chapter37

“Auntie, are you really my mother’s friend? How is my mom

doing now? Is she alright in prison? I miss her so much…”

At the mention of her mother, a glimmer of tears appeared in

Lina’s clear eyes.

She seemed to know about her mother’s imprisonment.

This was something Romina had not expected.

It turned out that Lina knew even more than she had imagined.

Beforeing, Romina had been thinking about how to cover

for Savannah, since it was said that the child had not known

about the arrest at the time.

It must have been the child’s father who told her.

“Your mother is doing alright. She entrusted you to me, so from

now on, you’ll live with Auntie, okay? I will treat you as if you

were my own daughter…”

Romina was uncertain in her heart, unsure if the child would

be willing to go with her.

Still, she did her best to show sincerity and gratitude for her

benefactor.

Lina hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. “If you really

are my mom’s friend, then I’m willing to go with you. I’m not

doing well here anyway, they bully me all the time, and I don’t

want to stay here anymore.”

“Lina, don’t worry. I will go through the proper channels and

apply to Cade to take you with me.”

Romina reached out her fair hand and gently stroked the child’s

head, her brows filled with tenderness.

Lina’s gaze suddenly became evasive, as if she wanted to say

something but hesitated.

“Lina, is there something else you want to say to Auntie?”

“Um…” Lina lowered her eyelids, not daring to meet Romina’s

eyes, and stammered, “If I make a mistake in the future, will

Auntie hit me?”

Hearing this, Romina felt a wave of bitterness in her heart.

Although it was her first meeting with the child today, from

Lina’s reaction, it was clear she had suffered much harsh

chapter37

treatment from her father and those around her.

Poor child.

It couldn’t help but remind her of herself.

When you are weak, no one will look at you with respect.

Some might even spit on you, insult you, or even beat and kick

you.

These were not things she had only experienced in prison.

Romina instinctively reached out and pulled the child into her

arms. “Auntie will never hit you. Don’t be afraid.”

“Alright, as long as you don’t hit me and give me something to

eat, I’m willing to go with you.”

Lina’s voice was especially firm.

Romina took the child’s hand and led her toward Cade’s office.

After exining the situation to Cade in detail, she proceeded

to handle the adoption procedures.

Since Romina was a friend of the child’s mother and had

brought all the necessary documents, the adoption process was

notplicated. Everything was settled within just one

afternoon.

Cade specifically arranged for someone to help Lina wash up

and change into new clothes, and personally escorted the child

out.

“Ms. Sandoval, this child is very well-behaved and easy to care

for. I hope you two will get along peacefully in the future.”

“We will, thank you.”

As Romina left the orphanage holding the child’s hand, she

made a point to look around.

Only after confirming there were no spies did she bring the

child to the car.

The next evening.

Elliana came to the house to wee Lina.

Romina personally prepared dinner for them. Not knowing

what the child liked to eat, she made some of the dishes

Kashton used to enjoy.

After all, children usually have simr tastes.

After dinner, they all sat on the sofa chatting, the atmosphere

warm and harmonious.

Lina was a bit shy and slightly withdrawn, not fond of talking.

But with their gentle guidance, things gradually began to

improve.

After coaxing Lina to sleep, Romina and Elliana sat on the

balcony, enjoying a drink together.

The summer evening breeze swept by, lifting the strands of

hair at Romina’s temples.

When Elliana took out her phone, a message popped up on the

screen.

After reading the message, she suddenly froze.

“Sir Bowman is in the hospital? Did you know about this?”

At these words, Romina’s brows furrowed instantly.

She truly hadn’t heard about it.

Elliana quickly handed over her phone, and Romina lowered

her eyes to take a look.

Sincest night, Hayden had suddenly experienced chest

tightness. After being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, his condition was temporarily stabilized, but he was

still hospitalized as of today.

Such a major event, and yet not a single person in the Bowman

family had told her.

It was understandable that Joaquin hadn’t said anything.

After all, their rtionship wasn’t close enough for him to

inform her.

But Jericho and Lenora hadn’t told her either.