Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 370

Emilia turned and saw Paisley—her biological mother.

She froze, unsure what to do.

The last time she’d gone to visit Paisley at the hotel, her mother had told her not to come back.

After all these years, Emilia still hadn’t figured out how to be around her. They might be mother and daughter by blood, but there was just too much history between them.

After a moment’s hesitation, Emilia finally spoke. “Mom.”

Paisley glanced at her, nodded, and walked in, carrying a fruit basket. She set it down on the nightstand.

“I came to see Bella,” she said.

Emilia nodded, pulled over a chair for her, and then glanced at Bella, weighing her words.

But before Emilia could say anything, Bella piped up in her sweet, clear voice, “Grandma!”

She was grinning, looking every bit the picture-perfect child—bright-eyed and adorable.

Paisley’s lips curled into a smile. “Good girl,” she said gently.

She chatted with Bella for a while, and Emilia felt oddly detached, as if she were watching someone else’s life unfold. She never would’ve imagined Paisley would come to visit Bella on her own. After all, ever since what happened back then, they’d barely spoken...

Bella giggled, happily chattering away with Paisley.

When the conversation wound down, Paisley caught Emilia’s eye, giving her a subtle look.

Emilia understood. She told Bella to play quietly for a bit, then followed Paisley out onto the small balcony. From here, they could still see Bella, but it gave them a little privacy.

“The adoption paperwork should go through soon,” Paisley said.

Emilia nodded, her heart thudding faster than she liked.

Paisley hesitated, then finally broke the silence. “A few days ago, I went to see... him.”

Emilia’s brow furrowed; she knew exactly who Paisley meant—Absolon Foster. The last time she’d seen him was the day they took him to prison, all those years ago.

“You know what’s best for you.” Paisley’s voice was gentle but final. “I just wanted to tell you. I should be heading back.”

Emilia nodded again.

She walked Paisley to the door, then hurried back to fetch some cash from her purse and her jewelry, pressing them into Paisley’s hand.

Paisley looked down at the offering, then back at Emilia.

Emilia kept her head lowered, silent.

At last, Paisley accepted the money and jewelry without a word, then turned and left.

Emilia watched her mother’s retreating figure.

This was how it had always been between them. Over the years, their relationship had settled into this distant, transactional routine. Besides the occasional cash or jewelry, Emilia had also given her a debit card—she’d add money to it now and then.

Truth was, aside from the bitter fight when Absolon Foster was sent to prison, most of the time, things between Emilia and Paisley had been quiet—almost indifferent.