Chapter 2

Victoria stood in the grand foyer of her mansion, the letter held tightly in her hand. She unfolded it with a deliberate motion, her eyes scanning the neatly written words. There was no name, just a chilling message:

"I am leaving my child in front of your door. I cannot take care of her any longer due to my poverty. She has been a burden to me. I wanted to abort her, but the doctors refused. I had no choice but to deliver her. I am leaving her with you because I believe some rich people will adopt her, and she will have a great future. The baby is a girl."

Victoria's grip on the letter tightened, her knuckles turning white. Fury boiled inside her, and she cursed the mother under her breath. "How dare she..." she muttered, her voice low and venomous.

She turned sharply on her heel and strode into the living room. There, on the plush leather sofa, lay a tiny baby girl, swaddled in a thin blanket. The child was quiet, her wide eyes staring up at the grand ceiling, unaware of the chaos surrounding her arrival.

Victoria stood over the baby, her anger momentarily faltering as she looked at the innocent face. She felt a mixture of rage and reluctant responsibility. "What am I supposed to do with you?" she whispered, her voice colder than the night air outside.

The baby blinked up at her, unfazed by Victoria's icy demeanor. Victoria sighed deeply, her mind already racing through the possible solutions. She couldn't simply leave the child unattended, but the idea of caring for someone else's unwanted burden filled her with disdain.

With a final, exasperated glance at the letter, she made a decision. "I'll find someone to take care of you," she said, more to herself than to the baby. "But first, I'll make sure you're safe." She picked up the child carefully, her movements precise and controlled, and carried her deeper into the house.

____________________________________________

Victoria carried the 7-month-old baby girl to a spare room, gently placing her on the bed. She arranged pillows around the baby, ensuring she wouldn't roll off. Just as she turned to leave, the baby began to cry, her wails piercing the quiet night.

Victoria’s icy demeanor cracked slightly as she walked back to the baby's side. "What is it now?" she muttered, her voice laced with irritation. She leaned down, her face close to the baby’s. "Sleep," she commanded, her tone a mixture of frustration and firmness.

The baby continued to cry, her tiny fists waving in the air. Victoria sighed, her patience wearing thin. "Don’t you know how to sleep on your own?" she asked, though she knew the baby couldn't understand. "You're making this harder than it needs to be."

She pulled out her phone and quickly searched for how to put a baby to sleep. The results advised picking up and cradling the child. Reluctantly, Victoria scooped the baby into her arms, her movements stiff and unsure. She swayed gently, rocking the baby until the cries softened and finally ceased. Carefully, she placed the baby back on the bed.

A sudden thought struck her, and she quickly searched whether it was safe for a baby to sleep alone in a room. The answer was a resounding no—it was risky. Victoria paused, considering her options. Her usual decisiveness faltered as she looked at the tiny, helpless figure on the bed.

"Of course, it’s risky," she muttered, frustration edging her voice. "Nothing about this situation is convenient." She looked down at the baby, who was now staring up at her with wide, curious eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that? I didn’t ask for this either."

With a resigned sigh, she picked up the baby again and headed to her own room. She placed the baby on her bed, surrounding her with pillows for safety. Victoria changed out of her formal clothes and into a night suit, her movements mechanical and efficient. She then slipped into bed beside the baby, her body stiff with unfamiliarity.

"Listen," she said, looking at the baby, who seemed to be on the verge of tears again. "You need to sleep, alright? I have a lot of work to do tomorrow." The baby gurgled, her tiny hand reaching out towards Victoria’s face.

Victoria’s cold exterior softened, just a fraction, as she watched the baby. "You really have no idea what’s going on, do you?" she whispered. "You didn’t ask for this either." She sighed deeply, feeling an unaccustomed pang of empathy. "I guess we’re stuck with each other for now."

As she lay there, the baby nestled close, Victoria stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. She had never imagined herself in such a situation, yet here she was, sharing her bed with a child she had no intention of caring for. The baby's soft, steady breathing eventually lulled her into a restless sleep, her thoughts a tumultuous storm of confusion and reluctant acceptance.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***