Chapter 3The Terms and Conditions

The next day, after dropping Zoe at school, I drove to my shop.

When Zoe was little, I ran a small baking business from home so I could look after her. After she got a bit older, and I won a fairly prestigious international baking award, I opened my own patisserie. Business had been good, and I was even thinking about opening a second location.

Not long after I arrived, a customer came in. She wanted to order a five-tier cake for a birthday celebration.

"Of course," I said, smiling as we sat down to discuss the details.

She was an elegant woman in a green dress, impeccably maintained, with a warm smile. But having met all sorts of people, I felt her smile was a little… eager.

As we chatted, she mentioned her "good-for-nothing" son who refused to get married or have kids, causing her endless worry.

"You know how it is, they have their own paths. Maybe the right person just hasn't come along yet," I offered politely. "I have a friend who was single until she was 34, then suddenly met the one, got married, and just had a baby last month."

"Oh, I've given up on him," she said. "I was just hoping that while his father and I still have some energy, we could help raise a child. He's such a waste, I'm afraid my granddaughter will turn out just like him."

"You don't even know if you'll have a granddaughter," I laughed.

"It's a gut feeling, you know? A really strong one." She grabbed my hand enthusiastically. "And we're not one of those families that prefers boys! We'd cherish a grandson or a granddaughter all the same! Even though my son is useless, our family values are very strong. If we had a sweet grandbaby, the whole family would rally to support her!"

I looked at her overly bright smile and hesitated. "Excuse me for asking, but do you know Leo?"

"Oh, heavens, I'm his mother! Daughter-in-law, so nice to finally meet you! This is a little something for you!"

It was like she was just waiting for me to ask. She eagerly pulled a stunningly clear jade bracelet from her purse and tried to slide it onto my wrist.

My heart sank. That bastard, Leo. He knew he couldn't win, so he sent his mother. Was he taking advantage of the fact that my own mother was no longer around?