Chapter 21

Tabitha's disappearance had been sudden. People at college only knew that her parents had arranged a leave of absence for her. Since then, she was never seen again.There was no way Tabitha could explain what had really happened to her, so she could only flash Victor an apologetic smile.He wasn't the kind to press for answers and understood everyone carried their own secrets. For him, just seeing her again four years later was enough.Then, they talked about Joyce. Tabitha also learned that Victor was now a doctor. His job was demanding, and he was often too busy to spend much time with her.He had tried hiring a nanny before, but the first one secretly abused Joyce behind his back. Since then, he no longer dared to leave her in anyone else's care. He had no choice but to rush back and forth between work and home.Despite her age, Joyce was unusually well-behaved. After school, she would wait alone by the swing until Victor came to pick her up. On weekends, she patiently stayed a

Chapter 22

In the mission world, another month had passed.Kieran's search still led nowhere. Everyone around him told him to give up. Even his grandfather, Arthur Lowe, who had long since retired, urged him to pull himself together.If Tabitha had truly made up her mind to leave, she naturally wouldn't leave any trace behind for him to follow. Now that the company was on the brink, Kieran needed to return and fight the battle.However, he refused. He was still certain he could find Tabitha.Arthur was both angry and helpless about his stubborn grandson. If Kieran had known things would end this miserably, why would he have betrayed her in the first place?Arthur couldn't just watch the company collapse, so he stepped in and seized control of the business. From that point on, Kieran devoted everything he had to searching for Tabitha.Meanwhile, David followed him everywhere. Any time there was even the slightest lead that might be connected to her, they would rush out without hesitation.A

Chapter 23

The last thing Kieran and David imagined was the scene they walked into after two months apart with Tabitha.Before seeing her again, Kieran had been certain of one thing—they loved each other for ten years, and David was a child she had carried for nine months. Even if she were still upset, she would surely forgive them as long as they apologized sincerely.By then, their family of three would return to how it used to be—happy, complete. He would love her with everything he had and never be tempted by another woman again.Yet only two months had passed, and there was another man standing beside her. He was holding a child in his arms, who called her "Mommy". They looked exactly like how they used to be, a family of three.Kieran's mind went blank. He couldn't think.David, on the other hand, was filled with raw grievance. He and Kieran had been searching for Tabitha, who loved him greatly, for two difficult months, but now, another kid was calling her "Mommy".Before anyone coul

Chapter 24

David hadn't seen Tabitha for two whole months. Finally finding her, he didn't just hear another child call her "Mommy", but also saw his mother, who had always been gentle with him, standing there cold and distant.The unfairness of it all hit him like a wave, and he couldn't hold it in anymore. He cried out, "Mommy, don't you want me anymore? I'm your son!"In the past, whenever he cried, Tabitha would scoop him up and soothe him patiently. Now, she simply stood there, watching quietly.He waited for her warm hand to wipe away his tears, but it never came. When he opened his eyes, she stayed rooted on the spot, looking at him with nothing but indifference."Are you done crying?" she asked. "Do you understand how I felt when I found out you called that woman 'Mommy'?"Ever since David was born, Tabitha had raised him by hand until he was six. The love she poured into him was no less than what she had for Kieran.When he was sick, she stayed by his bedside all night. On his first

Chapter 25

Kieran couldn't understand it. How could he possibly not love Tabitha?Ever since she left, he hadn't slept through a single night. To find her, he had even traded away his health. How could she think he didn't love her?He looked at her, his eyes filled with endless agony. "Tab, how could I not love you?"Tabitha chuckled. "Was it love when you snuck around with Summer behind my back? Or when you spent my birthday skiing with her? When the avalanche happened, was it out of love that you chose to protect her instead of me?"With every question, Kieran's face grew a shade paler. Each word she spoke turned into a sharp blade, stabbing straight into his chest.At that moment, he hated himself more than ever. If he had held onto his principles back then and pushed Summer away, none of this would've happened.None of the anguish burning in Kieran's eyes could move Tabitha. "I know why you came here. You want to take me back. Listen up, you two—from the moment I left, we stopped having

Chapter 26

"Tab, even if what we did was unforgivable, David's still your child. You carried him for nine months. We're leaving at any moment now… Can you at least hold him one last time?" Kieran pleaded.David timidly tugged at Tabitha's shirt. "Mommy, I'm really sorry. Just one last hug, please?"Victor held Joyce in his arms, giving them space. Suddenly, she chimed in. "Mommy, is this boy really your son?"Victor immediately tensed at the question. Tabitha pondered briefly, then answered, "He used to be. Now, you're my only child, Joyce."The words had barely left her mouth when David started wailing. "Mommy, no! I'm still your son!"His pitiful crying struck a pang of sympathy in Joyce. "Mommy, did he do something wrong? Can't you forgive him?"Tabitha smiled, gently pinching her cheek. "Joyce, when you grow up one day, you'll understand that not all mistakes can be forgiven."Those words were ultimately a death sentence for Kieran and David. They would never get her forgiveness.In t