The Boss’s Secret

Blossoms of Hope

Monica lay on the bed, staring vacantly at the ceiling. Since returning to the family estate from the hospital, she had remained in this state, curled up all day. Her life had become mechanical and devoid of meaning.

Her bedroom was on the top floor of the main building, a spacious, bright, and luxuriously decorated suite. The windows on all four sides offered a panoramic view of the estate, with beautiful gardens below. However, since that night on the cruise ship, Monica had never drawn the curtains.

Every morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, but since giving birth, Monica had never opened them again. The heavy velvet drapes blocked out all light, filling the room with a stifling gloom. The air was a blend of floral scents and mustiness as if even the air carried the weight of her pain.

Each morning, Monica awoke with a profound sense of exhaustion, despite barely sleeping at all. Her bed was a disheveled mess, the sheets twisted and the pillow stained with countless tears. Several bottles of antidepressants sat on her bedside table, but she could never muster the energy to take them.

Postpartum depression hung over her like a dark cloud.

Monica completely isolated herself in her room, allowing no one near. The servants tried to enter to tidy up and bring meals, but Monica always rebuffed them with silence and indifference. She locked the door, rejecting all contact with the outside world, even turning away the concern and visits of her mother, Lady Victoria.

The nights were the hardest. The room’s silence was only broken by the ticking of the clock. She often woke in the dead of night, haunted by memories of the cruise ship, unable to forget the faceless man from that night. Her cousin’s betrayal and Tom’s scheme replayed in her mind like a nightmare, shattering her heart into countless pieces, each memory like salt on an open wound.

Since childhood, Monica had dreamed of becoming a singer, but she set aside her dream when she fell in love with Tom. She believed that becoming Tom’s wife would complete her life. Despite Tom’s family being an old but declining aristocracy, with its many rules and financial difficulties, Monica’s love for Tom made her willing to sacrifice everything to support his future.

After learning the truth, Monica’s world collapsed. She felt not only lost in love but also ashamed for tarnishing her family’s honor. Negative emotions flooded her mind, with beautiful memories of the past painfully intertwining with her current reality, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Monica covered her face, her body trembling like a leaf, overwhelmed by despair.

Her appetite had vanished, and each meal felt like a chore. She was gradually wasting away, her face pale, her eyes dull. Although her family was worried, Monica always locked herself in her room, unwilling to communicate with anyone. Their concern and care felt like a burden; she feared they would see her current state, her vulnerability, and her brokenness. She dreaded their gazes, feared facing reality, and was terrified of the deep sense of shame.

It was as if an invisible force had frozen Monica’s life.

Occasionally, she would stand before the mirror, staring at her reflection. She could hardly recognize the haggard woman with lifeless eyes staring back at her. Once full of vitality and dreams, she now seemed like a stranger. A thought often flickered through her mind: if she disappeared, would the world be a better place?

This idea frightened her, yet it also felt like a release. Countless times, she stood by the window in the dead of night, gazing at the view outside, teetering on the edge between life and death. In these moments, her pain and despair seemed to peak, nearly consuming her entirely.

Someone knocked softly on the door and then left. The baby’s innocent cries echoed through the hallway, breaking the estate’s silence.

At first, Monica ignored the crying. She curled up in bed, covering her ears with a pillow to block out the piercing sound. But the baby’s cries grew louder, seemingly trying to pierce through her heart. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. Angrily, she got up and yanked open the door.

A small basket lay on the floor outside, with Jason inside, his face red from crying. Monica felt a sharp pain in her heart, yet she still tried to ignore the call of her maternal instincts.

“Why did they leave him here?” Monica shouted in anger, but no response came. It was as if everyone in the estate had vanished. She looked at the tiny life before her, filled with inner conflict and struggle. She resented this child because his father was unknown, symbolizing her humiliation and pain. Yet, at the same time, a deep maternal instinct within her urged her to care for this helpless infant.

