Chapter 152

Alfred was about to argue, but seeing Derek, he hesitated. “I’m sorry, Mr. Reyes, for this messy situation. Thank you for keeping it quiet. It would have been a scandal for us. It’s getting late. Let me see you out.”

Clearly, Jarred had business to discuss. Derek nodded to me. “Ms. Amelia, get some rest.”

“Thank you.”

Alone with my mother, she gently stroked my hair, guilt evident on her face. “I’m so sorry. I should have taken better care of you…”

Her sadness melted my heart, and I hugged her tightly. “Mom, I promise I’ll never try anything like that again. I’ll live my life fully. Mr. Reyes is a good man. Even with his mobility issues, he’s kind and won’t hurt me. Marrying him is actually a good thing for me, and I mean it.”

She sighed, “I hope so.”

My reassurances eased her mind, but I had other matters to attend to. I found an excuse to dismiss her. Once she left, I donned a doctor’s white coat, glasses, and mask, and slipped out. Conveniently, this hospital housed my grandmother.

I was overjoyed! I had to tell Grandma I was alive—I’d been given a second chance. She wouldn’t have to worry anymore.

I practically floated down the hallway, my steps light and carefree, reminiscent of childhood evenings. It all felt surreal, dreamlike.

A faint wrist pain jolted me back to reality—I was Amelia, now!

Before reaching Grandma’s room, my heart pounded. I saw familiar faces: my birth parents.

Adjusting my mask, I stood quietly at a distance.

My mother’s face was etched with grief as she supported my father. “The police said Amanda is probably dead…”

My father, annoyed, replied, “Keep it down. Do you want to give my mother a heart attack?” “My poor daughter, where could she be? The police searched everywhere and found nothing.”

“Not finding a body means there’s still hope. Why the tears? It’s like you’re at a funeral.”

As my mother wept, my father smoked silently. Before, this scene would have devastated me. Now, I felt nothing.

Their coldness had already severed our family ties. In my heart, I had already left them behind.

They cried now, but where were they when I vanished?

I lingered, but they didn’t seem to be leaving. Risking recognition, I decided to return later.

Just as I turned to go, a wheelchair rolled out from the fire escape. The man in it possessed striking features, but his face was cold and hard. When he looked at me, it felt like being caught in a predator’s gaze, sending chills down my spine. Perhaps my rebirth had altered my demeanor; Derek, sharp as ever, noticed. My heart raced as he gave me a hard look and asked, “Where have you been?”