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Chapter 2
“We found her, Mr. Howell. But.. Nathan’s bodyguards swarmed into the hospital lobby, escorting him as he walked into the emergency room. Inside, the bright glare of overhead lights and the closed curtain around the operating table added to the tense atmosphere. The sound of the flatlined electrocardiogram pierced the silence.
The accident occurred on National Highway. She died en route to the hospital, suffering severe internal injuries, with crushed organs and fractured ribs that punctured her heart. My condolences, Mr. Howell,” the doctor said solemnly. He added cautiously from behind Nathan, “Mr. Howell, I advise you not to look. The body is no longer identifiable.”
Before he could finish, Nathan yanked the curtain open with a loud swish.
The white cloth draping the body bore bloodstains. Nathan’s face fell as he swifily pulled back the cloth, his eyes losing focus when he saw the unrecognizable face beneath it. A limp hand hung by the bedside, blood dripping slowly. He reached for the hand, which already grew cold and stiff
A baby’s cry pierced the air. A nurse approached Nathan, cradling an infant in her arms. This is your baby, Mr. Howell. There were triplets, but we only managed to save this one…”
Nathan didn’t even flinch, and his gaze remained fixed on Cassidy’s lifeless body, as if he hadn’t heard a word.
Tearfully, the nurse pleaded, “Mr. Howell, please hold him. Ms. Jensen is gone… We performed an emergency C–section, and he was the only one we managed to save…
The baby cried his heart out. Nathan glanced at the tiny infant wrapped in a blanket. Smaller than a full–term baby because of his premature arrival, the fragile infant lay curled up in a fetal position. His skin was wrinkled, his face flushed from crying. Nathan couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the baby’s face.
Suddenly, the baby’s tiny hand grasped Nathan’s finger with unexpected strength. Almost instantly, the crying ceased, as if the touch brought solace to the child. Nathan tenderly held the infant, who bore a striking resemblance to him. In that instant, his heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces.
Five years had flown by since the accident. In the principal’s office at Starwish Kindergarten, Pablo Atkins sat at his desk, clearly bothered. He rubbed his temples, sensing a headache coming on as he looked at Felicia Moore on the couch, who exuded a condescending air.
“Starwish Kindergarten is supposed to be an elite school in Broburgh, but look at the kind of students you’ve accepted! These two kids are merely four years old, yet they’re already engaging in bullying behavior. Can you picture what they’ll become as adults? Why haven’t their parents shown up yet? Felicia snapped.
With heavy makeup on her face, she cradled a plump child with a band–aid on his forehead. “If the school doesn’t handle this properly, I’ll take this to the media! I won’t let my son be educated alongside these future delinquents! The more Felicia scolded, the smugger and more self–righteous she became.
The chubby boy in her arms was still sniffing. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. Mommy’s here. Who dares to bully my son?” she comforted him, glaring at the two children sitting across from her.
The handsome boy and adorable girl, dressed in the kindergarten uniform with round yellow hats, looked slightly alike. Both had delicate facial features, tanned skin, baby fat, and strikingly pretty eyes. Their micro–expressions and even the rhythm of their blinking were uncannily synchronized.
Just then, the door swung open and Cassidy walked in.
Pablo immediately stood up. “Ms. Saunders, you’re here.”
Cassidy nodded as a greeting. She had rushed over as soon as Pablo called during her meeting, informing her that her daughter had hit another child and that the other child’s parent was causing a scene.
Felicia, too, stood up. “Finally! I’d like to hear how she’ll settle this thing”
“Mommy!” Paisley, who had been sitting quietly, abruptly flung herself into Cassidy’s embrace, her eyes teary and red. She wrapped her arms around Cassidy’s shoulders and nuzzled into her neck, causing her hat to gently fall to the floor.
Cassidy picked Paisley up lovingly. “What happened, Paisley?”
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12:18 PM ·
Chapter 2
Felicia interrupted before Paisley could reply. “What happened? Your daughter teamed up with another kid to bully my son. Ist this how you raise your child? Look at my son’s face. Look at what she did to him!”
Cassidy ignored Felicia, turning to Pablo and the class teacher. Pablo awkwardly explained, “During nap time. Paisley scratched Carlson. Carlson pushed Paisley in response. Another child then stepped in to protect Paisley and ended up hitting Carlson, causing a cut on his forehead that required three stitches.
“Another child?” Cassidy followed Pablo’s gaze and saw a handsome boy.
The boy looked back at her. He had delicate facial features, pretty, clear eyes, and naturally thick curly eyelashes that fluttered. against his cheek. The name tag on his uniform read “Jayden Howell.”
Cassidy was momentarily stunned. Jayden bore a striking resemblance to Nathan, almost like a miniaturized replica of him. She couldn’t help but think, Is he…
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