Chapter 2

Kinsley looked at me and Jamie, awkwardly smiling, "Jamie, your mom is back, so I have to go."

Jamie sat on the floor and cried loudly, "Let her go! I want Kinsley to stay. I want Kinsley to be my mom!"

Though Jamie was only four and innocent, hearing him say that pained me deeply.

Kinsley patted my shoulder. "Kids are like that. Don't take it personally."

Vicente picked Jamie up from the floor, saying coldly, "Say that again, and you'll stand outside for an hour."

Vicente's words were so stern that Jamie dared not to act up on the ground anymore.

Jamie's sobs filled the suddenly quiet living room.

Looking at this absurd charade, I thought of "The Emperor's New Clothes".

If I didn't speak up, we could continue pretending to be a harmonious family.

Vicente's career was getting better and better, and I could continue to be a rich lady of leisure.

Kinsley was still my bestie who shared my worries and troubles.

Even though Jamie misbehaved, he was still my son who I carried for ten months, and he would always be on my side in the future.

However...

Looking at Vicente pushing open the bedroom door, I heard my incredibly determined voice. "Vicente, let's get a divorce."

I returned to my hometown, Casterview, where Sydney Ingram was. She was my only family, the director of an orphanage.

"Patricia." She held my hand, tears welling up in her eyes. "What are you going to do?"

I placed my hand over hers and gazed at the rain puddles, saying softly, "It will get better."

In fact, I was not sure. In an instant, my husband, son, and best friend were all gone. I was alone again, just like when I was a child.

Sydney hugged me, saying, "Come home if you feel sad."

I nodded, and as I left, a commotion caught my attention. A girl was pushed into a puddle by boys, her white dress stained with dirt. Sydney scolded the boys, and I helped the girl up. She clutched a stuffed bear tightly, its face splashed with mud.

"Is this important to you?" I asked.

She nodded, trying in vain to clean the mud off. Sydney sighed, "This child waits for her family at the gate every day, but no one comes."

Seeing her small figure, I saw a reflection of my own childhood. On impulse, I asked, "Can I adopt her?"

That day, there were two shadows at the gate, and I had a foster daughter.

I named her Sofia Miller. At home, I bathed Sofia thoroughly and made her fragrant. With experience caring for Jamie, I found Sofia easy to handle.

Jamie was unruly and demanding, requiring someone to feed him, and he was extremely picky about food, often flipping the whole plate of food onto the floor.

Sofia, on the other hand, was quiet but obediently accepted the balanced meals I prepared for her. She silently finished her food and even volunteered to do the dishes.

Taking care of Sofia was much less stressful than taking care of Jamie back then.

However, I felt a distance between Sofia and me. During a routine dental check, I discovered a cavity in Sofia's mouth.

This reminded me of Jamie's dental issues. I never allowed him to eat sweet food.

When Jamie said that Kinsley was going to make nougats for him that day, Vicente didn't react much, obviously not taking Jamie's dental issues to heart.

Sofia noticed my distraction and patted my arm, looking puzzled.

To tease her, I said, "I saw a movie where the adopted child was actually an adult dwarf, so I have to check your teeth to see if you're really a kid." Sofia gave me a resigned look for the first time.