Volume 1 Chapter 51

Volume 1 + Chapter 51: I’m Sorry

When Eve returned home, it was already near dusk. As she pushed open the door, Leah was quietly waiting beside the pile of fabric, appearing somewhat drowsy, perhaps from waiting too long.

Her small body was curled up on the sofa, arms tightly hugging her knees, her little head bobbing up and down, as if she might fall asleep at any moment.

Hearing Eve open the door, the previously drowsy Leah immediately became alert.

She looked towards the door and indeed saw Eve’s figure, whom she had been yearning for.

Excited, she jumped straight off the sofa, not minding how cold the floor was, and rushed barefoot into Eve’s arms.

“Mama, you’re finally back.”

Leah’s voice carried a hint of tears, her soft tone making Eve’s heart tighten.

After all, Eve had said she would go out to help solve her problem, but Leah had waited for half a day without seeing Eve return. As the sky outside grew darker, Leah’s mood also became increasingly heavy with the darkening sky.

She began to regret causing Eve so much trouble.

She even wondered if the trouble she caused was so serious that Eve didn’t want her anymore?

“Did you wait long? I’m sorry, I ran into something that delayed me. Where’s Qianzhi?”

Eve looked around, and only Leah was in the spacious room.

This girl was already prone to overthinking, and Eve couldn’t imagine what she had gone through during the time she was away.

“Sister Qianzhi said she had something at home and had to attend an important banquet, so she left first.”

“Is that so? Have you had dinner? Shall we eat something first, and then start making your dress?”

Eve looked at Leah in her arms, who was holding onto her tightly and refusing to let go, and couldn’t help but soften her tone further.

“I’m not hungry, and I don’t need a dress anymore. I don’t want to cause you any more trouble… I’m sorry…”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because… because worthless people who can’t create value and only cause trouble, in the end, can only be thrown away on the roadside.”

Leah tremblingly expressed her inner worries, which was also the only survival rule this cruel world had instilled in her.

To hear such words from a child barely half-grown, honestly moved Eve deeply.

How old was she? At an age when she should be innocently getting to know the world, all the beautiful words Eve could think of should have been focused on this child before her…

However, Eve didn’t see the innocence unique to children in her, but rather saw a maturity tinged with bitterness on her childish face.

“Who taught you these words?”

“Uu…”

Leah let out a grieving whimper. Nobody had taught her, it was just the experience she had gathered herself while struggling through the mud.

“I don’t want to be thrown away by you.”

“Who would throw you away…”

Eve looked at the gloomy night outside, and she could probably understand what this girl was thinking.

During the time she and Qianzhi were away, with her personality, she must have been constantly reflecting on herself, right?

She hadn’t done anything wrong, just caused Eve some trouble, but this was enough to make this sensible child feel guilty for half a day.

If Eve had been delayed by something else and hadn’t returned tonight, she didn’t even know how big of a shadow it would cast on her.

Without realizing it, Eve had already become Leah’s entire world.

“It’s okay, no one blames you, really. You didn’t do anything wrong, don’t think about it too much, it’s all over.”

“Tomorrow is your big day. Let’s make a dress that will stun everyone, and then completely turn the page on your past painful memories, okay?”

Eve held Leah’s little face, gently wiping away the tears with her fingers.

“Can we really turn the page?”

“Of course we can. I said I would protect you for life. I keep my promises…”

In the blink of an eye, it was already deep into the night.

Leah was curled up beside Eve, too tired to keep her eyes open anymore.

And the dress in Eve’s hands was only half finished.

To be honest, Leah didn’t care whether she had a beautiful dress to wear tomorrow, she would be content just being able to attend the graduation ceremony with Eve.

She wasn’t staying by Eve’s side now because she had any expectations for the dress, but simply because she wanted to be with her.

Unfortunately, children couldn’t stay up late, and while helping Eve by holding the ball of thread, she fell asleep before long.

“Tsk.”

A small drop of blood appeared on Eve’s beautiful fingertip, and she hurriedly put her finger in her mouth.

This wasn’t the first time she had pricked her finger, although she was skilled at making the dress, small mistakes were still unavoidable.

Almost every time Eve pricked her finger, Leah would lean over with a concerned face, very sensibly puckering her little lips to blow “hoo-hoo” on Eve’s injured finger.

But this time Leah had no reaction, and when Eve turned her head, sure enough, this girl had fallen asleep leaning against her.

But even in sleep, her expression remained very serious.

“Ah, she can’t even dream peacefully.”

Eve helplessly picked up Leah and carried her to her bedroom door, but after a second thought, she carried Leah into her own bedroom instead.

If this girl suddenly woke up in the middle of the night and saw herself sleeping beside her, it should give her more comfort, right?

“Such a poor child.”

Eve tucked Leah in and secretly made up her mind that no matter what, she had to make the most perfect dress for Leah.

She wanted to show everyone that Leah was not some wild child. She had someone who cared for and loved her!