wasn't comfortable living with a stranger, what made him think she’d be comfortable crashing at his place?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man in the doorway, clearly catching the drift of the conversation, rubbed his temples with a weary sigh. \"My apologies. My sister set this up... why don't you come inside and we can talk?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine cut the call and dragged her suitcase across the threshold. She still felt physically weak, and the suitcase was heavy enough that she stumbled slightly as she entered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man instinctively reached out to take the handle. \"Have a seat. Let me call my sister and figure out what went wrong.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine offered a polite, embarrassed murmur of thanks, but as she stepped further into the apartment, the shrill, piercing scream of a child cut through the air.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Uncle! Do you even know how to cook? This is disgusting!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She followed the sound to find a five- or six-year-old girl. Dressed in a frilly, bubblegum-pink dress with a matching bow in her hair, the child looked like a porcelain doll, but her face was twisted in a mask of pure disdain. She was holding a small bowl of oatmeal, ready to dump it on the floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man’s brow twitched. He barked, \"Charleigh Flores! Do not waste that food!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The girl named Charleigh froze for two seconds, then opened her mouth and unleashed a wail so loud and soul-shattering it made one question the very purpose of existence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You’re yelling at me! I’m telling Mom you yelled at me!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Waaaaah! Daddy doesn't want me anymore, and you’re mean to me, too! I don't want to live anymore!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man’s face went dark. \"Who taught you to talk like that? Do you need a timeout?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Charleigh didn't lower her volume, but she scooted back a few inches, her dark, glossy eyes fixed on the man, ready to bolt at a moment's notice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine couldn't help it; a small, amused laugh escaped her lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man finally remembered he wasn't alone. He looked at Elaine, his eyes filled with a mixture of annoyance and apology. \"Forgive me... I’m Arthur Bennett. This is my niece.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The nanny is on leave, and she’s a particularly picky eater...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm not picky! You just can't cook!\" Charleigh shrieked, wailing even harder. Arthur’s knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists, a vein pulsing in his forehead.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">While Arthur looked like he was about to lose his mind, something in Elaine’s chest shifted. Seeing Charleigh made her think of Maisie, her own daughter. If Maisie were older, would she be just like this?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her expression softened. She glanced at the bowl of bland oatmeal in Charleigh’s hand. It was watery and tasteless—it was no wonder a child would hate it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A child shouldn't go hungry,\" Elaine said quietly. \"Mr. Bennett, may I borrow your kitchen?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arthur looked surprised, but he nodded. \"Of course.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The kitchen was well-stocked. Elaine got to work, eventually placing a few bunny-shaped pancakes in front of Charleigh.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The little girl took a suspicious bite, and her eyes lit up. She forgot all about her tantrum and began to devour them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine couldn't tell whether to laugh or cry. Just how inedible was Arthur's cooking to make a child this hungry? Then, a wave of melancholy washed over her. She wondered how Maisie was doing. Would she ever see her children again?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine sighed and turned to Arthur. \"Mr. Bennett, I don’t know what kind of misunderstanding led to this, but could I possibly stay here for a few days? I’ll pay rent, of course, and I’ll move out as soon as I find a proper place.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't move out,\" Arthur said instantly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elaine blinked. \"What?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arthur looked at her with an intensity that suggested a man who had been tortured by a bratty child for days and had finally found his savior. \"You can stay here. As long as you want.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Forget the rent,\" he added. \"I just need you to do me a favor.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272928652]