waking

Chapter 147

Naomi’s eyes were glued to the big screen, her heart racing. She squeezed Coco’s hand like it was a lifeline. She’d wanted to bond with Coco, but she never planned on putting her own scar on display.

Nicolas could rot, but Coco and Bridget? They weren’t villains. They had zero beef with her, then or now.

In fact, Bridget had been all sunshine and rainbows from the get–go.

Coco was supposed to be a hothead, but she’d never treated Naomi like how she treated her old tutors.

Just then, Naomi’s eyes got all misty. She clutched Coco’s hand, her voice cracking. “Coco, you don’t have to do this.”

“I know, Naomi,” Coco said, her eyes watery but her smile shining bright. “I know you’ve been burning the midnight oil for me, catching z’s in the car on the way to school. You tested the stuff on your own face before putting it on mine.”

“Actually, I’ve been spying on you downstairs,” Coco admitted, her eyes pooling with tears. “You’ve been working hard for me, but you never brag about it. I get it, and so does my mom. I wanted to do something for you, too.”

“You made me take pics to pump me up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. You gave me the courage to step out of my room and face the world looking sharp. You emboldened me to tell my mom John was a scammer trying to trick her out of her cash,” Coco said, her voice strong. “Naomi, you’ve done so much for me. If I can’t deal with my own past, then all your hard work goes down the drain,” Coco added.

Naomi’s eyes teared up even more.

Up on stage, B

voice rang

Speechless, she just held onto Coco’s hand tighter.

1. t. “Hi, folks, I’m Bridget, and that’s my girl in the picture.”

Bridget took a deep breath, her eyes glistening. “You might not have met my daughter, but you’ve heard I’ve been on the hunt for a cure for her

scar.”

“This scar’s been there since day one. I’ve hit up every doc and hospital, but they all said it’s a no–go, too risky to operate,” Bridget said, her voice shaky.

“I wasn’t about to risk losing my girl, so I never went under the knife. Then Dr. Eaton came along, promising a surgery, but he didn’t sugarcoat the risks.” Bridget glanced at John, and sure enough, his face was a picture of misery.

Bridget smiled gently without a hint of aggression, but a softness that had a steel core.

She was a mom, ready to go the distance for her kid. The one thing she wouldn’t bet on was her child’s life.

“I said no to Dr. Eaton. I figured my girl was stuck with this scar, destined for a Naomi. “Ms. Edwards, join me up here.”

a lonely

life. But then Ms. Edwards came along.” Bridget waved at

Naomi didn’t budge. This was her chance to shine, but she wasn’t about to ride on Coco’s

pain.

Coco took the lead, pulling her up on stage.

“Naomi, why are you such a softie!” Coco’s laughter rang out, clear as a bell. “Check it finally out and about, looking flawless.”

out,

folks,

the

ver–mysterious lady of the Hopper family is

“My face, it’s all thanks to Naomi, Coco said happily, beaming, her face a picture of pure joy. “Not just my face, but my heart, too.” “Naomi’s given me a total makeover. I’m not scared of my face anymore and not afraid to look at my old self. I’ve lived with this mug for eighteen years, and now I should embrace it.”

“But hey, I’m a girl, and I dig being pretty. Wanting to look my best isn’t a crime,” Coco said, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Naomi. “The pain that has dogged me and Mom for eighteen years, Naomi cleared it up in a month. I’m super grateful.”

“Naomi, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Coco bowed deeply and then looked up. “Folks, a month back, Dr. Eaton and Naomi made a bet. If Naomi fixed my face, John owes her a public apology.”

“And if my face wasn’t fixed, Naomi would say sorry to John. Check the dates on the pics,” Coco’s tears fell freely. “Dr. Eaton, it’s time to apologize to

Naomi.”

John was clenching his jaw so tightly that it could crack. If it had just been Naomi, he could’ve played it off, but Bridget and Coco were on stage, and they weren’t people to mess with. Bridget had the cash and the clout.

The crowd was as quiet as a mouse, their eyes locked on the before–and–after pics on the screen. The shock was off the charts.

No doc dared to perform surgery for her for eighteen years, but Naomi fixed it without even cutting in a month?! Folks were questioning it, but the proof was right there.

