Chapter 1776:


    “Mommy, can I?” Her voice came out soft and sweet, her bright eyes wide and hopeful, every bit of childish charm she possessed working in full effect.


    Gillian didn’t answer immediately. Both Henrik and Adide looked at her, their expressions full of quiet expectation. After a brief pause, she let out a small sigh. “Alright. I’lle with you both.”


    “Yes!” Adide pped her small hands together, delight breaking across her face.


    Henrik was just as pleased. He held the little cake forward without dy. “Go on, Adide, try it. Tell me what you think.”


    He watched her with a warmth he couldn’t quite contain. She was unmistakably a Martel — lovely, sweet, and entirely impossible not to adore. He had a great-granddaughter. The thought settled into him with a quiet, deep satisfaction. At least, he thought to himself with a privateugh, Alban had managed to do one thing right.


    But Adide didn’t take a bite. Instead, she turned and looked toward Christina and Gillian, lifting her hand in a small wave.


    “Miss Jones, Mommy —e here.”


    The two women moved to the bedside, both smiling.


    “What is it, sweetheart?” Christina asked.


    Adide was always pretty, but when she smiled, something about her softened the whole room. She picked up a small fork, pierced a careful sliver of the cake, and held her other palm beneath it to catch any crumbs. Then, with deliberate gentleness, she held it out to Christina.


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    “You saved me,” she said simply. “You should eat first.”


    Christina blinked, caught off guard by the thoughtfulness of it. She took the piece and ate it, smiling. “Thank you, Adide.”


    “Is it good?” Adide asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.


    “It’s wonderful,” Christina said.


    Adide’s face broke into a wide, satisfied grin. “If Miss Jones says it’s wonderful, then it must be wonderful.” She forked another small piece and turned to her mother.


    “Mommy, you’ve done so much for me too. You should try some.”


    Gillian’s eyes filled immediately. “I will,” she said, her voice unsteady as she epted the piece from her daughter’s outstretched hand.


    In that moment, holding that small bite of cake, she felt as though she were holding the whole world. It tasted like the most extraordinary thing she had ever eaten.


    “Is it good, Mommy?”


    “It’s the best cake I’ve ever had,” Gillian said, pressing the back of her hand to her eyes before the tears could fall.


    Henrik had gone very quiet. His eyes were glistening, and he blinked against the sting in them. Adide’s generosity — the instinct to share before she had even tasted it herself — moved him more than he had words for. She and her mother had been through so much. When the time came for them to join the Martel family, he would make sure they were cherished for the rest of their lives.


    “Mr. Martel, you should have some too,” Adide said cheerfully, holding out a piece toward him.


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    Message from Noa: Dear readers we got today two new novels that you requested for, enjoy them. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. ( ? ? – ) ?


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