Linda found herself walking on an endless road, surrounded by darkness on both sides. As she searched for the only
source of light, she heard the sound of ocean waves and faint calls of “Mommy, mommy…”
Her heart raced as she caught sight of a little girl running toward her with open arms, resembling a bird in flight.
“Pammy!” she cried out, rushing forward. But as she reached out, she stepped into emptiness and let out a scream.
Linda abruptly woke up, realizing she was in her own bed at home. Their family doctors and a teary-eyed Nicholas
surrounded her, holding her hands tightly.
Struggling to speak, she managed to call out to him, “Nic…”
“I know.” He choked. “Zen told me everything.”
Linda’s eyes filled with sadness and resentment. “We won’t… forgive him!”
“I know.” He nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
“Where’s our daughter?”
Before Nicholas could respond, there was a soft knock on the door, and Renee entered the room.
Their expressions changed upon seeing her, but Renee remained calm. She had been waiting for this day, relieved
that the burden in her heart had finally been lifted.
Renee knelt before them, causing them to be momentarily shocked before feeling a pang and wanting to help her
up. But the determined girl insisted on kneeling.
“I’m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.” Renee spoke softly but heavily. “I should have told the truth from the start, but
I was too afraid… I know I was selfish. You might have reunited with your daughter if it wasn’t for me. It’s my fault.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtI’m truly sorry…”
“Why would we blame you, you silly goose!” Linda mustered the strength to sit up, and Nicholas helped her. He also
helped Renee to her feet. “If not for you, we might have been deceived forever.”
“You silly goose, why do you call us Mr. and Mrs. Thompson? You should call us aunt and uncle!”
“What?” Renee was taken aback, her voice choked. “But… I’m Melvin’s daughter.”
“You can’t choose to be anyone’s daughter, but you made the right choice in being morally right.”
Renee’s eyes welled up with tears, and a twitch appeared at the corner of her lips.
Linda slowly got off the bed and unsteadily approached Renee, wiping away her tears. “Now I understand why you
kept your distance from us.” She smiled through her own tears. “and why you refused to sign the agreement for
the share transfer… You did it all for our daughter.”
“Aunt…” Renee uttered.
“You’re a good kid.” Linda wiped her tears away, though her own face was wet. “It’s Melvin who is at fault, not
you!”
Renee nodded, and for the first time since arriving at the Thompson residence, she smiled without the weight of
burdens on her shoulders.
…
Meanwhile, Zuko walked hand in hand with Lina in the night. The Thompson residence was just ahead, but he
noticed Lina’s footsteps slowing down and her gaze cast downward. Though he couldn’t see her face clearly, he
understood the conflicting emotions she was experiencing.
For the past two days, Lina had been unable to reach Melissa. Even when they managed to connect for a brief
moment, it seemed Melissa was avoiding conversation and would hang up quickly.
Zuko understood that Melissa was trying to create distance, but to Lina, it felt as had showered her with love since
childhood, had suddenly cast all that affection aside.
“What’s wrong, Lina?” Zuko stopped walking and subtly noticed the tears in her eyes under the soft moonlight.
His heart constricted, and he squatted in front of her, turning his head to smile at her. “Are you tired? I’ll carry you!”
Lina was taken aback.
“It’s alright, just hop on!” Zuko smiled. “I used to carry you every day when you were young!”
Lina’s heart squeezed, and she nervously gripped the corner of her shirt. Watching his broad back, she felt as if
everything was unreal. She wished it were all just a dream.
When she woke up from this dream, she would still be in her home in Jangasas. Melissa would make her fried
chicken in the kitchen, while Dave would keep calling her.
She would see her father sneaking a smoke in the alley and her mom catching him and scolding him while playfully
pulling his ear.
That was her home, that was her life…
Meanwhile, the grandeur of the Thompson residence and its luxurious courtyard felt like a world apart from her
own humble existence.
She bit her lip, deciding not to hop on Zuko’s back. Instead, she walked around him and headed straight ahead.
Zuko sighed as he watched her stubborn back, feeling a sense of heaviness.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmPerhaps Melissa was the only one who could bring Lina back to her senses at this moment.
Zuko furrowed his brow, thinking of something, but he couldn’t find the right mood to discuss it now. He caught up
to Lina and continued holding her hand as they approached the Thompson residence.
When they arrived at the door, they encountered Renee in the courtyard.
“You guys…” Renee was surprised, her smile growing. She stepped forward and grabbed Lina’s hand. “You’re back!
Uncle Nic and Aunt Linda will be so happy!”
Lina gently shook off her hand, still struggling to adjust to her new identity and the presence of these people who
were now her family.
“I’m sorry, Renee.” Lina spoke softly. “I-I heard that Mrs. Thompson isn’t feeling well, so I thought I’d visit her. I-I
don’t know how to face all of this yet. I need more time.”
“Mm-hmm, I understand.” Renee chuckled. “But you can’t visit her right now. The family doctors are here, and they
suggested she undergo a thorough examination at the hospital. Uncle Nic just went with her!”
Lina grew worried. “She’s going to the hospital this late? Is it serious?”
“I don’t think so.” Zuko hugged her, comforting her. “Aunt Linda has been getting regular check-ups at our joint
hospital. We have staff there around the clock. Uncle Nic is just concerned about her, so he would go to the hospital
no matter how late if the doctor advised it.”
“Oh…”
“You’ll stay home tonight?” he asked with a hint of testing in his tone.
Lina tightly gripped Zuko’s clothes and pouted.
Zuko smiled. Lina resembled a child who didn’t want her parents to leave after dropping her off at boarding school.