Chapter 384:
“You’ll need a card or a passcode to use it,” Melany explained kindly. “Are you trying to get upstairs?”
Perla turned with a slightly awkward smile, a trace of embarrassment in her eyes. “Yes, it’s my daughter’s birthday today. I’m just here to drop off her cake.”
Melany swiped her card to unlock the elevator and held the door open. “In that case, I’ll ride up with you. I’m heading to the restaurant anyway.”
Perla gave a soft word of thanks and stepped inside, carefully holding the cake box. Melany’s gaze lingered on the bunny-shaped decoration. “Did you make it yourself?”
“Yes,” Perla replied with a gentle nod. “Homemade is always healthier than anything from the store.”
Melany let out a quiet sigh, curiosity tugging at her. “Why didn’t you come to celebrate with your daughter?”
Perla spoke softly. “She forgot to tell me where the party was. I only learned the location from… from her grandfather. She’s here with her classmates. She’s about your age, still in high school.”
Her gaze shifted to Melany’s attire, and realization dawned. “Your uniform… it’s the same as my child’s. You must both attend Brightwood High.”
Melany froze at Perla’s words, disbelief flickering in her eyes at the unexpected coincidence. When the elevator doors parted, she stepped into the lobby alongside Perla, her gaze instantly falling on the cluster of familiar classmates gathered nearby. At the center of the group, Zaylee stood beaming, her laughter carrying across the room. The birthday crown perched on Zaylee’s head gleamed under the lights, making her stand out even more among the crowd.
Melany stopped in her tracks, surprise flickering across her face.
“Zaylee!” Perla called out with a warm smile, waving as she carefully made her way over, carrying the cake.
Next to Zaylee’s sparkling outfit and glittering accessories, Perla’s clothes looked modest and worn, faint patches showing on the fabric.
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“Who’s that?” someone whispered under their breath.
“Zaylee, is that your mom?” another asked in disbelief.
“No way. Isn’t Zaylee from a wealthy military family? Why would her mother show up dressed like that?”
The hushed whispers spread quickly, and Zaylee’s face flushed hot with shame. Her eyes fell on the bunny cake she had eaten every birthday for over a decade, and for a brief moment, nausea rolled through her. Still, she forced a bright smile and reached for the cake.
“She’s just a servant from my house. My mom’s busy with work today and couldn’t come.” Zaylee accepted the cake from Perla, her gaze hardening as she caught the confusion in her mother’s eyes. Forcing a polite smile, she said coldly, “If there’s nothing else, you should leave now.”
Melany stood frozen, stunned by the coldness in Zaylee’s tone, unable to fathom how someone could treat their own mother that way.
Her chest tightened as she watched Perla give a small nod, choosing silent retreat over humiliating her daughter further. Unable to stay quiet, she burst out, her voice ringing across the lobby. “She’s clearly your mother! She made you a cake with so much love, and this is how you treat her?” Her eyes locked on Zaylee, hurt and anger mingling in her tone as she accused, “How can you do this to her?”
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