Then, the manager personally led us in.
After passing through the corridor and arriving at the door to a luxurious private room, Freya stood by the side, making way for us.
I walked in while holding onto Hendrix's hand but when I saw the people inside, I was stunned.
The girl beside the table was in a school uniform with a ponytail. She had grown so tall that she reached the shoulders of the man who was next to her. Her eyes were bright and beautiful.
It was like Monique was standing there, smiling happily at me.
I felt so sad that my eyes instantly feared up. I let go of Hendrix's arm and slowly walked towards the familiar figure, "Monique?..."
"Mother..."
The young lady's voice was as clear as a spring breeze. I couldn't remember Monique's voice, because we've been separated for so long. It felt like I was hearing the voice of an old friend.
I slowed down as I fell deeper into a trance.
However, the person in front of me couldn't wait and ran towards me. Before I could react, she had already hugged me tightly in her warm arms.
"Mom, I've missed you so much!"
I then came back to my senses and realized that the person in front of me wasn't Monique, it was Anne.
She looked so much like Monique.
I hugged her back and let out a long sigh, trying to hold back my sobbing. Then I patted her on her back and whispered, "I'm glad you're safe..."
After sitting down, Anne told me Hendrix had arranged for their return. He had originally planned for them to return with the elders, but he had something else in mind, so they arrived ahead of schedule. He didn't tell me about this because it was a surprise.
Hendrix did surprise me.
I wanted to thank him, but Anne kept talking to me, "Mom, I feel like I'm the happiest girl in the whole world now. Mr. Clark said that you're sick, just like me so you had to go somewhere where no one could find you. Dad couldn't bear to see you leave so he got separated from us. I've been sad for such a long time but always believed that you would come back. I'm so glad that you're finally back. I knew that you wouldn't leave me and Aurelia."
Anne spoke just like she did when she was a child, she leaned her body close to me, just like a little girl.
I smiled and patted Anne's head. I had very mixed feelings in my heart as well.
Perhaps the best decision for everyone was to carefully protect this "truth" and let her live a happy life.
A white lie filled with love and care was one way to protect a child so that they could grow up.
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