Chapter 3

If there was anyone in Asterville that Celine couldn't bear to leave behind, it was the director of the orphanage.

Serena Loftie was a woman whose hair had gone half gray, but her warmth and kindness never dimmed. When Celine told her about the divorce, Serena didn't ask questions. She simply took Celine's hand and offered quiet comfort.

"You've made your decision, so walk forward with confidence. Don't look back."

Celine nodded. For the first time since making her choice, the weight on her chest lifted slightly.

She'd already received her liver transplant. She had the healthy body she'd once only dreamed of. What she was giving up now were just superficial things.

She was smart and capable. She could build a good life for herself in a new city.

"Oh, Ellie was asking about you the other day. That child really adores you. Are you still planning to…" Serena hesitated.

"Adopt her?"

Ellie Jabbs was a little girl Celine had met at the orphanage a year ago. She was small and timid, with a heartbreaking story.

Her father had died in a construction accident. When her mother went to demand justice, she was shoved during an argument, fell, and died from a brain hemorrhage.

Celine's heart had ached for Ellie. She'd decided to adopt her and brought it up with Steven. He'd agreed without much hesitation when she mentioned adopting a daughter.

But when it came time to file the paperwork, Steven was always too busy and tied up with something else. The process dragged on and on until Celine grew tired of chasing him down. Eventually, the whole thing fizzled out.

As if he'd really been too busy to spare a few hours for trips to the courthouse. His time just belonged to Quinn now.

After chatting with Serena for a while, Celine felt lighter. On her way home, she passed by the mall and caught sight of Zane through the glass storefront, laughing and playing with Quinn in the sandbox arena.

Steven was there, too. The man who was always so particular about cleanliness around her didn't seem to care one bit about the sand and dirt now. He crouched beside Quinn, shielding her protectively in case any of the other kids accidentally bumped into her.

Celine's thoughts drifted.

Right after Zane was born, she and Steven had shared moments like this. Back then, she'd been a brand-new mother, terrified of doing something wrong. The physical discomfort from giving birth left her anxious and sleepless.

Steven had been patient with her then. He'd soothed the baby while reassuring her that no matter what she did, she was Zane's mother. He'd told her he believed in her.

"Congratulations to Zane for winning first place! You're so amazing! Can you tell us what made you so good at this?"

The host's voice crackled through the microphone, snapping Celine back to the present.

She watched Zane grip the mic, his eyes bright as he looked down at Steven and Quinn standing side by side below the stage.

Without a moment's hesitation, he spoke with pride ringing in his voice, "Because my mom and dad are amazing, so I'm amazing, too!"

He called Quinn his mother.

A laugh escaped Celine's throat. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

Thank God she'd already decided to let Zane go. Otherwise, hearing those words right now would have shattered her.

Celine took a deep breath. The decision to walk away felt wiser and more correct with every passing second.

The host gushed about what a polite, well-mannered child Zane was before turning her attention to the couple below. She commented on how handsome Steven was, how beautiful Quinn was, and what a perfect match they made.

"So, Zane, do you think you can win the next round, too?"

Zane nodded enthusiastically.

Celine had seen enough. She turned to leave.

"Celine?" Quinn's confused voice drifted over.

Celine tried to pretend she hadn't heard, but Quinn called out louder. "Celine! You're here! Perfect timing. Zane still has one more game left. Why don't you take over for me?"

Before Celine could say a word, Quinn had already grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.