The next morning, Meredith woke up as expected.Perhaps it was because she had slept for too long, she was in a dazed state when she woke up.Staring at the familiar ceiling, she tried to recall the fragmented bits of her memory. The more she tried to recall, the more her body started shivering in fear.Charlie had committed suicide…it was not a dream, but it did happen.Meredith sat up abruptly from her bed and wanted to get off the bed when she was startled by the man in front of her.It was Josiah Shelby!He was in his room all this time?"You're awake, Edith," Josiah called out to her gently.Of course, he was going to be by her side knowing that she was going to wake up today.That was why Josiah had been in her room since early morning."How are you feeling? Do you feel uncomfortable?" Josiah walked toward her, put his hands on her shoulders, and studied her carefully.Josiah was worried that the sleeping pills might have side effects on Meredith.Ignoring his questio
Yet, she still insisted, "But it's not right of me not to check up on Charlie, is it? Plus, I've promised to stay by his side to take care of him the moment he wakes up."Josiah's face darkened.Even though he was upset by the promise that she had made, he tried to soften his tone and comfort her, "Of course, you should go visit him. But it's better if you wait for another few days. At least until Charlie's all calmed down."Meredith replied, "But if I don't go now, he'll be disappointed and it will be harder for him to feel better.""But he's still recovering. I'm worried that his condition would worsen if he gets all worked up," Josiah sighed helplessly, "listen to me, hmm? Give it two more days."Meredith fumed, "Josiah Shelby, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You just don't want me to go see him, isn't it?"Josiah pulled into a helpless smile. "Meredith Leighton, do you really think that I'd be able to stop you from doing what you want? Do you think I'd lock you up h
"It's fine. Let her be, I don't want to disturb her.""If that's the case, let's make you something to eat. You must be hungry."It was then Meredith realized that she was indeed famished.Just by the look on her face, Josiah guessed that Meredith was hungry. He then said to her, "Let's go. I'll cook up something for you.""I want to take a shower first," Meredith said.She slept for three days and she also had not showered for three days."Okay. Come down after you're done.""Mm." Meredith headed into the shower room.After showering, Meredith was putting on her clothes in front of the mirror. But she suddenly realized something suspicious.She did not get into any accident when she left the hospital the other day. She only remembered falling asleep in Josiah's car. How did she end up sleeping for an entire three days?She had never slept for so long.Could it be that something was wrong with her body?Meredith shook off the thought because if something did happen to her,
This time around, Meredith did not expect Josiah to take her words seriously.But like previous times, Josiah agreed, "Okay, I won't do it anymore."He then moved the breakfast in front of her and asked, "Edith, can you eat now?"Meredith glanced at him coldly. She wondered why Josiah was not mad even when she just yelled at her.Josiah was mild-tempered as usual.After breakfast, Meredith went upstairs to spend some time with Nia before getting ready to leave.Josiah stopped her and asked, "Where are you going? I'll drive you."Meredith glanced at his hand frustratedly. "I've missed out on work for three days all thanks to you. Shouldn't I at least make sure that my company is still there?""It's the New Year, what is there for you to do?" Josiah was skeptical. "Even if there is, I can help you with it."Meredith stared at him and wondered if Josiah was really that worried that she would go visit Charlie at the hospital.For the sake of getting rid of him, she said, "Don't w
Ever since the day where she stopped Meredith from visiting the hospital, Meredith had not shown up since then.And this angered Charlie's mother. She felt deeply unjust for her son.Looking at Charlie's mother, Meredith said, "Mrs. Larson, I don't think that you came all the way here just to mock me. You can cut to the chase and say what you want to."Charlie's mother was slightly irked by how Meredith spoke to her. But for the sake of her useless son, she could only hold herself back.She took a deep breath before asking, "That night, you promised that you'd come back to Charlie and take care of him if he woke up, yes?""Yes," Meredith replied without any hesitation."Then why are you still here?""...""Charlie hasn't been talking much nor showing any interest to anyone since he woke up. I think you know better why he ended up this way, don't you?"Meredith nodded. "I know. I didn't visit him for the past few days because I didn't want to go against you and also, I didn't w
"She's not upstairs?" Josiah was slightly surprised. "But she doesn't have to go to work today.""Oh? Let me try to look for her in the garden."Josiah took the groceries to the kitchen and when he walked past the dining table, he noticed the note on the table.He reached for the note and realized that it was from Meredith.[It's about time that I go back to Charlie. Please take good care of Nia for me for the time being. Thank you.]Reading the message, Josiah furrowed his brows.After a while, he reached for his phone and called Meredith. Very quickly, Meredith answered his call."Nia and I have bought ingredients to make your favorite dishes. How could you just leave like that?" His voice lamented with seriousness.On the other end of the call was Meredith's calm voice. "I've planned to go back to Charlie as soon as he's calmer. I think today is a good time.""So, you're not coming back today?""No.""Meredith Leighton!" Josiah fumed, "I've gone through hoops just to get
On the outside, she sounded calm and composed, yet on the inside, she felt as if her heart was being torn into pieces.Even though what she said made sense, it was hard for her to let go of Nia. It was nearly impossible for her to give up on Nia.She would definitely be in pain if she were to be separated from Nia.Nia was her family but Charlie was her responsibility. In the end, she had chosen to give up on Nia and go back to Charlie. It took her a lot of courage to come to this decision.She simply hoped that Charlie would recover quickly so that her efforts would not go to waste.She knew that she had hurt Charlie deeply and there might be a chance that he would not believe her nor agree with her decision.But, Charlie, on the other hand, said flatly, "Are you done talking? Can you please tell me who you are now?"Meredith was stunned.Meredith's eyes widened in shock. After a few seconds, she grabbed his hand and asked, "Charlie, you…""You're right, I don't remember you.
