Chapter 1 - Little girl of his memory

Liliana Green looked at her little girl running to a toy showroom. She had only loosened the grip as she had to pick up a call.

Six years old Joyanna Green had taken advantage of her mother’s relaxed hold and ran ahead. She had to buy toys for her twin brother, who was too sick to come to the shopping mall.

But before she reached the store, she ran into a pair of long legs.

A stern, good-looking man picked her up, and his eyes widened seeing her. He poked her face and asked, “Who are you?”

Jonathan Smith looked at the little girl in front of him in shock. She looked exactly like the girl in his memory.

Before the little girl could reply, the woman beside him, Vivian Stone, grabbed her arm and separated her from him.

Joyanna cried in pain, “Ouch, that hurt.”

He wanted to stop Vivian, but before he could respond, an alarmed voice came.

Liliana cried, “Jo!”

She had been stunned seeing the man her daughter had run into, even more so seeing the woman holding his arms.

But she was brought back from her reverie when Jo exclaimed.

“Let go of her.” Liliana held her daughter and said frostily, “She is a child. You don’t need to pinch her arm. Let go of her. NOW!”

Vivian Stone looked at Liliana, the one person in the world that she hated beyond anything. Even after all these years, she recognized her right away.

She had become more beautiful and authoritative. Vivian could not help but grit her teeth as she involuntarily pinched the little girl harder.

“Ahh!” Joyanna cried.

Jonathan snapped out of his trance and held Vivian’s wrist tight, forcing her to release the child.

“She is a child.” He roared at her. ‘How dare you hurt her?’ He said in his mind. He knew he had no right to speak on the little girl's behalf.

Vivian did not know how to reply.

“Mom!” Joyanna cried as she snuggled in Liliana’s arms.

“Let me see, honey.” Liliana coaxed her gently.

She saw the red bruise on her arm and glared at Vivian.

She kissed the bruises and kissed her daughter’s face.

“It does not hurt anymore, Mom,” Jo said timidly.

“What did I tell you about running around and watching the way ahead?” Liliana asked.

Joyanna instantly changed her tune, “Mommy, it hurts so much.” She blinked her doe eyes and showed all her teeth in a smile.

“We’ll apply ointment when we go home. And no more running around.” Liliana could only shake her head and pinch her daughter’s nose at her cheekiness.

“I am sorry, Mommy. I won’t run anymore. I will hold your hand and listen to you.” Joyanna said instantly.

“That’s my girl.” Liliana hugged her and turned around to gather the things she had dropped.

Vivian looked at them with venom in her eyes. She was even more irritated seeing Jonathan looking at them with longing in his eyes.

Unable to control herself, she pretended to tumble forward and ‘accidentally’ pushed Liliana.

Liliana managed to get her footing, but Joyanna jumped at her rescue and fell towards the escalator.