Chapter 8
Five years later.
In the school’s art hall, a ten–year–old boy was playing the violin. The music was melodious and captivating, and the child’s performance was poised and confident.[]
When the performance ended, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.]
I waited below the stage with a bouquet of flowers, and a small figure came running toward me.[]
“Mommy!”
River’s face was bright with excitement as he held up his medal to show me.[]
Look at my medal!”
Look
“That’s amazing.”
My eyes swept over the gleaming gold medal, my smile gentle.[]
“Uncle Nick has prepared that gift you’ve been looking forward to. He said you’d definitely win first place in this violin competition.“[]
River jumped up and down with joy. “Uncle Nick is the best!“]]
Hand in hand, we followed the crowd out of the hall.]
Not far away, a figure stood against the flow of people.
The blinding sunlight made it difficult to see clearly who it was.]
For some reason, my heart began to race, and I instinctively wanted to avoid that person.
“Aurora.”
The voice carried from a distance.
I immediately realized who it was and turned to leave with River, but after just a few steps, a hand gripped my shoulder.[]
Turning around, I faced a cold expression.[]
After several years, Zane had completely shed any trace of youthfulness, his more mature face showing a bit anger.[]
“Still trying to run away?“]
I freed myself from his grip without emotion, instinctively shielding River.[]
“Let go. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”
“Nothing to do with each other?” Zane’s eyes were bloodshot, his tone sarcastic.[]
“You signed the divorce papers, took our child, and disappeared without a word. I searched for so long, thinking you’d gone overseas. If I hadn’t accidentally seen River’s photo showing you were still in US, I would’ve kept stupidly looking for you around the world!”[]
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Hearing this, my heart remained unmoved.]
I thought you were living the life you wanted, getting your wish.”
Zane closed his eyes, his voice hoarse with a slight tremor. “Why do you never believe me?”
“Zane, you keep telling me to trust you, but have you ever considered what reason I have to trust you?“]
“Should I trust that you repeatedly abandoned River and me to accompany them because you were helping them adjust to life?”
“Should I trust that your constant indulgence and favoritism toward Scarlett wasn’t because of your past feelings?“]
“Or should I trust that Vivienne isn’t your child?“]
Zane stood motionless, tears sliding down his face, his eyes full of defeat.[]
“I… I did have my reasons, but Vivienne truly isn’t my child. The reason I adopted her was because Scarlett suffered from a severe mental illness. I’ve already sent her to a sanatorium.“[]
“You’re so CONSIDERATE of others.” And how ironic.]
“Zane, stop shedding those fake tears in front of me.“[]
“You keep saying I don’t trust you, but when have you ever trusted me? I don’t care what reasons you had–if you couldn’t tell me, only proves we weren’t meant to be together!”
on!”
“When River was in danger, you couldn’t be by his side. So please, stay away from us from now on!
With that, I turned to leave, but Zane forcefully grabbed my hand, his expression desperate.[]
“Aurora, I didn’t know River’s condition was so serious back then.“[]
it
“I admit, I didn’t tell you that Scarlett came back to blackmail me into marrying her. She had the Sung family’s last wishes, and if she revealed them, my family would have likely forced me to marry her.”
“I thought she just wanted support here, which is why I kept stepping in–just to appease her. I lengths to try to marry me.”
Zane’s grip loosened, his hand slowly sliding down my arm to hold my hand.
neve
expected her to go to such
He pleaded in a low voice, “Aurora, it was my fault. Could you… give me another chance? From now on, I won’t keep anything from you. You’ll always come first…”
Before he could finish, a pair of hands forcefully pushed him away.[]
“Get your filthy hands off her!“]
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