Chapter 262
“She just asked me where her baby is p>
“What?” Josh and Claire both froze in shock.
Josh’s voice was low and tense. “What did you say to her? Did you tell her the truth p>
“No, I didn’t p>
Back when everything happened, Adonis had insisted they couldn’t keep the baby with Mamie. He pushed hard to send the child to an orphanage. Nobody expected that three months later, the orphanage would call to say the baby had passed away after getting sick.
For seven years, Adonis carried that guilt. He tried so hard to make things right for Mamie, but in the end, the thing he feared most still happened.
“Adonis, some things are better left unsaid. You did what you thought was best for her. Keeping the baby close would have just made things even harder for her. When we made that decision, none of us thought it would end like this p>
“And that car accident Mamie’s parents were in… wasn’t that set up by those people p>
“I’ve been uneasy ever since Mamie came back to the country. After she broke off her engagement, your mom and I got even more anxious. We tried arranging dates for her, hoping she’d move on and not get stuck in the past. Still, I never thought things would turn out like this p>
“At least Mamie has a new boyfriend now. His family has power and influence. He should be able to look out for her p>
Adonis was caught off guard. “Is this new guy trustworthy p>
“Dad, after all these years, is there still no sign of Mamie’s old boyfriend? The one who just disappeared p>
Josh shook his head. “Who knows. It doesn’t matter anymore. The baby’s gone p>
“Yeah p>
Adonis was more cautious than his dad. “Mom, what’s Mamie’s new boyfriend’s name p>
“Scott Stephens p>
Mamie stood in front of a tree covered with little wooden plaques. Somewhere under its roots was a marker for her baby.
Tears slid down her face, her chest twisting with pain. They’d never even met, but it was still her child-a life that belonged to her.
Mamie didn’t know how to blame Josh or Claire. She couldn’t force her grief onto them or question why they buried the baby here.
“I’m sorry, baby. Mommy’s so late p>
“Baby, I’m so sorry. Will you ever forgive me p>
A gentle wind rustled through the branches, making the plaques chime softly. No answer came.
She stood there from midday until the sun started to set. Eventually, a staff member came over to tell her the place was closing.
Reluctantly, Mamie left.
Following local custom, she bought some paper money and tiny clothes for offerings. She found a quiet spot on the roadside where no one would bother her.
When the streetlights flickered on, she crouched down and whispered to the night.
“Baby, are you alright up there? I’m sorry I took so long to find you. If you miss me, come see me in my dreams, okay p>
The red glow from the burning offerings lit up her face, and the smoke made her eyes sting.
Even after everything had turned to ash, Mamie didn’t want to I This was
she was sputting in two.
heartbreak, she real net
It
Her knees were numb when she finally tried to stand. She stayed there for a long
time, just breathing, before turning to go.
That’s when she saw a pair of polished black shoes in front of her.
Her gaze traveled up tailored pants, then found Scott’s face shifting in the glow of the streetlight. Garth was there too, clutching Scott’s hand..
“Mamie, what are you doing here p>
“Hey, Mamie, what a coincidence! You haven’t eaten yet, have you? My dad wants
to invite you for dinner p>
Mamie looked at Garth’s chubby little face, and her heart squeezed painfully tight.
If her baby had survived, he’d be just about Garth’s age.