CHAPTER 122: CHAPTER 122: ADMIT YOU MISSED ME

Shannon Quinn’s heart was calmer than she had imagined. For someone who seemed never to have been in her life, she couldn’t muster much emotion.

The word "mother" for her seemed just a title.

"I know that no matter what happened back then, leaving you was my fault. I don’t expect you to forgive me. Just being able to find you in my lifetime, knowing you’re doing okay, brings me a lot of comfort."

Shannon Quinn let out a cold laugh, "How do you know I’m doing okay?"

The gratified and moved smile on Catherine Yardley’s face froze. She looked up at Shannon Quinn with questioning eyes, as if asking what had happened.

"A child unloved by their birth parents, can anyone else love them?" Shannon Quinn said coldly, her words carrying little resentment, as if she were just stating a simple fact.

"I’m sorry, Shannon... I truly regret sending you away back then. If I could choose again, I’d keep you by my side, no matter the cost."

"Don’t say anymore. You never raised me anyway. Just consider that you never had this daughter, or that I’m already dead."

"Please don’t say that... I won’t disrupt your life now. Just meeting you is enough for me. If there’s anything I can do to make up for it, just let me know."

"Your presence or absence is the same to me. I don’t blame or hate you. Let’s continue living our lives well, pretending this relationship doesn’t exist." Shannon Quinn finished speaking, ignoring the painful tears in Catherine Yardley’s eyes, and turned to leave.

Once she turned away, her eyes immediately welled up.

She herself was about to become a mother. She could feel some of the emotions and helplessness, but she felt that the biggest forgiveness she could offer Catherine Yardley was not to hate her.

The confusion in her heart was resolved, yet Shannon Quinn didn’t feel any relief. She wasn’t sure if her attitude toward Catherine Yardley was right or wrong.

She believed Catherine Yardley’s remorse was sincere, yet she still couldn’t forgive.

Her curiosity grew. If Catherine Yardley was only thirty-nine, it meant she was just seventeen or eighteen when she had her. What kind of past did she have to go through pregnancy and childbirth at such a young age?

Shannon Quinn sat in her office, staring at the blank drawing paper in front of her without a single thought crossing her mind.

She picked up her phone and started browsing absentmindedly, unknowingly opening Vincent Rhodes’ message page, with the conversation still on the address he had last sent.

Thinking about it, it was the first time he’d replied to her message.

Recalling what he had said before, he mentioned that she could text him if she ever needed anything.

Shannon Quinn, as if guided by some invisible force, composed a message and sent it: I found my mom.

Seeing the message sent successfully, she didn’t expect an immediate reply. After sending the message, she returned to the home screen, feeling as if just having someone to talk to helped dispel some of her inner frustration.

She picked up her tea cup only to find it empty. Putting down her phone, she got up and went to the break room, casually wandering around, chatting to distract herself a bit.

When she returned to the office, she heard the "ding" of her phone. Shannon Quinn quickly approached the desk, smiling at the long series of numbers displayed on the screen.

Setting down the cup, she picked up her phone to unlock it, seeing Vincent Rhodes’ reply: I will definitely visit next time I’m home.

Though Shannon Quinn knew that even if Vincent Rhodes had the time, she wouldn’t take him to meet Catherine Yardley, his reply somehow instantly lifted her spirits.

It wasn’t so much about what he replied, but simply that he replied.

She quickly typed another line: How is your recovery going?

Ding.

His response popped up: Same as always. Anyone causing trouble on your side?

Shannon Quinn: Not anymore.

After a couple of seconds, she added: Thank you.

While waiting for his reply, a sudden call came through, startling her with her own ringtone.

Seeing it was a landline number, she assumed it might be work-related and answered the call, "Hello."

But to her surprise, a familiar, husky male voice spoke, "Hey, busy?"

Shannon Quinn was momentarily stunned before replying, "Not busy... Why the sudden call?"

He didn’t hide his longing for her, answering, "I wanted to hear your voice."

Shannon Quinn was at a loss for words. If not for his familiar voice, she wouldn’t have believed such words would come from his mouth. Perhaps it was because she didn’t really know him.

"...Where are you now?" she asked, realizing the question was wrong right after she finished. Her mind went blank, and she searched for something to say, knowing he wouldn’t answer that question.

As expected, he naturally changed the subject, "It’s getting cold there too, isn’t it? Remember to take care of yourself and avoid catching a cold."

"Mm... you too."

She really was a contradictory person. When she couldn’t reach Vincent Rhodes, she kept thinking about contacting him. Once she got in touch, she became tongue-tied and didn’t know what to say.

"There’s a heavy snowfall here. It’s quite beautiful. If there’s a chance, I’d certainly bring you over to see it."

Shannon Quinn genuinely felt such sentimental words weren’t something he’d typically say. She thought he was the silent, reserved type who rarely spoke with romantic undertones.

"Are you still over there?" Shannon Quinn asked.

He gently countered, "Why?"

"...If you ever have the time, let me know. We can arrange a time, and when you’re free, I can come meet you."

She heard a soft chuckle from him over the phone. Not knowing what he was laughing at, Shannon Quinn flushed, unsure if she’d said something wrong.

"Wasn’t that long journey last time exhausting for you?"

Of course, it was tiring, but she felt it was worth it if it meant they could spend some time together.

Of course, she didn’t express these thoughts directly to Vincent Rhodes, fearing he’d tease her.

Before he could respond, he made his proposal: "I would love for you to come, but since you’re pregnant, I don’t want you to endure the hardship. Stay put; I’ll make time to visit you."

"When?"

"Do you really want to see me that much?"

Shannon Quinn immediately denied it, "I’m just asking." Then she hurriedly explained nonsensically, "I have a friend staying over now. You’ll have to tell me in advance if you plan to visit, so I can make arrangements."

He said, "Admitting you miss me isn’t shameful."