The quiet night went on.

    Willow could barely hold it together, but she still s down at the table. No matter how hard the food was to swallow, she forced herself to eat every bite.

    She was no longer the Willow of the past. Now, she was Landon’s mother.

    But the sorrow was overwhelming. Her tears kept fling into the food.

    Mnie was distressed as well. Sheforted Willow softly and then nced at Julian. That mangled arm of his was a constant reminder of her own foolishness. The marks on her face pained her even more.

    Mnie couldn’t hold back any longer. She wept and said, “That day, I was supposed to send you two off. But I must’ve been out of my mind.

    “I answered a call and got caught up thinking about Alicia, whom I watched grow up. I couldn’t bear to see her suffer, so I wanted to send her some money to improve her meals. 1

    “Who would’ve thought that Alicia would knock me out cold? By the time I woke up, a few hours had passed.

    “By the time I rushed to the hospital, Julian was already in surgery. He wouldn’t let me tell you. These past years, he hasn’t been doing well.

    “Willow, if you’re angry, then take it out on me. Jn sincerely wants to make amends. Can you forgive him and give him one more chance?

    “I know I’m asking a lot, but after watching him these past years, as his mother, I can’t bear it anymore.”

    Mnie’s weeping echoed inside the room. Outside the rain was heavy, as if trying to crush the earth.

    In the middle of the night, the final drop of water sll from a leaf,nded with a quiet plop.

    Landon woke up, calling out “Mommy” in a daze. Willow quickly walked over and hugged him in her arms. She gently patted his back, helping him wake up from his sleep.

    Landon’s beautiful eyes were still half–closed as he asked softly, “Mommy, am I going to die?”

    Willow felt her throat tighten. She forced a smile a whispered, “Of course not. You’ll be fine and grow up with Gabrie.”

    In that half–awake state, children always spoke the ruth. of

    “What about Mommy and Daddy? I don’t want othedies. I want Mommy. I want to live with you. Please don’t leave. I really miss you.”

    Willow’s heart shattered. She held him tighter, and her voice choked with emotion. “Mommy’s not leaving. I’ll always stay with you.”

    Landon nestled in her arms. He had been raised by Julian, but seeing other children with their mothers made him long for a mother.

    Now that his mother was here, and that she was beautiful and gentle, Landon loved her.

    Nearby, Julian’s heart ached. He couldn’t help but reach out to stroke Landon’s head. With a hoarse voice, he whispered, “Don’t leave. Stay.”

    Neither of them slept that night.

    Early in the morning, Willow asked the attending physician about Landon’s condition. The doctor exined that it was best to operate early for an autoimmune disease like this, preferably before the age of four and a half.

    Once it waspleted, it wouldn’t affect the child’s growthter on.

    After hearing that, Willow looked at Julian. “Going on blind dates? What the hell were you thinking?

    That was the first time she had sworn at him.

    Julian, instead of being offended, found it exhrating. He secretly wondered if he had been suppressing for too long that he’d be crazy.

    Three dayster, Landon was discharged from the hospital.

    Heather personally helped pack their belongings.

    Willow folded Gabrie’s clothes and gathered her beloved toys. Though she had to take care of Landon, she hadn’t forgotten about Gabrie. She would love them both equally.

    At the same time, Heather said to Willow, “I did some digging. That lunatic who hit the car was diagnosed with mental illness. She was sent to a psychiatric facility.

    “To prevent her from escaping, they’ve chained her up. Honestly, she’s living a life worse than death, but that makes me feel a little better.”