Jason’s crying was driving Monica to the brink of collapse; she couldn’t bear the constant noise. She crouched down, her hands trembling as she picked him up, trying to soothe him. But no matter how she tried, Jason continued to cry incessantly. A wave of helplessness and despair washed over Monica, and tears began to stream down her face.

In her desperation, Monica suddenly recalled her childhood. She remembered how her family would softly sing to her when she was upset, lulling her to sleep with familiar melodies and warm voices that always made her feel safe and calm. She decided to give it a try, even though she hadn’t sung in a long time.

Taking a deep breath, Monica began to hum a lullaby she loved as a child. The gentle melody filled the air, carrying a hint of warmth and solace. Miraculously, Jason’s crying gradually subsided. He looked up at Monica with wide eyes, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Monica felt a surge of emotion and continued to sing. Jason’s tiny hand lightly grasped her finger, his face showing a look of contentment.

From that day on, Monica discovered that whenever Jason cried, singing to him would calm him down and bring a happy smile to his face. She started singing to Jason every day, the lullabies from her childhood expressing the deep emotions within her. Jason’s laughter and satisfied expressions brought Monica a long-lost sense of fulfillment and joy.

With Jason’s healing presence, Monica’s mood gradually began to lighten. She stopped hiding and, encouraged by her family, finally started to accept psychological therapy.

Lady Victoria stayed by Monica’s side every day, urging her to leave her room and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. They would walk together in the garden, with Lady Victoria sharing various interesting stories that had happened recently.

“Do you know, the cherry blossom trees in the estate are blooming beautifully, just like the painting you loved as a child,” Lady Victoria said with a smile, leading Monica to a corner of the garden. She stopped and looked at her daughter, gently asking, “Would you like to attend the party this weekend? Many people will be there, including some of your old friends.”

“Don’t worry, there won’t be anyone who would make you unhappy,” Lady Victoria added reassuringly.

Monica hesitated; she hadn’t attended any social event in a long time and felt a deep sense of unease and fear. But she also knew that her mother was trying hard to help her reintegrate into the world.

“Mom, I… I’m not sure,” Monica replied softly, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

“It’s okay, dear, there’s no need to force yourself,” Lady Victoria said, gently holding Monica’s hand. “But I believe that if you are willing to try, you’ll find many wonderful things waiting for you.”

The weekend party proceeded as scheduled, and the estate was brightly lit, with guests’ laughter mingling with the sounds of music. Monica, dressed in a pale lavender gown, stood at the entrance of the ballroom, her heart pounding. Her mother stood beside her, offering an encouraging smile.

“You look stunning, Monica,” Lady Victoria said softly.

Monica took a deep breath and stepped into the lively crowd. She felt many eyes on her, filled with surprise and concern. She tried to relax but couldn’t shake off her unease. She greeted the guests and responded to their inquiries with a polite smile, though her inner turmoil was hard to conceal.

Feeling overwhelmed by the noise and the crowd, Monica decided to take a walk in the back garden to clear her mind. The garden, bathed in moonlight, appeared particularly serene and mysterious. She gently pushed open the garden door, greeted by the fragrant blossoms and the cool night breeze, which seemed to soothe her troubled mind.

She strolled along the garden path, the cherry blossom trees swaying gently in the breeze, petals falling all around. At that moment, Monica felt her phone vibrating in her purse. She took it out and saw that it was a call from the housekeeper, Mary.

“Mary, what’s the matter?” Monica answered the call.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Miss,” Mary’s voice sounded anxious, “but young master Jason has been crying nonstop, and no one in the estate can calm him down.”

Monica sighed, quickly walked to a cherry blossom tree, and stopped. She took a deep breath, then began to sing an old lullaby, her voice clear as a spring, resonating through the night and mingling with the drifting petals.

“Such a beautiful voice.”

Monica turned around in surprise and saw a middle-aged man standing not far away. It was the renowned talent agent, Mike Captivated by her singing, his eyes sparkled with excitement.

Mike approached and politely introduced himself, “Hello, I’m Mike Clayton, an agent. You have a remarkable talent. Have you ever considered a career in the entertainment industry?”