Chapter 17
Aiden had promised to help me keep my child by my side. He told me that the child was now in a safe place and that he would find an opportunity to bring me to see the child,
I had no idea how Aiden pulled it off, but the fact that my child was alive was all that mattered. That thought alone filled me with a mix of relief and overwhelming joy.
The Madden family wielded enormous power and influence. With Quinn Madden now running the Madden Group, news of his child’s supposed death spread quickly through the family Calls poured in–empty gestures of sympathy laced with thinly veiled glee.
Alex was visibly devastated. He locked himself away in the old mansion for three days, refusing to see anyone. On the third day, he ordered the child’s burial,
On the day of the funeral, the sky wept in a steady drizzle.
Following Aiden’s instructions, I played my part to perfection, careful to maintain the charade.
Standing silently in front of the child’s gravestone, lost in thought, I was jolted back to reality by a sharp, mocking voice. “Well, well. Your son’s dead, and you can’t even shed a tear? You really are something else.”
The voice belonged to Georgia, Alex’s youngest daughter.
Georgia had always been peculiar. Well into her fifties, she was still unmarried and childless, maintaining a strained relationship with the family. Years ago, when Alex handed the reins of Madden Group to Quinn, Georgia had thrown an unforgettable tantrum.
Maybe now, seeing my child’s tragic death, she felt vindicated. Her mocking remarks certainly suggested as much.
I glanced at her, keeping my tone calm and steady. “Georgia, since you’ve never had children, you wouldn’t understand the depth of grief that comes when the heart shatters completely.
Her face instantly twisted in rage, turning pale, then red. “How dare you talk to me like that, you disrespectful brat!”
A deep male voice cut through her tirade. “Georgia, do you even act like an elder?” It was Joseph Madden, Alex’s eldest son, standing nearby. His tone was low and reprimanding. “If you’re trying to piss off Dad on a day like this, go right ahead.” Georgia narrowed her eyes and shot us a venomous glare before storming off without another word.
“Hello, Mr. Madden,” I greeted him politely, trying to mask my inner turmoil.
He nodded briefly, exchanged a few pleasantries, then cut to the chase. “Where’s Quinn?”
1 shook my head, my chest tightening. I hadn’t seen him since I arrived. Perhaps he wasn’t planning to come at all.
I forced a bitter smile, covering for him as best I could. “Since… since the baby’s passing. Quinn hasn’t been eating or sleeping well. He’s been weak
Joseph didn’t believe me–his eyes said as much–but he didn’t press further.
The burial ceremony soon ended. Alex stood by the gravestone, Jetting out a long, weary sigh.
Joseph was by his side, dutifully attentive, playing the role of the perfect son.
And Quinn never showed up.
After today, it was clear that peace would be a foreign concept for the Madden family.
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Chapter 17
But I didn’t have
the a
energy to care about their family dramas. My thoughts were consumed by my son.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, I gathered myself and hurried to the roadside.
Aiden’s car was already waiting. The window rolled down, and he gave me a warm smile. “Natalia, hop in.”
I quickly sat in the passenger seat, urging Aiden to drive. I couldn’t wait to see
my son.
As the car pulled away, I glanced out the window. For a brief moment, I thought I saw someone standing near the gravestone, tall and motionless in the pouring rain.
He wasn’t holding an umbrella, just standing tall in the rain next to the gravestone.
My heart clenched. Was it Quinn?
But before I could get a better look, the car turned, and the cemetery disappeared from view, I told myself it was just my imagination
“Natalia, you okay?” Aiden’s voice broke through my thoughts, concern etched on his face.
Tm fine.” I said, turning away from the window. After a pause, Irsitated, then asked quietly, “Aiden, you never told me how you managed it. And… about the baby…
A pang of worry twisted in my chest. Where had Alden found a deceased baby convincing enough to fool evezione, even the hospital?
“Relax, Aiden said softly, a faint smile on his lips. “I didn’t do anything immoral. He glanced at me, then added, “Do you
remember Rose Brandt?”
“Of course,” I replied, curious. “Why are you bringing her up now?”
Rose was Aiden’s childhood friend, and their families were old acquaintances. Growing up, she’d often come over to the Stuarts‘ house for meals. I remembered her as a kind, graceful woman.
“She and I ended up in the same medical school while studying abroad,” Aiden explained. “After returning, she took over her family’s sanatorium business”
He continued, his tone tinged with helplessness. “Not long ago, Rose came across a young woman about to give birth prematurely near the sanatorium. The baby was in critical condition–organ failure–and the doctors said he wouldn’t survive the month.
“The woman, scared and clearly unmarried, abandoned the child and ran off.”
Rose, moved by the child’s plight, brought him back to the sanatorium. When Aiden found out, he spent weeks meticulously planning, eventually switching the sick baby with my son at the hospital.
To avoid suspicion, I had to keep it a secret from everyone, even you, Aiden admitted.
He sighed deeply, his voice softening. “Part of me hoped the Madden family’s team of experts could save the child. If they had, it would’ve been a good deed, at least.
A heavy ache settled in my chest. Since becoming a mother. I’d developed a deep empathy for children, unable to bear their suffering
Lowering my gaze, I murmured, “I hope he finds peace in his next life
At the sanatorium, I finally saw my son. He was lying in a crib, wide, dark eyes staring up at me with innocent curiosity.
“Baby, Mommy’s never leaving you again,” I whispered, my hand trembling as I gently touched his soft cheek.
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Chapter 17
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His warmth, his softness–it all felt so real, and I couldn’t stop the tears streaming down my face.
“He’s adorable,” Rose said, smiling warmly. “His fair skin looks like yours, but his features… they’re all Quinn.
I froze, unsure how to respond, until Aiden coughed awkwardly to break the tension.
Realizing her mistake, Rose quickly apologized. I’m sorry… I didn’t mean-”
She must’ve known, through Aiden, that I was planning to divorce Quinn.
白米55%
“Rose.” I said, brushing off the comment with a faint smile. “I honestly don’t know how to thank you. Without you and Aiden. I don’t think I would’ve ever been reunited with my son.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” Rose replied gently. “Aiden treats you like a sister, and so do 1. Her gaze lingered on Aiden, soft and filled with emotion.
Aiden smiled at me, nodding in agreement.
I’d always known Rose liked Aiden. Even as a child, I thought they were a perfect match. Their families had tried to bring them together, but Rose was too reserved, and Aiden… well, he was clueless,
After a moment, I gathered my courage and said, “Rose, I need to ask for your help again. Can you take care of my son a little longer?
I had nowhere else to turn. Until my divorce with Quinn was finalized. I couldn’t keep my child with me.
“Of course, Rose agreed without hesitation. Then she smiled and asked, “By the way, have you thought of a name for him
yet?”
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