Chapter 8
“It’s no use. With her condition… Ms. Johnston, you should go see her. It might be the last time.”
For a moment, I felt dizzy.
I could hardly hear anything, and my head was throbbing.
“Quiana, pull yourself together!”
I could barely hear Shaun calling me. I forced myself to lean onto the wall for support and walked to my mother’s hospital room.
She was still sleeping.
“Mom, wake up.”
I gently touched her cheek.
My mom and I had escaped from the mountains.
She was a college student who had been kidnapped. However, she could not have her own children.
They mistreated her and threatened her life.
When I was just a baby, I was taken away and given to her to raise as her own.
Years later, she risked everything to escape with me.
She knew I was taken from Soriah, so she brought me back here.
When I was young, we did not have enough money for food, but she always gave me her share.
When I could not afford school, she sold everything she had to pay for my tuition.
I always knew I was not her biological daughter.
I once asked her why she treated me so well despite it.
She just smiled and gently touched my face, just like I was doing at this moment.
“After I escaped, I wanted to find my mom, but she had taken her own life because she couldn’t handle my disappearance. I don’t want your mom to go through that I’ll help you find your real mom.”
She searched for years and finally found my mom, only to learn that my mom did not want me back.
So, she decided to stay with me.
Then, she got sick.
I snapped back to reality and held her hand tightly.
But this time, there was no miracle.
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Chapter 8
I planned to take my mother’s ashes to Jorath.
Before I left, Reina came up to me with Shaun supporting her.
She was crying.
“I heard everything from Shaun.
“At first, I wanted to take you back, but Stella made me think you were a bad person.
“I didn’t want the Johnston family to be embarrassed because of you, so I neglected you.
“Now, I know the truth. It’s my fault! I misjudged people and trusted the wrong ones.
“Quiana, I’m sorry. I kicked her out, so please don’t go. Come back to me!”
It was at this moment that I realized Reina’s indifference over the years was because Stella had played the
victim and lied about me.
Because of Stella’s lies, Reina turned her back on her own daughter.
“Honestly, do you think you deserve to be my mom?”
Reina felt ashamed. She wiped her tears and did not know what to say.
Determined, I got into the car.
Before the door closed, Shaun said in a trembling voice, “Quiana, I can’t lose you again.‘
I turned away and left without looking back.
I had two new neighbors in Jorath.
They were a pair of father and son.
The other neighbors said that the father was respectable and seemed rich.
His son was smart and adorable. After moving to Jorath Elementary, he got first place on the entrance exam.
“The father and son are here in Jorath to find someone.”
“Find someone? Is it the child’s mom?”
“Yes. The father looks really sad. He must have lost someone important.”
“Maybe they moved to our street because the child’s mom is near here?“”
“Ms. Johnston, you’re home,” Charles said with a big smile as he placed a cake on my table.
“Ms. Johnston, it’s your birthday! I came to celebrate with you.”
“Mr. Jacob, you’re too nice. I made some food too. Let’s eat in the yard.”
I took Charles to the yard, where Dobby was playing with a ball of yarn, and many kindergarten kids were
around.
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Chapter 8
I noticed a father and son pair standing at the door.
Jaxon was holding a big cake, and his eyes were red from crying.
Shaun stood quietly with his fists clenched.
I pretended not to see them.
“Ms. Johnston, happy birthday!”
The kindergarten kids cheered and filled the yard with laughter and joy.
Charles told me to blow out the candles.
I felt happier than I ever had before.
“Thank you, everyone. This is my first birthday celebration.
“I wish for all the kids in this kindergarten to have happy, loving families!”
Charles looked at me affectionately and clapped.
With all the laughter, I felt a joy I had never felt before.
I knew I would find my own happiness here in the future
