Chapter 201
Chapter 201
Chapter 201
What am I looking forward to? A sliver of hope? Yes, I am secretly hoping that a story from the telenovela could unfold in my life, that I could mother the two kids again! I yearn for my heart to beat again.
"Nick, I live for the kids."
"I told you that I have nothing to do with it." Since Nicholas had denied his participation, I knew I could not force anything out of his mouth. I hung up and sent a simple text to Christopher instead. 'I suspect that Nick has taken my two kids. Can you find out his whereabouts?'
He replied in no time, 'He's in America.'
I responded, 'He will definitely lie. If you can get hold of him… The Xenoses have connections in America. I plan to get him hypnotized. That's the only way to get him talking.'
He became doubtful. 'Nick's condition is unstable now. If you hypnotize him, his condition might worsen.'
That caught me speechless, for my plan was built on assumptions and miracles from the very beginning.
I left the conversation hanging, but he soon sent another text. 'Don't fret about it. I will look into this incident for you.'
As such, I felt a rush of gratitude. 'Thank you.'
Then, I wasted no time texting Anthony. 'Search for Nick while you're looking for the doctor. When you find Nick, follow him around. Once we collect enough evidence, let's get him hypnotized and reveal where the kids are.'
It was only after sending out the text that I realized I had concluded on my own that the kids were with him.
Well, I had to cling to that confidence because it was my last ray of hope, even though I was making a blind guess.
I stowed my phone away and lay on the bed, all the while replaying Anthony's words in my head. The more I ruminated, the happier I felt.
When the sleepless night gave way to a new day, I got up early to prepare breakfast for Olivia.
After she saw the spread, she smiled and asked, "What puts you in such a good mood?"
I poured her a cup of hot milk. "I'm not too sure. It feels like there is hope in life, and I am not as dispirited as before."
Secretly, I even wished that the Xenoses would not get to the end of the investigation too soon. If it turned out to be a disappointing conclusion, my heart might not take it.
She cocked her head and praised me, "Renee, you look like an enchanting fairy when you smile."
I laughed and retorted, "You're a sweet talker!"
She took a bite of the sandwich and suggested to me, "The rain seems to have stopped. Do you want to go shopping with me?"
"When are you heading back to Goldshore?" I asked.
"In a few days' time perhaps. I have some errands to run in Eldham."
I was reminded of the doctor's woeful remarks last night. After some hesitation, I proceeded with caution. "How's you and Doc?"
She answered, "We are alright. He wanted me to meet his parents by the end of the year, but I am a little scared by the thought of that."
I was confused. "Why?"
"I'm scared of getting married, or should I say I am fearful of the idea of marriage."
Compared to Olivia, I was a veteran in this area because I had a three-year marriage before, even though it was doomed. I patiently questioned her, "What aspect of marriage is it that you fear?"
She appeared reluctant to discuss the topic further as she munched on the sandwich. Then, she dragged me back to my bedroom and urged me, "Renee, get changed! Let's go shopping. Lend me one of your outfits." She picked a white dress for herself. When we were changing, she noticed the tattoo on my belly and gasped at it. "How lovely! Renee, do you want to wear a tank top?"
Olivia went ahead and picked out a black tank top as well as a pair of light-washed jeans for me. I buckled the belt that was a gift from May and put on a platinum bangle along with a couple of rings. Not only that, I paired it with a long necklace.
As my hair was too long, Olivia worked through it by making a few small braids at the side of my head before tying up a ponytail. She even added a few pink and blue ribbons to my hair for a cool look.
I chuckled. "This makes me look way below my age!"
"You're young anyway."
Then, she suggested smoky makeup for me, which I refused with a laugh. Instead, I put on some brown eyeshadow, paired with a light pink lip color for a youthful look.
It had been ages since I dressed up like this.
After I was ready, Olivia put on some intense smoky makeup, took the white dress off, and put on a black camisole instead. Smiling, she said cheekily, "We look like sisters now."
I had a feeling that she was trying to cheer me up, and that her trip to Eldham was mainly to keep me company.
We shopped at the mall until we dropped. Finally, an exhausted Olivia gave up and suggested going for a tattoo instead. She insisted on getting a similar tattoo to mine, but she wanted some pink flowers for the pattern instead.
I smiled. "There are pink roses." Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
At last, she chose to have the tattoo on her shoulder instead of her abdomen. The branch of her tattooed rose curled up into what looked like the letter M.
After getting the tattoo, she received a call from the doctor, after which she answered, "Hey, Doc, what's the matter?"
"When are you coming home to Goldshore?"
Curious, Olivia questioned, "Why?"
"Don't you miss me at all?"
Seated beside her, I overheard their conversation loud and clear. I also observed her pause after he asked the question.
She smiled and assured him, "I will be back tonight to Goldshore."
"Shall I pick you up?"
"Aren't you on night shift?"
"Yeah. I can switch with Joe, though."
…
Soon, Olivia gave me an apologetic look after the call. "Renee, I'm sorry! Doc misses me, so I have to get back to Goldshore." Her tone was dripping with honey, which she might not have noticed.
I smiled and patted her shoulder. "I wish you love."
Later, I decided to send her to the airport. When we entered the boarding hall, I found Kevin there as well. When he saw me, he paused in shock before asking, "Why are you here? Are you going after Shawn?"
I was about to ask him if Shawn was here when I heard an icy voice from the entrance. "Ray, where are you going?"
Since yesterday, he had been taking the initiative to talk to me.
I froze up and ignored him before taking a seat beside Olivia. That did not bother him, though, as he went over to sit by Kevin, who then passed him a document.
While he was perusing the document, I looked away and rested my head on Olivia's shoulder. Soon, it was her time to board, so I walked her to the boarding entrance. After she left, I exited the airport.
Standing at the airport entrance, a wave of frustration washed over me. This was because I ran into Shawn. For some reason, I was unwilling to see him.
Perhaps, I was bothered by the fact that I miscarried. More than the feeling of disappointment, I carried a heavy feeling of guilt.
A sigh escaped from my mouth. Suddenly, a man approached me and attempted to pick me up. "Miss,
are you alone?"
I looked to the side and found a young and handsome guy staring at me. Smiling, I asked, "Why?"
"Can I have your number?"
When I was about to turn him down, I felt an arm around my shoulder, and my nose instantly detected a familiar scent. Following that, I heard the familiar man declaring his possession of me in a low and warning voice, "