Wendy picked through the clothes, but her eyes were full of surprise.


    She had never seen Ellie so eager to go out before. As expected, Anneliese really had some kind of magic over her.


    Maybe this really was fate.


    After choosing Ellie''s outfit for tomorrow, Wendy left the child''s room, returned to her own, and immediately called Steven.


    Steven had already finished his New Year break and was back at work, currently leading the first meeting of the year.


    He took out his phone, nning to decline the call, but when he saw it was from his almighty mother, he had no choice but to stand up and pause the meeting.


    If his mother called at this time, it was usually something important.


    He walked quickly out of the conference room and answered the call. The moment he held the phone to his ear, his mother''s excited voice burst out.


    "Steven, something amazing just happened. Guess what?"


    It was rare to hear Wendy speak in such a tone. Steven froze for a moment, his curiosity piqued.


    "Did your wedding gown collection fromst year win another international award?"


    "No! Use your imagination. Think bolder!"


    "You''re getting married again? I''d like that."


    Wendy was speechless. "What are you talking about? Are you only going to feel at peace once you marry your own mother off?"


    He''d been talking about it several times this year.


    "Well, I''d be fine even if your husband ends up being younger than me."


    Realizing that the conversation was getting out of hand, Wendy tried to salvage it.


    "Hurry up and guess again."


    Steven felt helpless. "Mom, I''m in the middle of a meeting."


    "It was your daughter. She just spoke!"


    Even Steven needed a moment to react, for he could hardly believe it.


    "What did you say?" His fingers tightened around the phone.


    He had raised his daughter all on his own, being both father and mother to her. Because of her autism, she had never spoken a single word since she was little.


    He had taken her to countless renowned doctors, but all of them said the same thing. There was nothing physically wrong with Ellie, and her silence was purely psychological.


    He''d brought her to so many psychologists too, but nothing ever changed. And now, his mother was suddenly telling him that his daughter had spoken! Steven pressed his lips together. "Mom, was it just a dream?"


    Wendy wanted to reach through the phone and w him. She hurriedly described everything that had just happened.


    When Steven heard that it was Anneliese who managed to get Ellie to speak, only then did he truly believe his mother wasn''t dreaming in broad daylight.


    His breathing turned unsteady for a moment, and guilt slowly crept in.


    A few months ago, when India told him that Anneliese had found Ellie and even taken care of her for a night, he should''ve taken it more seriously.


    But he hadn''t.


    He quickly brought his daughter back to Halden and never gave Anneliese another chance to spend time with Ellie.


    Anneliese had only met Ellie twice. And yet, on their third encounter, she''d actually managed to make the child speak through a video call.


    This was unbe


    le.


    If he''d known earlier, he would''ve arranged for them to spend more time together months ago. By now, perhaps his daughter might be telling him bedtime stories instead.


    "I''ll contact Dr Maguireter and DEA have him take a look. Mom, please help me pick out an appropriate thank-you gift. I''ll personally bring Ellie over to express our gratitude," Steven said once he''d calmed down and started making arrangements.


    Rupert Maguire was Ellie''s current psychologist. With something this significant happening, they needed to consult him as soon as possible.


    Meanwhile, Anneliese had promised Ellie she would personally bake cookies for her.


    There weren''t any baking ingredients


    at The Banyans, so after leaving the hospital Anneliese stopped by a supermarket to buy the ingredients. and some small molds before hurrying back.


    She hadn''t expected that as she drove into the courtyard, Jonathan''s car would pull


    in right behind hers.


    She got out of the car and opened


    the trunk, but before she could reach


    for the bags, a familiar slender


    elegant


    hand appeared from the


    side and carried them away for her.


    A cool, refreshing scent brushed past her nose. Anneliese turned her head toward


    the man.


    "You''re home, Mr. Fullbuster."


    "Indeed I am, Mrs. Fullbuster. Hope you had a great day."


    Jonathan grinned as he leaned down and ced a gentle kiss between her brows.


    The sky was clear, the warmth of spring had returned, and even the evening breeze was gentle.


    The feeling ofing home from work and seeing his wife waiting for him was indescribably wonderful.


    To him, no scenery in the world couldpare with the sight of her stepping out of the car beneath the zing afterglow of the sunset, wind teasing through her hair.


    Only when his wife was around did this ce truly feel like home.