chapter36
Before she could finish her sentence, Joaquin interrupted her
directly. “If you can’t hold your liquor, you shouldn’t drink. You
should be grateful that the person who shared a room with you
last night was me.”
The implication was that if it had been another man, she might
not have been so lucky.
Whether it was Jericho or anyone else.
Romina’s lips curled into a slight smile, but there was a hint of
bitterness in it. “Jericho and I have long been married in name
only. Even if we really shared a room, he wouldn’t do anything
to me.”
“The reason you think that is because you don’t understand
men well enough.”
After hearing what he said, Romina’s body involuntarily
stiffened.
When she turned her head and met his gloomy gaze, a chill ran
through her.
She didn’t say anything more, just smiled and then lowered her
head.
She might not understand men, but she knew Jericho well
enough.
His heart was filled only with his unforgettable love; there was
no room for her at all. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have ended up
like this.
Romina didn’t let Joaquin drive her to the entrance of Breeze
Vista, but got out of the car nearby instead.
Because she had just gotten out of prison, and after what
happened at the orphanage, she suspected that Jericho had sent
someone to follow her. So she guessed there might be Jericho’s
spies near Breeze Vista as well.
Perhaps because of her time in prison, she had become even
more cautious after getting out.
She would no longer let herself be easily caught out.
When Romina got home, she received a call from Elliana.
She had just put the phone to her ear when Elliana’s anxious
voice came through. “Romi, we’ve found the whereabouts of
the child.”
Romina’s hand holding the cup trembled instantly.
She asked in disbelief, “Where is the child?”
“In a very remote orphanage, close to the outskirts, about thirty
kilometers from here. I’ll send you the address right away.
You’d better bring all the documents with you, and if possible,
take the child away today!”
“Okay.””
After Romina hung up, a location popped up on WhatsApp.
There was also the phone number of the director, Cade
Ferguson.
Before going to the orphanage, Romina called Cade to ask about
the child’s basic situation.
After confirming that the child was indeed there, she quickly
gathered the documents, hurried downstairs, and took a taxi to
the orphanage.
By the time she arrived at the orphanage, it was already close to
eleven o’clock.
Seeing that she was a stranger, the security guard stopped her
immediately. “Ma’am, what are you here for? Do you have an
appointment?”
This orphanage was managed even more strictly than the ones
she had visited before.
Romina showed the security guard her recent call with Cade
and accurately stated the child’s name.
After checking with Cade, the security guard finally let her in.
Romina had thought that with such strict management, the
orphanage must also provide good education for the children.
But as soon as she walked in, she saw some children bullying
Lina.
Romina had just stepped onto the stairs when she heard a
child’s cries from above. “Stop hitting me! If you keep hitting
me, I’ll tell Cade…”
“I’ll let you tell Cade! I’ll let you tell Cade!”
“Ah! It hurts…”
Romina rushed up and saw several older girls bullying a much
younger girl.
There were no adults nearby, so the older girls were even more
brazen, kicking and punching the little girl.
The little girl was wearing a pink dress and had two braids, but
both her dress and her body were covered in dirty mud.
She kept her face tightly covered with her hands, burying it in
her knees.
So at first, Romina couldn’t see the child’s face clearly.
“Stop it right now! What are you doing?”
Romina rushed over and pulled the older children away.
Seeing an adult arrive, the children didn’t dare to act out
anymore and quickly ran off.
Perhaps hearing her voice, the little girl immediately looked up.
When she saw the child’s face, Romina was instantly stunned.
Wasn’t this Lina?
When she was in prison, Savannah had shown her a photo of
Lina. The child was very beautiful, so she remembered her
Seeing a face almost identical to Savannah’s, Romina
immediately recognized her.
“Lina? You’re Lina, aren’t you?”
The little girl in front of her, seeing Romina’s gentle expression,
had all the tension and worry in her eyes instantly replaced by
confusion.
She asked Romina in a childish voice, “Auntie, who are you?
How do you know me?”
“Auntie is your mother’s friend. I came today because I want to
take you away from here. Would you like to come with me?”
