chapter37
“Auntie, are you really my mother’s friend? How is my mom
doing now? Is she alright in prison? I miss her so much…”
At the mention of her mother, a glimmer of tears appeared in
Lina’s clear eyes.
She seemed to know about her mother’s imprisonment.
This was something Romina had not expected.
It turned out that Lina knew even more than she had imagined.
Before coming, Romina had been thinking about how to cover
for Savannah, since it was said that the child had not known
about the arrest at the time.
It must have been the child’s father who told her.
“Your mother is doing alright. She entrusted you to me, so from
now on, you’ll live with Auntie, okay? I will treat you as if you
were my own daughter…”
Romina was uncertain in her heart, unsure if the child would
be willing to go with her.
Still, she did her best to show sincerity and gratitude for her
benefactor.
Lina hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. “If you really
are my mom’s friend, then I’m willing to go with you. I’m not
doing well here anyway, they bully me all the time, and I don’t
want to stay here anymore.”
“Lina, don’t worry. I will go through the proper channels and
apply to Cade to take you with me.”
Romina reached out her fair hand and gently stroked the child’s
head, her brows filled with tenderness.
Lina’s gaze suddenly became evasive, as if she wanted to say
something but hesitated.
“Lina, is there something else you want to say to Auntie?”
“Um…” Lina lowered her eyelids, not daring to meet Romina’s
eyes, and stammered, “If I make a mistake in the future, will
Auntie hit me?”
Hearing this, Romina felt a wave of bitterness in her heart.
Although it was her first meeting with the child today, from
Lina’s reaction, it was clear she had suffered much harsh
chapter37
treatment from her father and those around her.
Poor child.
It couldn’t help but remind her of herself.
When you are weak, no one will look at you with respect.
Some might even spit on you, insult you, or even beat and kick
you.
These were not things she had only experienced in prison.
Romina instinctively reached out and pulled the child into her
arms. “Auntie will never hit you. Don’t be afraid.”
“Alright, as long as you don’t hit me and give me something to
eat, I’m willing to go with you.”
Lina’s voice was especially firm.
Romina took the child’s hand and led her toward Cade’s office.
After explaining the situation to Cade in detail, she proceeded
to handle the adoption procedures.
Since Romina was a friend of the child’s mother and had
brought all the necessary documents, the adoption process was
not complicated. Everything was settled within just one
afternoon.
Cade specifically arranged for someone to help Lina wash up
and change into new clothes, and personally escorted the child
out.
“Ms. Sandoval, this child is very well-behaved and easy to care
for. I hope you two will get along peacefully in the future.”
“We will, thank you.”
As Romina left the orphanage holding the child’s hand, she
made a point to look around.
Only after confirming there were no spies did she bring the
child to the car.
The next evening.
Elliana came to the house to welcome Lina.
Romina personally prepared dinner for them. Not knowing
what the child liked to eat, she made some of the dishes
Kashton used to enjoy.
After all, children usually have similar tastes.
After dinner, they all sat on the sofa chatting, the atmosphere
warm and harmonious.
Lina was a bit shy and slightly withdrawn, not fond of talking.
But with their gentle guidance, things gradually began to
improve.
After coaxing Lina to sleep, Romina and Elliana sat on the
balcony, enjoying a drink together.
The summer evening breeze swept by, lifting the strands of
hair at Romina’s temples.
When Elliana took out her phone, a message popped up on the
screen.
After reading the message, she suddenly froze.
“Sir Bowman is in the hospital? Did you know about this?”
At these words, Romina’s brows furrowed instantly.
She truly hadn’t heard about it.
Elliana quickly handed over her phone, and Romina lowered
her eyes to take a look.
Since last night, Hayden had suddenly experienced chest
tightness. After being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, his condition was temporarily stabilized, but he was
still hospitalized as of today.
Such a major event, and yet not a single person in the Bowman
family had told her.
It was understandable that Joaquin hadn’t said anything.
After all, their relationship wasn’t close enough for him to
inform her.
But Jericho and Lenora hadn’t told her either.
