The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1534

Emily pulled out a piece of candy and glanced at it. Lychee. Her favorite. Something fluttered in her chest and she lowered her voice. “Thank you.”

“Go on inside.” Kenneth started to reach for her face, hesitated, and let his hand fall. He didn’t want to cross a line or make her uncomfortable.

Emily nodded, quietly following Charlotte into the building.

Kenneth watched her walk away, her figure slowly fading from view. A complicated smile played at the corners of his lips.

“Kenneth, what’s going on with you?” Knox asked, clearly puzzled by the look on his face.

“It’s nothing,” Kenneth replied, his eyes never leaving Emily. His voice came out rough, almost like it hurt to say the words. “I’m just realizing I used to be a real jerk.” It hurt, getting a taste of what unreturned love felt like.

Knox didn’t say anything. He couldn’t really argue with the truth.

Inside the hall, Patricia had already woken up. Matthew and Lavinia had hurried back, so everyone was gathered at home. The conversation flowed easily and the mood was warm enough.

“Charlotte and Anthony are back,” the housekeeper announced.

Everyone turned at once to the doorway. Norma, especially, watched with keen interest.

Anthony came in with his arm wrapped around Charlotte, who looked stunning. As they entered, Charlotte took her hands from her pockets and folded them neatly at her sides. She stood tall and calm, with a quiet confidence that really stood out. She and Anthony looked perfect together.

“Grandma, Mom, Dad, Norma, Dorothy,” Anthony greeted, guiding Charlotte beside him.

Mom?

Norma stared at her, taken aback by Emily’s gentle, distant tone. Years ago, the two of them had fought so angrily about Emily joining the entertainment industry that they hadn’t really spoken calmly since then.

“Emily was drugged during the kidnapping, and she’s missing part of her memory,” Anthony explained as he helped Charlotte sit and offered her a cushion. “They’re working on an antidote, so she should be back to normal soon.”

Partial memory loss?

Norma stepped in to help Emily sit, watching her closely.

Had she forgotten about Kenneth? If she had… maybe that was for the best.