Even though she had heard of erasing someone's memories through hypnosis, this is the first time she had encountered this.And the hypnosis actually worked."Mrs. Larson, wouldn't this hurt Charlie? I've heard that things could easily go wrong if we're not careful.""It's better than how he was hurt last time," Charlie's mother glanced coldly at her and said, "Meredith Leighton, do you really think that he can accept the fact that his wife ran away with another man and the fact that he is crippled? I managed to save him once when he was at death's door, but what about the next time? Would he be that lucky?""...""But of course, he's not your son. Why should you care?""Mrs. Larson, I know that your intentions are good and you're doing this for Charlie's sake. But what you did is too dangerous. I hope you won't try this again."She then added, "I've promised that I would stay by Charlie and take care of him. I will not let him have the chance to do such a foolish thing anymore."
Back in the bedroom on the second floor, Liam pulled Ivy into the bathroom to take a bath together.Ivy allowed him to take off her clothes and pulled her to stand under the water.Liam helped her take a bath and asked, "How is it? Is everything okay?""It's not bad." Ivy said, "I didn't expect your parents to welcome me so warmly."Liam looked at her proudly, with the water still flowing down from his head. "Of course! You should thank the guy that has good taste. How can they dislike a girl of my choosing?"Ivy smiled and said, "Okay, previously...""Don't mention the previous things, let them pass." Liam interrupted her.Ivy was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, it's all over.""Yes. From now on, there is only happiness." Liam lowered his head and whispered in her ear, and kissed her lips……Meredith and Josiah listened in shock to Liam and Ivy's story, while watching the three children chasing and making trouble outside the floor-to-ceiling window.They were all
Ivy raised her hand and touched the top of Siena's hair. "God treated me well, and gave me back my daughter, and also gave me the child's father.""No, you're wrong." Liam smiled and said, "God treated me well and sent the child and the child's mother back to my arms.""Oh, spare me." Madam Sheldon shook her head unbearably.Madam Sheldon finally believed that Siena was her own granddaughter.She excitedly hugged Siena into her arms, and she burst into tears with joy. "Great, our Sheldon family finally has a granddaughter! Great!""Grandma, you like Siena, right?" Siena asked sweetly."Nonsense! Of course, Grandma likes Siena. Grandma has always dreamed about a little grandson or a little granddaughter." Madam Sheldon choked as she said.Liam and Ivy looked at each other and smiled.After hugging Siena excitedly for a while, Madam Sheldon released her, and looked at her again. "Now that you mentioned it, she looks a lot like Liam. Look at her nose, her ears...right? Am I righ
"You even helped me get dressed before you left!" Liam pinched her chin. "Ivy, aren't you embarrassed saying these things?""You asked me.""...""If I didn't help you get dressed, you might be so stupid that you don't even know that you slept with someone, right?""Ivy!" Liam gritted his teeth. "You stole my seed, and you dare to laugh at me for being stupid?""Isn't it stupid?" Ivy was not afraid of him. She raised an eyebrow at him deliberately. "Liam, think about it. Were you being stupid that night?"Liam was silent.Yes, he was really stupid.He was so stupid that he was too embarrassed to admit it. He did not even have the face to mention it in front of Josiah.Looking at the woman in front of him, he wanted to laugh and be mad at the same time.He did not want to say anything. He just wanted to use actions to prove how angry he was, how excited, happy, and...Countless emotions were intertwined in his body, causing him to bow his head and kiss her lips fiercely.Ivy
"Okay, I'm sorry." Ivy got up and walked around in front of him, sitting on his lap and hugging his neck with a smile. "Do I need to make up for you as well? Say sorry to you?""Yes, of course.""I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn't have kept it from you for so long. I shouldn't have kept the news about Siena's from you until now, okay?""Do you think I'll let you off with just that?" Liam was not satisfied."Then what do you want?""The rest will be paid in the evening.""Okay, double compensation," Ivy responded generously.Hearing her say that, Liam was extremely satisfied.He did not mind his daughter's presence at all. He instructed her, "Siena, turn around, I'm going to kiss Mommy.""Why can't I see you kiss Mommy?" Siena was puzzled."Because your Mommy will be shy.""Oh, okay then." Siena turned around wisely."I'm not shy, it's you who is shy." Ivy held Liam's handsome face and kissed him on the lips.Liam was moved for a second, and when he tried to dee
The adoptive parents expressed their understanding. They waved their hands and said, "It's alright. If it were me, I'd be crying happy tears too.""Anyway, thank you very much," Liam said."Mister Liam, you don't have to be so polite. Otherwise, we will be even more embarrassed," the adoptive father said.The adoptive mother held Siena, who seemed a little lost. She pulled Siena in front of Ivy and said softly, "Siena, I'm sorry, Mommy never told you that Ivy is your biological mommy."Siena looked at her in shock. "Really? Is Mommy Ivy my biological mother? Did she give birth to me?""Yes. Mommy wouldn't just pass you to a random stranger, right?" The adoptive mother smiled and said, "Siena, you will be able to spend time with your biological mommy in the future. Isn't that great?"Siena nodded, then stretched out her palm and gently stroked Ivy's face. "Mommy, why are you crying? Don't you want to be my biological mommy?""Siena!" Ivy suddenly pulled Siena into her embrace."
