1.1
L
Chapter 34%
At the far end of the hallway, the sound of Nora crying mixed with the doctor’s attempts to console her. But all he could hear was the echo of my last words, ringing endlessly in his mind.
The phone screen lit up and a message from Yvonne came in. [Your father wants you home immediately. Nora and her daughter are demanding an explanation]
He stared at the message long before a sudden laugh escaped him..
As he chuckled, tears splashed onto the screen
How utterly ridiculous. He thought getting rid of the child would allow him to return to the past, but he’d forgotten that the Daphne who once loved him had long since died in the wake of his repeated betrayals.
Upstairs in the hospital, Wendy was stirring from the anesthesia. She reached down to touch her flat abdomen and let out a heart–wrenching scream”
Ever since I could not have children, I’d been supporting orphanages.
Now that the studio was on break, I visited one of the orphanages Id been supporting back home!!
Julian had been clinging to me and this time, he followed me back to my hometown. Once he heard about my plans, he came along, tool
The early winter sun was warm and soft as it spread across the playground. A dozen kids surrounded me, all chattering excitedly, begging to play tag.
crouched down to tie a little girl’s loose shoelace and she immediately threw herself into my arms, her voice soft and sweet, “Ms. Daphne, you be the mama hen!
“Alright!” I laughed, standing up and stretching my arms wide to protect my little line of “chicks.”
Their laughter rang like wind chimes through the playground. I laughed with them and somehow, all the restlessness and anxiety I’d been carrying just faded away.
Julian stood under a tree, camera in hand, quietly capturing the moment!
His gaze followed me constantly. I always met his gentle, smiling eyes whenever I tumed my head.
“Ms. Daphne, look at the bunny I made!” A little girl with braided pigtails proudly held up her paper rabbit.
I took it from her and suddenly remembered, years ago, how Jonathan used to fold paper roses for me clumsily
I smiled. Some memories stay with you forever. Even if I didn’t love Jonathan anymore, I’d once been moved by his sincerity.X
“What are you thinking about?” Julian appeared beside me, handing over a warm cup of water.
“Nothing much.” I accepted the cup. “Just thinking that the kids are adorable.”
He followed my gaze to the children playing in the classroom and asked softly. “Are you still having a hard time letting go of it?”
I knew he was talking about my inability to have kids anymore.
My fingers involuntarily caressed my belly, where a life had once resided.
“A little regretful, perhaps,” I smiled. “But it’s okay. Medicine is so advanced now, maybe there will be opportunities in the future.”
“Daphne,” Julian called as he looked earnestly into my eyes. “Children aren’t for inheriting anything, nor are they for maintaining a marriage.”
He pointed at the orphanage’s director, who was helping the children with their crafts. “Look at Ms. Lily. She never got married, never had children of her own, but she’s still a mother to hundreds of kids.““”
The sunlight streaming through the window lit up his profile, his lashes casting a soft shadow under his eyes.
My heart skipped a beat!
His voice dropped even softer, “So, don’t ever feel like you’re less than me just because you can’t have children.
“Big bro!” A little boy ran over and hugged his leg. “Come play soccer with us!”
Julian gave me a helpless smile and let the kids drag him away.!!
I watched him run across the field with them, warmth blooming in my chest.)
By evening, I was rocking back and forth on the orphanage swing.
Julian walked over with two cups of hot cocoa and handed me one.
“Had a good time today?” he asked.
“Mm–hmm.” I took a sip. The sweet, rich flavor spread across my tongue. Thank you for coming with me.”