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Chapter 12
Chapter 12
In New York’s most coveted hillside district–where land was precious and security was airtight–a black Maybach slowly wound its way up the mountain and pulled into the courtyard of the Silver Moon Villa.
Inside the car, Rowan had just woken up.
Vincent held him gently, calmly explaining, “Doris is your birth mother. Sophia… was your foster mother for the past five years.”
Rowan didn’t cry. He didn’t argue.
He simply asked, “So… does that mean I have two moms now?”
Vincent nodded. “Yes.”
Then he added firmly, “Doris went through a lot to bring you into this world. She loves you very much. You should apologize and call her ‘Mom.‘ Understand?”
Rowan nodded obediently.
Inside, Doris sat on the living room sofa, a soft blanket draped over her legs. Her ankle, now bandaged and swollen, peeked out from beneath.
When she saw them, her eyes lit up, her delicate features blossoming into a sweet smile.
“Vincent. Rowan. You’re back.”
Rowan clung to his father’s hand, looking up at him.
“Go on,” Vincent murmured, ruffling his hair.
Encouraged, Rowan stepped forward.
Doris reached out. “Come here, sweetheart. Let Mommy give you a hug.”
Rowan hesitated–but walked over.
Doris wrapped him in her arms, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.
“Baby… I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to leave you. I’ve missed you every single day for the past five years…”
Rowan’s small body tensed in her embrace.
The scent of her perfume–a floral sweetness–lingered around him.
It wasn’t the clean, faint citrus Sophia always carried.
Not the same at all.
Doris finally let him go and reached to the side of the couch, pulling out several carefully wrapped boxes.
“These are all gifts Mommy got for you. Take a look–see if there’s anything you like?”
Rowan’s eyes widened. “Iron Man!”
“Do you like it?” Doris beamed. “It’s a limited edition. I asked several friends before finally finding one.”
“Thank you, Mommy!”
13:42
Chapter 12
His voice rang through the house like a bell.
“You’re the best!”
Doris’s smile trembled with joy. “You finally called me ‘Mommy.“”
“Daddy said you went through a lot to have me,” Rowan added earnestly. He picked up a tissue and gently wiped away her tears.
“I’m sorry I was mean to you this morning. I won’t do that again.”
Doris’s tears only flowed harder.
“Oh, sweetheart… it wasn’t your fault. It’s Mommy’s. But from now on, I’ll do my best to be a good mother to you.”
“You’re not bad!”
Rowan threw his arms around her neck.
“Daddy said you’ve always loved me. I’ll love you lots too!”
Doris glanced up at Vincent, her eyes shimmering. “Thank you, Vincent.”
Vincent walked over and handed her a handkerchief.
“It’s what I should’ve done long ago. Don’t cry. Rowan doesn’t like seeing you upset.”
“Yeah, Mommy! You’re so pretty–you shouldn’t cry! You’ll get wrinkles!”
Doris laughed through her tears and took the handkerchief.
“Okay. Mommy won’t cry anymore.”
The moment was warm. Intimate.
Rowan, surrounded by presents, began playing happily on the couch.
Doris sat beside him, watching with gentle eyes.
Vincent sat alone in the armchair, head down, quietly handling emails on his phone.
After a moment, Doris turned to him. She hesitated–then spoke softly.
“What do you plan to do… about Miss Sophia?”
Vincent looked up. His face was expressionless.
“I’ll handle it.”
“She really did take care of Rowan all these years,” Doris said. “I honestly feel sorry toward her.”
“This wasn’t your fault,” Vincent replied. His voice was low. “Rowan was always your child.”
“Yeah, Mommy!” Rowan suddenly chimed in from his toy pile.
“I am your baby. It’s totally right for us to be together! And you’re super pretty–Daddy said I’m this cute because I got my looks from you!”
“You little flatterer,” Doris giggled, booping his nose. “You better not say that in front of your Sophia Mommy. She might get jealous.”
“She won’t!” Rowan declared confidently. “Sophia Mommy loves me too much to get mad at me!”
Vincent’s phone rang. A business call.
13:42
Chapter 12
He stood up.
“I have to stop by the office.”
Doris nodded. “Alright. Rowan will stay with me.”
She paused.
“Will you be back for dinner?”
Vincent hesitated briefly. Then: “I’ll come back once I’m done.”
“Drive safe.”
“Bye–bye, Daddy!”
Vincent gave a soft nod and walked out the door.
Author’s Note:
Hmm… is Vincent heading out to find Sophia now?
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