His Contractual Mistress

"Hilda was afraid that love would destroy her. She thinks that marriage needs no love and be emotionally invested in each other because it will make someone go crazy... Like her older siblings." Sol went on. 

Hailee pressed her eyelids to push back the tears that threatened to escape her eyes. 

How sad is that? She thought with a heavy heart. 

A marriage without love and deep feelings for each other can compare to a lonely journey to an isolated road. 

She had just realized this.... Even if she and Bryan treat each other well. Still, it will be different because her love for him is not the same as she felt for Vincent. 

She was happy when she was with Bryan in the past. She has no doubts about Bryan because it is just one call away, and he would show up not long. Bryan is always there for her… 

However, it never flutters her heart like how it beats when she is with Vincent. 

Now, she cannot imagine that she is almost married to Bryan. Sometimes, she wanted to thank Liam and Eva for being the thorns in her life. 

Because of them, fate brought her toward Vincent. 

Sol noticed the emotion exhibited on Hailee's face. Somewhat, the girl lost in her world, but her eyes remained to stare in one direction, which showed the love she felt toward the man that until now was in a bit of trouble about the dessert he should pick out for his wife. 

After a moment of silence, Hailee was pulled back to her senses when Sol spoke up again.

"I could see how much you love my nephew. It makes me happy every time I think about it. Vincent deserves to find happiness. I may be timid about caring for other people. But I always prayed for Heaven to send, even if it's not a perfect woman as long as she would love Vincent with all of her heart. Also, I prayed God protects this woman destined for him, and the day comes, and their path would meet. And I am glad that my prayers have not only been answered, but heaven sent an angel." 

Hailee was moved by what the older lady had said. Her right palm was still inside Sol's hands. She placed her other palm on top of the older lady's hand, then rubbed it.

They say it is more powerful if others will pray for you. Now she completely understood why her late grandma was constantly reminding her to pray for others. 

Sol squeezes Hailee's hand and says, "Jessa told me you own the store that lends us these exquisite pieces of jewelry. Thank you. I feel beautiful once in a while." 

Hailee was stunned to hear this, and it was as if his heart was being squeezed with grief. 

"Aunt Sol, even if you would not wear any jewelry, you are already beautiful." Hailee doesn't want this older lady to think low of herself. She understands it has been a long time that she imprisons herself in her own world, which is why she lacks confidence. 

"Thank you, Hailee. You are a sweet child, and no wonder you were able to melt Hilda's heart." 

Hailee was delighted Sol thought that. She looked at the older lady with so much warmth in her eyes. 

"After the party, I will immediately send back these pieces. They were too expensive, and I'm afraid I might have lost them." 

"Don't worry, Aunt Sol." Hailee smiled. "You need not send them back. I am giving them to you as a gift." 

Sol was stunned. Even her nurse was also surprised when Hailee announced that. 

"I... I don't think I deserve them…." Sol was hesitant to accept such a luxurious gift. Her family can afford expensive things, but she isn't used to living like that, as she still prefers simple things. And so now, she feels like she cannot accept such things. 

But Hailee was determined to persuade the older lady. "Aunt, you deserve more than this…." 

And that is love and warmth from people around here... It was what Hailee wanted to convey to the older lady. 

"Madam Sol, the young madam is right. These pieces of jewelry are given to you out of young madam's love." Judy, the private nurse, chimed in. 

Since Judy heard about the real identity of her young master's girlfriend, she's been reading all the news about Hailee Davies. She even started following her on Instagram, and she found out how nice a person she was. 

In all the articles she read and videos she watched, everyone always praised her, and when she met her in person, she proved how down-to-earth a person Hailee Davies is despite her status. 

Hailee Davies is very unique from many people Judy knew in high society who love to show off, even those who could not afford to live a luxurious life. Still, they were boasting everywhere and acted superior to others. 

Sol glanced at her private nurse, then returned her gaze to Hailee. The girl is smiling warmly at her. And in her eyes, Hailee, who arrived in their family, was like an angel. 

The tears that she is holding have been freed. Sol reached for her eyes and wiped her tears, and Hailee handed her a facial napkin. 

"Thank you... Now you made me remember when I was younger. When our parents are not home, I will bring Hilda to our mom's wardrobe, and then we will try on all of her jewelry. During those times, I would dream that one day, I would buy my own jewelry. After I graduate from college and start working and earning, I will buy only beautiful things. However..." 