Siena's adoptive parents expressed that they understood. They waved their hands and said, "It's fine. If it were me, we would cry happy tears too." "Anyway, thank you very much," Liam said."Mister Liam, don't say such a thing. If not, we will be even more embarrassed," Siena's adoptive father said.Siena's adoptive mother pulled Siena, who did not know much about what was happening, over to Ivy's side and gently said, "Siena, I'm sorry. I have never told you that Ivy is your real Mommy."Siena looked at her in shock. "Are you serious? Mommy Ivy is my real Mommy? The one that gave birth to me?""Yes, if not, how could I simply give you to any other person?" Siena's adoptive mother said with a smile, "In the future, you will be living with your real Mommy. Are you happy?"Siena nodded before reaching her hand out and touching Ivy's face. "Mommy, why are you crying? Don't you want to be my real Mommy?""Siena!" Ivy suddenly hugged her."Darling, I have been looking for you for s
Siena's adoptive parents looked at each other and smiled.The kitchen was calling them to take their seats.Liam got up and said, "Come, let's eat and talk."Then, he said to Siena, "Siena, go get Daddy and Mommy to eat. They must be hungry."Siena happily brought her adoptive parents to take their seats. The dinner was in the garden. They ate and talked at the same time. The entire process was pleasant.Toward the end, Siena's adoptive mover suddenly got up and walked over to Ivy. She looked at her deeply and said after a while, "Ivy, there is a secret I have been hiding from you for a very long time.""What is it?" Ivy saw how serious she was. She could not help but feel the severity of it."Siena…" Siena's adoptive mother paused for a while before saying, "Siena is the baby that you have been looking for all these years."Ivy was stunned. Liam was stunned too.Ivy was feeling uneasy. Blood was rushing to her head. Shock, delight, surprise, excitement, all of the emotions ga
Ivy heard what Liam said and looked out at the door.When she saw that it was Siena's adoptive parents, she was instantly stunned."They are the guests that you mentioned?""Yes." Liam stood next to her and smiled. He said, "They said they hoped that they could see Siena one more time.""Is that so? That's great." Ivy held Siena's hand and walked out.Outside the door, Siena's adoptive parents were extremely friendly. "Hello! Ivy! Haven't seen you in a while!""Hello." Ivy welcomed them. "Welcome."They looked at Siena behind Ivy. "Hello, Siena. It's been a while."Siena was so anxious she was almost in tears. She said with reddened eyes, "I don't want to go back! I don't want to!"Seeing how Siena was against them, they looked awkward. From there, one could infer how irresponsible they were of their adopted daughter previously.Ivy ruffled Siena's head and said softly in her ears, "Siena, don't be afraid. Your adoptive parents are here to send you off because you're about to
Ivy cleared her throat. She ruffled Siena's head. "Don't listen to your Daddy. How could I be tired? Furthermore, taking care of you is the happiest and proudest thing I have ever done.""Really? Mommy, you really like me that much?""I do."Siena laughed happily."Let's go. We'll head home." Ivy held Siena's hand and they walked under the sycamore tree."Mommy, has Daddy gone back?""Not yet," Ivy said, "Daddy said he wants to give us a surprise.""Oh, that's great. I don't want Daddy to leave us.""Why? Do you like Daddy?""I do." Siena nodded. "Also, with Daddy here, you will be much happier. I like to see you being happy."Ivy saw Siena's face under the sun. She could not help but be moved. Siena was too understanding and caring.She suddenly thought of her own daughter. If she was still around, she would be Siena's age. She wondered whether she was as caring as Siena.At that thought, the smile on her face faded a little."Mommy, look! There are two birds!" Siena sudd