Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite)

Teresa gazed longingly at the photo of Daddy Maurice, with a look of utter confusion painting her cherubic face a rosy red.

After all, she was undoubtedly Hayes' Daddy's daughter through and through. And her twin brother, who shared her birthday suit down to the freckle, must be Hayes' Daddy's kiddo too! Staring at the photo of Mom and Maurice, she knew she couldn't draw a thing.

Her eyes flickered with indecision as she stammered, "Mom, you're really putting me in a tight spot here..."

"In a tight spot? I've heard tall tales about your skills, Terry. They say you can draw anything! And now, when your dear mom needs your help, you're suddenly in a bind?"

Teresa, timid as a mouse, couldn't bring herself to meet Marguerite's gaze.

She was given the wrong photo-how could she not be flustered? She frowned and nodded, "I can draw, sure, but it's gonna take a while! Mom, why don't you leave the photo here and go chill for a bit? I'll call you when it's done, okay?"

She had to shoo Mom out, then sneakily swap in Hayes' Daddy's picture to get the job done right!

But Marguerite wasn't born yesterday. She could see Teresa pushing her out with all her might.

Still, she chalked it up to the whims of a playful child avoiding work, not the desperate antics of Teresa in a bind.

After all, this was about her son, a matter of the utmost importance to her.

Three long years with no leads, and now Teresa could help her find him. Marguerite couldn't afford to take this lightly.

So, she grabbed a bottle of soda from the fridge, helped herself to some cookies, and plopped back on the couch, legs crossed, with determination on her face.

"You do your thing, I won't bug you. But I've gotta see you at work with my own eyes."

Teresa was speechless, on the verge of throwing a full-blown tantrum at Marguerite.

But with Mom's determined stance, there was no way she was leaving the room!

With no choice left, Teresa set up her easel with a resigned air, plastered the photo of Mom and Maurice in the top right corner, but her hand holding the pencil quivered non-stop. Gosh! Faced with Maurice's picture, she couldn't start!

Feeling like she had a cactus under her dress, she finally caved to Marguerite's relentless gaze, turned around with a crestfallen look, and pleaded, "Mom, do you really have to watch me draw? You're cramping my style here!"

Marguerite popped a cookie into her mouth with content, "Are you so eager to get rid of me because you're up to no good? You're not planning on slacking off, are you?"

Teresa hastily raised three fingers in a scout's honor gesture, "I swear, Mom, I won't slack off! Don't think drawing's a piece of cake-it takes real brainpower! It's not just drawing; I have to consult resources, consider genetic factors! It's a lot of brain work, so I need absolute silence, okay?"

Marguerite didn't realize how complicated drawing can be. But just because of that, she was worried that Teresa would try and trick her.

Marguerite wavered between trust and skepticism when her phone rang. It was Miley.

She hustled to the balcony to pick up, only to spot Miley's signature white BMW parked right outside the Winston Mansion.

Confused, she answered, "Your car's at the drive way. Why not come up? Why the call?"

The car window rolled down leisurely, and Miley waved frantically at Marguerite on the balcony.

"I'm not coming up. Come down! Something happened. I'll fill you in on the way. Let's go!"