Chapter 2

After moving out of the Brooks residence, I bought a place in the suburbs and started gardening.

But that wasn't enough for me, so I went ahead and turned part of the yard into a vegetable garden. Day after day, the plants took root and started to sprout.

I was actually pretty talented at growing things, but Jayson never liked it.

He thought I should be at party halls, in the piano room, or at the very least, hanging out in a café.

Malani also said I was basic. Once, she sighed, "The teacher taught us a new piece today. Mom just doesn't get it. If Fallon were around, she'd understand."

Since then, I could only set my garden aside.

*****

At first, the vegetable garden was thriving, but then some of the plants started mysteriously disappearing.

I didn't pay much attention until one day I discovered a little thief.

She looked to be about six or seven years old.

She slipped out of the backyard, her arms overflowing with tomatoes and cucumbers. The moment she spotted me, she darted off like a frightened rabbit, scattering the veggies everywhere as she ran.

She didn't seem like a criminal, just a kid desperate for food, so I decided to let it slide.

She came by every day, but only ever picked tomatoes and cucumbers.

Sometimes, when I was bored, I'd put out some apples or bananas, but she never wanted them.

After about half a month, when she showed up again, I couldn't help but talk to her, "Hey, why not grab an apple before you leave?"

The girl paused, just stood there by the door, her head hanging low.

This was the first time I really got a close look at her, skinny, her skin dark from the sun, and her clothes looked washed out and old.

When she took the apple, she finally glanced up at me and mumbled a quiet "thanks."

I nodded, and when she saw me working the fertilizer into the soil, she just quietly hung around nearby.

After that, I'd always slip a few extra fruits in with the veggies. It became our little routine, and she'd just take them without a fuss.

But one day, I didn't leave any out.

*****

"Need a hand?" a man asked.

I turned around and bumped right into those familiar, flirtatious eyes. It was Arian Hughes, the junior, who had a crush on me back in college.

"Robin said your roses weren't doing well, so she sent me over to check them out," Arian said.

The girl next to me fidgeted with her shirt, looking pretty nervous.

I just nodded and moved aside.

Arian took a closer look at the roses, glanced around, and said, "Powdery mildew."

He pointed over there. "Just move them somewhere with more sunlight and fresh air, and trim off the sick branches. They'll get better in no time."

Some things were just better left to the pros.

Arian caught me staring and just gave me a knowing smile. "I was bored, so I thought I'd come over and do a livestream for fun."

I was a bit surprised, but I didn't press further. When I was about to thank him, he pointed at the girl. "Don't thank me, I'm just here because Robin was freaking out."

Maybe Robin picked up on my relief, because her face relaxed too. But when she heard her name, her ears instantly turned red.

When our eyes met, I gave her a gentle smile. "Thanks, Robin."

She nodded and scurried off, a little awkward with her steps.

Arian said Robin Foster was one of those kids left with her grandparents while her parents worked away, and her grandpa didn't really take care of her, so she was always hungry.

After saying that, he pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket. "Here, take this as payment for what she's been taking from your garden."

I watched Robin's lighthearted figure disappear, shook my head, and said, "Let's just call it even with the roses."

After that, Arian started coming by more often, and eventually he asked, "Could you help me out with something?"

That's when I found out he was doing livestreams to help local farmers. He said my place looked really nice and wondered if he could feature it in his streams.

"The villagers' produce is great, but their backgrounds aren't very attractive. Your place is just what I need," he explained.

I didn't have any reason to refuse, so I agreed.

After setting everything up, I realized all his equipment was just a simple phone on a stand. Robin was sitting in front of the phone, sampling the food on a plate.

Most people were probably just there for Arian's face, but the stream had a good turnout, and Arian was running around trying to keep up.

I happened to help out with the produce, and when I turned, I saw Robin with food smeared all over her mouth.

Out of habit from taking care of Malani, I automatically reached out to wipe her mouth. Robin froze for a second, and then just let me do it quietly.

After I finished up and headed back to the living room, a message popped up: [Got a minute?]

Before I could even reply, my phone started ringing.

I answered, and Jayson's voice came through with that familiar mocking lilt. "You're actually selling stuff on livestream now?"

There was a brief silence before he let out a soft sigh. "Even though we are going to divorce, you don't have to stoop this low."

Knowing him so well, I could already picture his face, arrogant and completely unable to understand.

I wasn't planning to answer, but Malani spoke up first, "Is that Mom?"

I replied softly, and her voice instantly brightened, with a hint of a playful lilt at the end.

She started telling me all about how she got a gold star, how her piano teacher praised her, and how she was the top student in her flower arranging class.

She chattered on for a while, and then suddenly paused, like she was waiting for something.

Back then, I'd be throwing compliments at her before she even finished her sentence. Now, I just listened quietly.

There was a hint of urgency in her voice on the other end. "Mom, you forgot to praise me."

Suddenly, Arian came running in and said, "Robin's fainted."

Then I tossed out a quick "good job" into the phone and hung up.

Malani Brooks's POV

Malani didn't seem happy at all when she heard Danielle Brooks's praise. She handed the phone to Jayson, kept her head down, her voice muffled. "Mom seems pretty busy."

Just then, a maid who was watching the livestream walked by with her phone and casually said, "That's Mrs. Brooks."