Cynthia tried stuffing the pile of crumpled money into Serenity's hands again. Serenity accepted the 'special' money this time. "Okay, I'll take this. You can pay me back the rest when you have enough. Now, let's get you two home."Lisa drove and took the kids to their home. When they arrived at their destination, Lisa and Serenity dropped off the kids at the door. Cynthia's stepmother, Yara Jenkins, opened the door. When she saw the kids, she immediately yelled at Cynthia, "Where have you been? If you don't like staying in this house, take this leech with you and get out of there!""I left a note. I took Caden to the hospital," Cynthia said calmly."You left a note? Hmph! The hospital? The both of you must have been fooling around! Did you damage someone's property? Do you need me to pay for it? I'm telling you, the family's money has nothing to do with your short-lived mom. It all belongs to me and your father!" Yara scolded, assuming that Serenity and Lisa had come to their house
Jackson stared at Serenity, feeling puzzled. "Why are you suddenly thinking of adopting a child?""Remember that boy I met when we were at the amusement park? I went to Clara's place today, and I saw the kid again. His name is Caden..." Serenity then told Jackson about what had happened in the day."The boy isn't blood-related to his current family. He was adopted, and his adoptive parents were unkind to him. I think they'll continue to abuse him, maybe frequently." Serenity had talked to Caden's parents earlier, but she did not think they would stop after what she had said. After all, it would be hard to change when abusing the kid became a habit."The kid was adopted by his current family. If that's the case, can we get his current family to dissolve the adoption and let us adopt him?" Serenity suggested.Jackson smiled. "You seem to care about the child a lot. Do you like him that much?""Maybe because he's about the same age as Micah and Jackie," Serenity explained and hesitat
"Yeah. I’ll never get back together with him. Not now, not ever," Clara said frankly. "We'll never go back to how we were before.""Is it true you'll never love him again? He was wrong, but he's trying to make up for it. Will it never change your mind?" Jackson asked straightforwardly."Jack!" Serenity exclaimed, worried Jackson's questions would make Clara uncomfortable. Wanting to hear Clara's answer, Jackson continued staring at Clara uncharacteristically. "Yes. I won't love him again, even if he spends the rest of his life making up for his mistakes, even if he lives in regret," Clara answered in a calm and decisive way.Jackson furrowed his brow. "But why? He hurt you because he was blinded. He didn't hurt you on purpose." "No. He was the one who approached me in the beginning and intentionally made me fall in love with him. He had many opportunities to investigate the truth, but he never did. He was wired to believe what he wanted to believe and preferred to treat me as
Caden saw no difference between a wound that healed quickly and one that healed slowly. The pain never bothered him, after all. "You should get your injuries treated even if it doesn't hurt. If you don't, it may affect your health in the future. I know you don't feel much pain this time, but what if you hurt your bone? If you don't get it treated, you'll walk with a limp forever," Serenity explained as simply as possible.Caden remained silent, pondering Serenity's words. Serenity added, "Do you want to live in a different home? Would you like to come and live with us? No one will hurt you again, and you won't get these injuries again."Caden grew wary, showing a defensive look on his face. The way he looked at Serenity changed. He was full of hostility, like a small animal ready to fight back, attacking its predator. Serenity's heart ached at the change in Caden's eyes. Was Caden treating her like an enemy? Jackson took a step forward and stood between the little boy and Seren
Jackson took a last look at the boy before leaving, lost in thought. He remained silent the whole time, even after getting into the car. "Something on your mind?" Serenity asked, finally bringing Jackson back to his senses. "No, it's nothing. Let's go home," he said, a small smile forming on his lips.At night, Jackson wandered to the memorial hall. He walked in, staring at his late father's black and white photo on the wall. His father had a smiling face with smiling eyes and a gentle smile spreading across his face like sunshine.Jackson observed his father's eyes and realized the shape of his eyes was similar to the boy he had seen earlier, Caden. Jackson had met the boy at the playground before, but he had only taken a brief glance at him. Serenity had told him a lot about Caden, but he did not get a good look at the boy until this day. Jackson had not noticed the similarities at first, but then he realized the child's eyes were like his father's, except for the look in his e
"It's nothing. I just suddenly thought of coming here to take a look," Jackson said. He realized Caden might be the child they lost, but he did not want to tell Serenity anything before the results came out. Things had not concluded, and she might get happy too early."Having a bad day?" Serenity asked."Hmm? You think I'm here because I'm in a bad mood?" Jackson mused with a slight twinkle in his eyes."And is that why you're here?" Serenity gazed at him, her eyes filled with concern."No." Jackson shook his head. "I'm not in a bad mood. On the contrary, I'm in a pretty good mood," he said, taking her into his arms.Jackson knew she would be overjoyed to find her missing child, especially if Caden turned out to be their lost child. Perhaps her genuine smile would return, replacing her recent smiles that were with a hint of lingering sadness in her eyes."Something made you happy today?" Serenity asked, puzzled."Well, you're here right by my side. Isn't that enough to make me h
Lisa fell silent. She thought she could get over Terry. She was about to succeed, and maybe one day, her heart would not waver for that man again. Over the years, Lisa had been slowly learning to let go of Terry. She thought of him less, and every time she thought of him, the heartache she felt gradually diminished. But Terry had been occupying her mind lately. She thought of the time he took her to his apartment, the time he kissed her, and the things he said. She thought about him so much that she could not sleep.Lisa had tried so hard to let go, but everything crumbled at Terry's return to her life."Are you going to be with Terry again?" Gale asked, curious. "The Hart family has called off the engagement between Terry and Monica. You can get back with him, and people won't criticize you for the relationship anymore."Lisa shook her head. "I've never thought of getting back with him. I don't think we will. We can't make the relationship work. We came from two worlds apart, his
Lisa wanted to pick up some gifts for Yanny, Micah, and Jackie, so she made Gale accompany her shopping after the meal. Besides, walking after eating could aid in digestion. Lisa told Gale about Caden while walking around the mall. "When that kid took off his shirt, I couldn't believe how many bruises that kid had on his body. I'm so mad at Caden's family. I know Caden is adopted and not their own, but how could they beat him like this?! I won't ever treat my child like this. I'll probably shower them in love, not pain.""You're going to be a good mother," Gale mused."I don't know if I'll ever become a mom," Lisa said, shrugging. A woman's fertility would naturally decline as she get older, and Lisa was already in her thirties. Some women would still bear children over forty, but they were the minority.Maybe Lisa would get over Terry in a few years, but she would miss her childbearing age by then. Lisa had always loved children. She even once imagined how her child would loo