Watching her hold the bottle with her chubby little hands, drinking milk so adorably, I felt a slight tug at my heartstrings, as if a feather had brushed against it.

"Today is our first day of filming. Let's get to know each other. My name is Gloria Smith. We'll be living together for the next three months, and I'll be playing the role of your mom."

"Although you don't have a dad in this show, I'll do my best to play the role of your mom."

I introduced myself to the little one.

Pomelo blinked her eyes and said in her sweet, soft voice, "Mom, you're so pretty."

I usually don't smile, but today, Pomelo made me smile. I gently patted her head, "After you finish, wash up and go to bed. We need to meet the other moms, dads, and babies tomorrow."

Pomelo obediently nodded, "Okay, Mom."

I patted her head, then took her to wash up. I didn't help her at all. The little one did everything by herself.

I never really took care of children, nor do I know how to.

Having lost my own child, I've always been indifferent to other children, perhaps because of my illness.

Finally, I took her to the children's room.

After returning to my own room, my assistant called, asking me to check online.

When I did, I saw nothing but harsh comments from netizens.

3

[Why is Gloria so cold? Even if the little girl isn't her real daughter, she shouldn't let her wash her face and brush her teeth alone. She's only four.]

[Exactly! My daughter is five, and I personally take care of everything for her. I wouldn't let my daughter participate in such a show.]

[Compared to the other three families, Gloria is really cold.]

[An out-of-date actress, she still thinks she's a top star. What a diva.]

[You don't understand. Gloria and Pomelo just met, and it's her first time on a reality show. Of course, she doesn't know how to interact yet.]

[Oh, someone's defending their idol now...]

[...]

These comments didn't bother me.

I'm no longer the Gloria I used to be.

I closed my phone and fell asleep.

4

On the first official day of filming, the families were supposed to get to know each other.

The other three families came to my apartment to visit.

After some polite conversation, the children went from being strangers to familiar playmates, eventually sitting on the carpet together, playing games.

The first family's Cindy asked me, "Gloria, why didn't Martin come?"

I casually made up an excuse, "He's filming and couldn't find the time."