Was she really that easygoing in their eyes?


    Would she call someone "Mom" just because they handed her a piece of candy? Although, it''s not like Cloudia ever tried to charm her with sweets.


    Ever since she arrived in Portis City, Urs seemed to have a knack for stirring up trouble, as if she had a new trick up her sleeve every day.


    Even during those two months in the hospital, Cloudia would pop in every now and then, staying just long enough to say hello before she left, like a flickering candle in the wind.


    Cloudia''s version of motherhood was a far cry from Lottie Lugar''s, and because of that, Ste never took Cloudia seriously. She didn''t acknowledge her then, and she sure wouldn''t now.


    Ste cuddled closer to Lottie. "I would never."


    This brought a relief to Lottie as she hugged Ste tighter.


    "That''s good," she said, her voice dripping with yful pride.


    If Ste had started calling anyone else "Mom", Lottie would have been beside herself. After all that the Larkin family put her through, she would have been relentless in her pursuit of justice.


    Ste wrapped her arms around Lottie. "Mom, I missed you so much."


    "If you missed me, why didn''t youe back sooner, you little rascal."


    The mention ofing back struck a somber chord in Lottie''s voice. Not just Ste, even she, with her years of wisdom, had never faced such upheaval.


    The chaos from three years ago still lingered, a wound that had yet to heal. Her husband was gone, the Quinn Group was in turmoil, and both Yvonne and Ste had been kidnapped, with Ste''s whereabouts unknown.


    "I''m just d you''re back. That''s all that matters."


    Words of reproach melted away, reced by the relief of having her family together again after all they''d endured.


    After they held each other close for ten minutes, Ronald finally intervened, unable


    to watch any longer. "Alright, enough with the hugging."


    "You little devil," Lottie jokingly scolded, giving Ronald a look. What did he mean, enough hugging? She could hug Ste forever.


    Ronald gently pulled Ste away from her arms. "Star is hungry."


    Ste''s eyes widened in surprise.


    Lottie perked up at this. "Oh, you''re hungry, are you? I heard you haven''t been eating welltely."


    Her eyes drifted downwards to Ste''s still t stomach, at the moment, her expression softening with a tender smile. "It''s good to feel hungen If you didn''t, that wouldn''t be a good sign. Not only would it be hard on you, but also on the little one inside."


    Ste felt a pang at the mention of "the little one inside," her heart stirring with emotion.


    As Ronald pulled her away, she quickly returned to Lottie''s embrace. "Mom."


    Her voice caught in her throat, thick with emotion.


    Lottie wasn''t upset with her. All Ste''s worries from Portis City began to melt away.


    "Why are you crying? No need to cry now, you''re not a kid anymore."


    Crying was for children.


    Ste sniffled, "I thought you''dsh out on me."


    After all, she and Ronald had been together, and she was genuinely worried


    about facing Lottie''s reaction.


    Over the years, Lottie had always


    treated her with such kindness and love, which made Ste cautious about revealing her feelings for Ronald.


    Especially after her time in Portis City, where she saw the way Cloudia doted on Urs. Yet, she never


    imagined Cloudia would want anything between Urs and Jaxon.


    So, Ste assumed a rtionship like theirs would never be epted.


    "Why would I do that? This is wonderful! I was always worried about you."