Chapter 42
The feeling of being alive was truly terrible.
I thought that taking my medication, seeing the world, and working hard would make everything better.
But I had hoped in vain.
My world was already ruined, unable to branch out or sprout.
Janet told me to take the test results to them.
I actually held onto a shred of hope as I presented the results.
They scolded me for being crazy, accusing me of using any means necessary to return to this family.
The last bit of hope was extinguished with a cold splash of water.
I didn’t react; Janet dragged everyone to get an on–the–spot test.
Mom yelled, saying I should kneel and apologize to Victoria for hurting her once the results are out.
While waiting for the results, I stood up and hugged Janet, “I don’t care about the results anymore, Janet. I don’t care.”
I refused her company and left the institution alone.
I ate nothing, feeling completely devoid of spirit.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Janet watched me with sorrow, crying time and again.
I didn’t tell her about that night; I just wanted to see her once more.
That day, she brought the dishes I used to love.
I told her, “Jessie, I can’t eat.”
“Lisa, please cat a little, just a bit?” She trembled as she held a spoon to my lips.
I gently opened my mouth and ate a small bite.
I forced a smile at her.
She broke down.
She hugged me and recounted our old stories.
In the end, her voice trembled as she told me, “Lisa, if you can’t go on, let’s just give up. Let’s leave this world behind.”
She gently stroked each of my wounds.
She also remembered the bad memories for me.
When her fingers touched the new wounds, they recoiled as if burned by fire.
Without saving a word
She knew I couldn’t hold on any longer.
Then, it’s time to let go.
Later, Janet told me that Victoria had been arrested and was in the midst of a trial, facing a sentence that could keep her in prison for most of her life.
It turned out that John was an undercover cop.
Three months ago, his superiors had informed them of a child trafficking ring operating within the city, and the scope was within John’s department.
He had been serious when he was with me.
That was why I introduced him to my parents and Victoria.
During that meeting, he noticed that Victoria’s face bore a striking resemblance to a child in the case.
After discussing with the department, he decided to stay close to her under the guise of a friendly relationship to gather information.
Because this operation was dangerous, he hadn’t told me.
He said that Victoria’s adoption by my parents was a premeditated scheme.
The organization would abduct young infants.
Years later, they would have the children undergo plastic surgery to resemble the missing biological child.
They would then provide clues to the parents, making them believe they had finally found their child, thereby achieving the goal of relocating the organization’s members.
As the children grew, they would befriend other kids as peers, using trust to facilitate the abductions.
Victoria had already discreetly sent away two children.
But I was an accidental find.
I had escaped from the organization and happened to be picked up by my biological parents.
In the freezing cold, I had a high fever, erasing all those unpleasant memories for me.
He also said he had originally planned to propose to me once everything was over.
It turned out he had been serious about us.
But what does that matter now?
I was exhausted, and I didn’t want to continue.
I did not accept John’s apology.