Chapter 105

Selena, lost in the past, ignored Shirley's words. Overwhelming disappointment and complex emotions surged within her. Finally, she turned, entered her car, and instructed the driver to leave.

Shirley remained, fingers clenched. "Cynthia, I will never forgive you," she muttered.

At that moment, Rachel, recently acquitted, emerged from the courthouse. Seeing Shirley from a distance, her expression was a mixture of emotions. She hadn't expected Shirley to appeal, believing Shirley wanted her imprisoned for life.

Shirley also saw Rachel and approached her directly.

"Shirley, my daughter, I finally see you," Rachel said, stepping forward to take Shirley's hand. She hadn't seen Shirley once during her imprisonment.

But Shirley, enraged, shook her off. "You? Whose mother are you? Yes, I appealed for your release, but that doesn't mean I acknowledge you. If you hadn't switched my life with Cynthia's, would I be living like this?"

She looked at Rachel with disdain. "Don't seek me out again. Go find your biological daughter, Cynthia. She's your daughter. Let her care for you."

Shirley turned and left, leaving Rachel standing alone. The midday sun blazed, feeling like a furnace. Not far away, Selena watched the scene from her car, her disappointment and heartbreak deepening.

Rachel looked up at the bustling traffic, momentarily dazed. As she searched for a bus stop, a red Mercedes-Benz pulled up. The window slowly descended, revealing a stunningly beautiful woman.

"Ms. Erwin, let me take you home," Cynthia said.

Rachel, stunned, immediately recognized the girl from a previous photograph. She got into the car, which quickly merged into the city traffic.

Cynthia calmly introduced herself: "I'm Cynthia."

Rachel, visibly flustered, replied, "I know you. I… I've seen your picture." She had taken two photos with her before prison—one of Shirley and one of Cynthia.

Rachel was nervous, but Cynthia remained calm. "Do you have a place to stay?" she asked.

"I used to live in Splendid Garden," Rachel replied.

Cynthia drove there. Splendid Garden was an old, soon-to-be-demolished residential area conveniently located near the city center. Twenty minutes later, they arrived, and Cynthia parked within the area.

Rachel exited the car. "Thank you for bringing me back, Ms. Jones. Won't you have a cup of tea before you leave?"

Cynthia addressed her as "Mrs. Erwin," refusing to acknowledge her as her mother. Rachel, however, felt unworthy of being Cynthia's mother. Cynthia didn't refuse.

Chapter 103

Rachel lived on the ground floor of a high-rise building. She found a key in the shoe cabinet and entered. The apartment was dim and dusty.

She quickly opened the curtains and windows. "No one's lived here for three years," she said, "so it's dusty. I hope you don't mind, Ms. Jones."

Cynthia surveyed the dusty room. "I'll hire some cleaners," she said.

"There's no need," Rachel replied. "The house isn't large. I can clean it myself."

"Make me a meal, then. I want to eat your cooking," Cynthia said suddenly.

Rachel froze, tears welling uncontrollably. "Alright," she said quickly. "There's a grocery store. I'll buy some ingredients." She hurried out.

Cynthia immediately called for cleaners. Afterward, she explored the small home. Despite its size, it was warmly decorated and well-equipped. The furniture arrangement, even the organized kitchen, showed careful selection and a love for life. The living room connected to a small balcony with a wind chime. A small, weedy yard contained vegetable racks, hinting at a once-vibrant garden.

Cynthia opened what she assumed was Shirley's room. It was neatly arranged, with high-quality furniture and a wardrobe filled with clean, well-maintained clothes. After Shirley rejoined the Jones family, she never visited.

When Rachel returned, the cleaners were working. Cynthia watched television. Rachel went to the kitchen to prepare vegetables.

Cynthia offered help, but Rachel declined, stating she was a good cook and the kitchen was too small for two.

The cleaners finished, leaving the house spotless. Rachel, meanwhile, had prepared a feast: braised short ribs, garlic grilled shrimp, steamed sea bass, Granatanolan pork knuckle, stewed beef, frittata, sauteed mushrooms, and mushroom soup—eight dishes in total.