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Chapter 147

Naomi’s eyes were burning. She’d gotten close to Bridget and Coco for her own reasons, but they treated her so well. It made her feel pretty

scummy.

“Naomi, sweetie, no need for guilt. Coco was all for it,” Bridget said, giving her hand a squeeze. “You’re just too kind. You gave Coco a fresh start, and Coco’s giving you the respect you deserve. Isn’t that how it should be?”

Naomi’s head drooped, her tears finally spilling. She’d been low. Well, she wasn’t going to pull Bridget and Coco into her fight with Nicolas.

“Naomi, chin up,” Bridget’s soft voice whispered. Naomi lifted her head slowly, wiped her tears, and put on a smile for the crowd.

Then, in a strong voice, she said, “Dr. Eaton, I think it’s time for you to say sorry.”

John looked like he ate something sour, his hand white–knuckling his wineglass. He dropped it and stormed toward the stage.

Naomi didn’t flinch, and Bridget gave her hand a pat, saying, “Don’t fret. I’ve got security guards.”

If John tried to start something, Bridget wasn’t one to back down.

Coco’s face was like ice, her voice cutting through the silence. “Are you getting mad ‘cause you’re embarrassed, Dr. Eaton? Or are you just a sore loser?”

Naomi just smiled, “Coco, don’t. Dr. Eaton’s a man of his word. He’ll honor his promise.” It meant if he didn’t apologize or tried to dodge it, he was

no man at all.

Coco beamed at the crowd, her back straight and her head held high. It was a total 180 from how she used to hunch over. She wasn’t just confident now. She had completely turned her life around. She’d come to terms with who she was and made her peace with her past.

It turned out that giving to others was super rewarding.

Wither]

‘s saying sorry to me, or I’m saying sorry t

to

Naomi took a deep breath and looked out at sea of faces. “Dr. Eaton set up this shindig.

Coco and Naomi exchanged a smile. Once Coco’s scar cleared up, her beauty was a knockout.

At eighteen, she had a face as soft

as

a

baby’s, her hair flowing down her back. Every giggle and pout made her earrings dance, showing off her

The black and white dress she wore hinted at her long, perfect legs, and her skin was so bright

it

could light up a room, making everyone green

youthful charm.

with envy. And it was all thanks to Naomi.

him.”

With a light laugh, she smiled softly, her eyes as warm as a spring day. “Dr. Eaton, I’ll gladly take your apology.

“Bitch, get down here!” John shouted, furious. An apology wasn’t on his list.

Naomi quirked an eyebrow. “Oh, you started swearing?”

John blurted out, “So what?”

Naomi chuckled again. “Dr. Eaton really can’t stand to lose, can he?”

Naomi added, “But at least Dr. Eaton knows he’s a sore loser. That’s good though.”

The crowd murmured, and a few low laughs spread.

Alfred, watching from the wings, had a look of pure admiration. “Naomi’s incredible.”

Jessie stood next to him. “Mr. Edwards, should I step in?”

“Nah, he won’t mess with Naomi,” Alfred said.

“When will Naomi finally accept me, Jessie?” Alfred was a mix of eagerness and sadness. “I want to tell my parents, but I’m scared they’ll flip out.” “Mr. Edwards, patience is key.” Jessie rubbed her forehead. “The servant I arranged for to work at the Hopper residence overheard Naomi and Coco’s private chat. Naomi said she hates her family. She thinks they ditched her.”

“Why don’t we just lay it all out there?” Alfred asked, his face etched with worry.

Jessie gave him a “you’re–not–thinking–this–through” look. “Mr. Edwards, do you think Ms. Edwards will buy it?”

“From what the knows, you’d rather adopt a girl has kep loking for her. Mr. Edwards, her being left a an orphanage is probably not as straightforward as it seems. And are you ready to tell Ms. Gibson she’s an orphan?”

Alfred’s face fell. “So, what’s the plan?”

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“Take it slow. Show Ms. Edwards your kindness in every little thing, Jessie advised. “Give her what she needs. A DNA test might show the truth, but changing how someone thinks isn’t something that happens in a snap.”

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