Sol stops when distant painful memories flash in her mind that cause her to choke and sobs. Judy was a little in panic, but Sol shook her head, then smiled at Hailee as she went on. 

"But I fell in love at such a young age, and the marriage is a mess. I forgot to take care of myself and reach for my dreams. I'm glad that Hilda is thinking more maturely than me. Hilda never forgets to buy me beautiful things to cheer up in the passing years despite what happens to me. But your gift is very special among everything else. Don't tell her I said that." 

Hailee giggled and nodded. "I'm happy to hear that, Aunt Sol. And don't worry. It's our secret." She said, then winked at the nurse, who smiled delightedly while listening to their talk. 

Judy was touched by this interaction with her madam and Hailee Davies. For a long time that she was working at the Lopez first family; this is one of the rarest times that her madam didn't restrain but opened up herself and had a warm talk with someone. 

Hailee Davies is truly an amazing person. Her madam is not a fan of gadgets. She didn't learn to use social media sites or love to browse her phone, so she had no idea how famous the person she was conversing with. 

Judy was even impressed by Hailee, and she witnessed how this princess cared less that she was a famous person in the entire world. 

Meanwhile, Tyler often glanced at his mother, even when he was busy talking to his cousins and their business partners. Then, he noticed his mother wiping her eyes. 

Tyler looked for an opportunity to excuse himself and walked toward his mother. He is already worried that her emotion got triggered at the party, the reason his eyes don't leave his mother's table. He wonders what they're talking about, and his mom is shedding tears. 

In the past, he often found his mom breaking down in the corner of her bedroom. Since then, he is always worried about his mother, abandoning his chances to become the President of Lopez Corporation in the main headquarters as the first grandson of the third generation. 

"Ma?" 

Sol lifted her gaze and looked at her son, who was approaching their table. She smiled and proudly narrated the gift she received. 

"Tyler, look! Hailee gave them to me." 

Tyler was stunned for a moment. But then he sighed with relief after figuring out what was happening. Looking at the jewelry that Hailee's staff sent over for his mother to wear to this party, he didn't expect that Hailee would generously give them instead. 

And to see the big smile on his mom's lips, he could not hide the emotion he only showed around his mother. He pursed his lips and smiled. 

"They look even more beautiful as you're wearing them, Ma." His compliments brought glimmers into his mother's eyes. 

"Tyler, do you think Hailee would like the flowers I grow in the garden? Would she accept them if we brought some of them to her?" 

Tyler was amused to see his mother behaving like this and all of this because of Vincent's wife. His mother has never been as lively as this, but only toward her immediate family, which she felt secure with. 

He looked at Hailee and smiled with gratefulness at her for having the patient speak with his mother. He is confident that Hailee heard his mother whispering about how she could return her gratitude. 

After becoming the director of Lopez Steel Corporation, he used his influence to search for what is best to do if a family member has a case like his mother. He learned that maybe gardening could help improve her emotions. 

Since then, instead of purchasing designer clothes and bags and shoes for his mother, he bought all kinds of rare flowers and plants in the world. He also learned how to grow and take care of them to teach their local gardeners how to raise those rare plants. Right now, his mother's garden is hectares wide, and it earns a great result. His mother's emotions are a lot stable now. 

"Ma, I think Hailee would love your phalaenopsis orchids," Tyler suggested. 

Both Sol and Hailee's eyes gleam. 

Hailee uttered, "My late grandma has all the kinds of orchids in her greenhouse, and they were still growing well at grandpa Allen's Villa." 

Upon hearing this, Sol was delighted. She was about to say something but realized that Hailee was having a sensitive pregnancy. She would love to invite Hailee to see her garden, but Vincent wanted to limit their trips in her condition. 

Hailee noticed the sadness in Sol's eyes. She thought of the reason the older lady was sad. And so she tried to console her. 

"Aunt Sol, after I give birth. I will visit the South Island to see you and all your plants." 

"With the babies?" She got excited thinking of Hailee and Vincent's triplets. 

"Yes, Aunt Sol. Province has the freshest air. The babies surely would love it there." 

Sol nodded and pursed her lips into a smile. She looked at her son, and Tyler gave his mother a knowing smile, like saying, 'Ma, you are great!'