Luna arrived home from the hospital. As soon as she sat down, however, she received a call from Nigel. “Mommy, I’ve managed to confirm the address. The IP address that Aura used to contact Grandma seems to be coming from a hospital. I’ve sent you the location of the hospital,” said Nigel over the phone. Luna glanced at the address Nigel sent. It seemed to be a mental institution located on the outskirts of Banyan City. ‘Is it true that Aura hasn't been sent abroad to Ausland?’ Luna thought to herself. ‘Since she was still in Banyan City, why did Joshua fake the news that she went abroad? He even went to the extent of forging photographs and footage of Aura landing in Ausland. Was it simply because he wanted to find an excuse for her sudden disappearance? Why did he imprison her then, and in a mental institution, no less?’More and more questions surfaced in her mind. ‘Did Joshua imprison Aura because he wanted her to pay the price of trying to hurt his child? If so, why did he n
Nigel could remember the times when Luna woke up crying in the middle of the night. Every time that happened, he would get up and put his arm around her in an attempt to comfort her. His mother had been through so much just to bring the three of them into this world. She had gone through so much hardship to change her appearance and assume a new identity. All of this was so she could start a new life, but because of him and Nellie, she had to get close to that man again—the man who brought all of this down on her in the first place.“Mommy.” Nigel paused and took a deep breath before he finally said, “I love you.” He would never say anything that would disappoint her again.Luna never expected to hear a heartfelt confession like that from her usually shy and temperate son. She chuckled in response. “I know. The three of you are the best things to ever happen to me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you by my side.”With that, she hung up the phone and plopped down on the cou
Luna’s breath caught in her throat. Her guess was right; Nellie had started attending school at the same kindergarten that Neil went to.“Mr. Lynch, I believe you’re mistaken,” began Luna. “Nellie’s insistence on attending school with Neil must’ve been because they’re very close with each other. I don’t think it has anything to do with me. I’ve never even mentioned this idea to her.” She gave a slight smirk and added, “Mr. Lynch, I have a piece of advice for you: Instead of trying to blame your problems on other people, why not actually sit down and have a conversation with your daughter to find out what she really wants? Nellie and Neil are close friends, and it’s normal for them to want to attend school together.”Joshua’s eyes narrowed as he heard Luna’s response. This woman was a piece of work. Not only did she suddenly quit her job at Blue Bay Villa, but she acted so uncouthly and impolite to him all at this moment, too.When Joshua did not reply, Luna frowned and tried to si
The kindergarten teacher was startled by Luna’s sudden reaction. She froze for a moment before she slowly pointed in the direction of the nurse’s office. “Nellie got injured just now, and Neil is currently with her at the nurse’s office.”As soon as she finished her sentence, Joshua immediately stomped off in the direction the teacher had pointed. Luna had no choice but to trail along behind him. The two adults stormed into the nurse’s office in a flurry of panic.Inside the nurse’s office, Neil asked, “Which flavor do you like more: original or garlic?” He was perched on the examination bed as he munched on a chicken drumstick.“They’re both yummy!” replied Nellie with her mouth full. She was clutching another chicken drumstick in her hand.“Alright, then let’s sneak out to order some more tomorrow,” beamed Neil. He reached out an oily hand to pinch Nellie’s cheek. “Tomorrow, we’ll pretend that I got hurt, and you can accompany me to the nurse’s office again.”“Okay!” Nellie nodd
Joshua and Luna both froze as they heard Neil’s confession. Even the teacher who stood behind them gaped at the sudden turn of events.Who would have thought something like that would happen? Luna rubbed her brows in exasperation, thinking to herself, ‘What kind of scheming children did I give birth to? Haven’t I told them countless times that they shouldn’t eat junk food like this?’“It’s all my fault, Daddy,” sulked Nellie. “Class was really boring, and the lunch I had wasn’t yummy at all. I overheard another kid talking about eating fried chicken with his mommy and daddy, so I wanted fried chicken too, but…”Disappointment clouded Nellie’s gaze. “I knew that you wouldn’t let me have fried chicken because it’s not healthy, so I asked Neil to help…”The anger on Joshua’s face dissipated. After a moment’s hesitation, he heaved a deep sigh and stared at his daughter. “You’re such a mischievous girl,” he said in a tender voice. “This was all just a misunderstanding, Mr. Lynch,” the
By the time Joshua, Luna, Neil, and Nellie came out of the kindergarten, the crowd of parents waiting outside had dispersed. Lucas, obediently waiting outside, froze momentarily in shock when he saw the two adults and two children emerging out of the building.‘Why are Joshua and Luna together again? They had just parted ways last night and even fought this morning.’ Lucas thought to himself, flummoxed at the sight. He could still picture the solemn look on Joshua’s face when he returned to the ward this morning. Did they somehow manage to make up in just a few hours?Joshua hoisted Nellie into his arms and slid into the backseat.Neil, seemingly trying to avoid Joshua, opened the passenger side door in a swift motion and sat in the front passenger seat.Luna paused. After a moment’s hesitation, however, she opened the car door and got into the backseat. Joshua was on the left while Luna was on the right, with Nellie wedged in between them.“Thank you, Daddy!” Nellie gazed at he
Luna was astonished to hear Lily’s words. Why would Adrian Lynch want to talk to Joshua about her? Was she not just a resigned maid to the Lynch family? What was there to talk about?Joshua was just as surprised. He shot Luna a disapproving frown and turned back to look at Lily. “Ask the chefs to prepare fried chicken,” he ordered.Lily nodded after a moment’s hesitation. She linked hands with the two children, and the trio entered the house together. Lucas also left to park the car in the garage. Joshua and Luna were the only two people left standing in front of Blue Bay Villa, though Joshua did not seem to be in a rush. He took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and proceeded to light one. Then, he leaned casually against the pillar and took a drag on his cigarette. The smoke made his unsmiling face look even colder and unapproachable.Joshua fixated his steely gaze on Luna and sneered, “I guess you decided to target my father instead since you couldn’t get any confidentia
“Lily mentioned that you’ve been waiting for over an hour now?” Joshua took off his jacket and handed it over to a servant. He lowered himself onto the couch and planted his arm gracefully on the leather armrest. “You wanted to talk to me?”“I do,” Adrian replied. He glanced at Luna and smiled. “It’s okay, we’ll talk next time.”“I probably won’t even be interested in hearing about it next time,” said Joshua as he crossed one slender leg over the other. “Tell me now.” Joshua had never really been fond of his father, much less had a close relationship with him. The way he talked to his father at that moment felt no different from talking to a subordinate.Adrian never expected that Joshua would behave like that; he did not even bother to show any respect toward him. Adrian remained silent for a moment before giving a wry smile. “Alright, I’ll just come right out and say it.” He glanced at Luna and cleared his throat. “It’s about Ms. Luna. I’m sure you know that I’m a jewelry desi