Chapter 6 - Trying to Find

The cellphone rang again. Instead of answering the call, Caroline rejected it and immediately turned off the phone. She was beyond annoyed, especially when she remembered how the man had abandoned her after his first love came back. And now, he had the audacity to apologize.

"I can't be afraid. Clayton is mine. Didn't he ask me to abort my pregnancy? That means he had no right to Clayton even before this child was born. I have to be brave and face this," she thought.

Caroline hugged Clayton tightly and then closed her eyes. She needed rest because tomorrow, she would take Clayton to register for school. To hell with Dillbert—she didn't care about him anymore.

***

Caroline woke up early the next morning. She took a shower and prepared breakfast for Clayton. To her, Clayton had always been an easy child, calm and understanding. Even while in the womb, he had never caused her much trouble. It was as if he understood the struggles his mother faced while raising him alone.

"Mommy..."

Clayton’s tiny arms wrapped around Caroline’s legs as she cooked. Smiling, she quickly turned off the stove and picked him up.

"My little one is awake. Today, we’re going to register for school, okay?"

Clayton nodded excitedly, his joyful shouts filling the room. The sight made Caroline emotional. Moments like these always warmed her heart. Her son’s happiness didn’t depend on expensive or luxurious things—something she couldn’t afford to give him anyway—but on the simple joys they shared together.

"What a wonderful child. But first, Mommy needs to have breakfast," she said warmly.

Caroline carried Clayton to the sink and helped him wash his hands and face. After breakfast, she bathed him, dressed him in his best clothes, and gently patted his chest.

"Clayton," she said softly, "when you grow up, don’t forget about Mom. And remember, never hurt other people’s feelings, especially women’s."

Clayton nodded, as if he truly understood her words.

Caroline watched him with a mix of pride and hope. She always gave him gentle advice, dreaming that Clayton would grow up to be a kind man—one who wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of his father.

"Mom, what will Clayton do on his first day of school?"

"Study, of course," Caroline replied.

"That's all?" he asked impatiently.

"Hmm, what else, huh?" Caroline tapped her index finger on her cheek, pretending to think.

"What is it, Mom?" Clayton asked, growing more agitated. His chubby cheeks flushed a rosy red. Among all of Clayton's features, only his smooth, fair skin had been inherited from Caroline.

"What?" Caroline asked back, teasing him and testing his patience.

"Playing, right?" Clayton shouted excitedly.

Caroline nodded, smiling. For some reason, his cheerful laughter gave her all the motivation she needed in life.

"Now, we’re going to Grandma's house. We'll go to school with Grandma," she said warmly.

Mrs. Marly turned off the engine as soon as she parked the car neatly in the elite school.

"Madam, isn’t this a bit extravagant for Clayton?" Caroline asked timidly. She couldn’t help feeling uneasy, knowing she couldn’t afford to send her child to such an elite school.

"Caroline, Clayton is our grandson too," Mrs. Marly said gently.

Her words immediately brought tears to Caroline’s eyes. She looked down, deeply moved by the kindness of Mrs. Marly and her husband. Their love for Clayton was as strong as if he were their biological grandson.

"Come on, Grandma! Clayton wants to go in!" Clayton whined, unable to contain his excitement.

Mrs. Marly got out of the car and opened the door for him. Clayton leaped out joyfully.

"Be careful, darling. Don’t jump like that—you might fall," Caroline cautioned.

Clayton instantly composed himself, putting on a serious expression and walking with determined steps, which made Caroline shake her head in amusement.

While Mrs. Marly and Caroline headed to the administration office, Clayton was guided by a school official to explore his new school.

Caroline was quite shocked when she saw the administration fees and monthly tuition that Mrs. Marly had paid for Clayton. However, because Mrs. Marly was so insistent, Caroline couldn’t refuse her generosity.

From a distance, Caroline watched Clayton running around the playground. The school’s education system emphasized outdoor activities, encouraging children to learn directly from nature.

"Aren’t you going to work, Caroline?" Mrs. Marly asked.

"I took the day off, Madam, especially for today so I could take Clayton to his first day of school. Tomorrow, I’ll be back at work." Caroline hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Madam, may I ask you for a favor?" she asked softly.

Caroline didn’t want to burden Mrs. Marly any further, but she had no one else to turn to for help.

"What kind of help, dear? I’ll gladly assist you as long as I can," Mrs. Marly replied warmly.

Caroline bit her lower lip, hesitant to share everything, but the situation left her with no other choice.

***

Mrs. Marly immediately covered her mouth after hearing Caroline's story. She wasn't surprised to learn that Clayton's father was a wealthy man. However, the heartbreaking story of Caroline being abandoned by him filled her with anger toward the man.

"I will fight for Clayton in the future if anyone tries to take him away," Mrs. Marly said firmly. "That man only wants what's easy and convenient for him," he added, growing in frustration.

"It's my fault too, Madam, for being so foolish," Caroline said quietly.

Mrs. Marly pulled her into a tight hug. She didn't blame Caroline. If Caroline had been a lesser person, she would have abortion Clayton the moment she learned her biological father didn't want him. Instead, Caroline chose to stay and didn't ask Dillbert for a single cent.

Mrs. Marly understood Caroline's struggles to raise Clayton and provide for him on her own. That's why she and her husband always stepped in to help—they admired Caroline's resilience and her unwavering love for her son.

***

At the company, Dillbert paced back and forth in front of his desk. He had been trying to contact Caroline, but her cellphone had been turned off since last night.

"Where is she? Has she disappeared again?" he murmured, sighing softly.

His heart raced uncontrollably. The thought of losing Caroline again terrified him. The past five years had been incredibly difficult for Dillbert. He had been depressed and chose to go abroad to continue his education. After returning, he never imagined he would cross paths with Caroline again, especially in such an unexpected place.

To him, this felt like fate—a second chance. Dillbert was determined not to waste this opportunity to win Caroline back.

He sat down in his chair and picked up the intercom to contact Celsy, his secretary.

"Good morning, sir," Celsy greeted.

"Morning. Please call the administration department and ask Caroline to come to my office. I need her help," he instructed.

"Yes, sir," Celsy replied, though she frowned in confusion. It was unusual for the CEO to request help from someone in administration rather than relying on her.

A few minutes later, Dillbert’s intercom rang. His expression darkened upon hearing the news that Caroline wasn’t coming to work today.

"So, you’re avoiding me. Don’t blame me if I come looking for you," he muttered to himself.

Dillbert rose from his chair and left his office. He headed for the elevator, pulled out his phone, and called his private driver. Without hesitation, he ordered the driver to take him to a specific destination.

***

"Is it far?" Dillbert asked his private driver.

"Not too far, sir."

"Faster!" he ordered impatiently.

The 45-minute drive felt like an eternity to Dillbert. Finally, the car pulled up in front of Mrs. Marly's house. Seeing the luxurious home, Dillbert couldn't help but think that Caroline’s life must have improved significantly since he last saw her.

Dillbert stepped out of the car and rang the doorbell of the grand house. Moments later, the door opened, and a middle-aged man wearing a professional-looking jacket appeared.

"Sorry, who are you looking for?" the man asked politely.

"Caroline. I’m looking for Caroline. Is she home?" Dillbert asked, his tone urgent.

"Oh, Caroline? She went out to register her child for school," the man replied casually.

"A… child?" Dillbert stammered, his face a mix of shock and confusion. "Caroline has a child?"