Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Mia observed with amazement, realizing that perhaps men were naturally skilled at handling children.
With no signs of strain, Timothy effortlessly cradled both Ginger and
Sage. Observing this scene, Mia couldn’t help but marvel at the noticeable strength disparity between men and women.
Although carrying both children was a bit taxing, Timothy remained unfazed and showed no signs of fatigue.
As they walked along the short path, Timothy found himself oddly wishing the journey would extend just a bit longer.
When Patricia opened the door, she was greeted by the sight of Timothy returning with Ginger and Sage cradled in his arms. A feeling of sol?ce washed over her as she took in the scene.
Despite the difficulties they faced, she knew that every child yearned for the comforting embrace of their father.
With a gentle touch, Timothy carefully laid both children down on the bed. Ginger continued to sleep peacefully, her limbs sprawled in every direction, blissfully unaware of her surroundings.
Unbeknownst to them, Sage hadn’t been deeply asleep. He had actually awakened the moment Timothy took him from Mia’s arms.
However, he had apprehensions about the situation becoming awkward if he were to wake up in Timothy’s embrace.
Hence, he decided to continue pretending to be asleep until they arrived home.
After stealing a glance at Ginger and Sage, Mia softly closed the door behind her.
She couldn’t help but notice the perspiration glistening on Timothy’s forehead.
“Here, have a sip,” Patricia offered, handing him a glass of water.
“Thanks,” Timothy said, accepting the water and taking a gulp. “I should probably get going now.”
As Mia observed Timothy’s silhouette fading away, she eventually trailed behind him to the door. Meeting his gaze, she reassured him, “You don’t have to dwell on Mrs. Barrett’s words.”
Timothy’s footsteps came to a halt at Mia’s words. “She was speaking the truth,” he conceded.
Watching him walk away, Mia decided not to follow.
She hadn’t anticipated Sharon’s prior knowledge of Timothy’s true lineage. This made her wonder about the emotions Sharon had been wrestling with over the years whenever she was around Timothy. Before long, Patricia joined Mia’s side. “What’s going on? Timmo doesn’t seem to be in good spirits.”
“It’s nothing major,” Mia replied, trying to ease Patricia’s worry. “We spontaneously decided to visit the amusement park today, and the kids had a fantastic time.”
Patricia paused, her gaze lingering on Mia. “Mia, are you and Mr. Barrett-“
“Aunt Patricia, please don’t read too much into it. There’s nothing romantic going on between Timothy and I. Today was simply a regular outing for the kids to bond with their father, nothing more.” “Mia, I can’t help but notice that Mr. Barrett seems different lately. Maybe you should think about giving your relationship another chance.”
Disregarding Patricia’s advice, Mia stood up. “It’s getting late. I think I’ll turn in for the night.”
“Silly kid,” Patricia teased, letting out a faint sigh.
As night descended, Timothy made his way to the hospital, pausing outside the ward for a lingering moment.
The unexpected discovery that Sharon was already aware of his true lineage caught him off guard, sparking a feeling of self-reproach regarding his origins.
After a moment of contemplation, he eventually turned on his heels and left without a word.
Shortly after, Luna emerged, clad in her nursing attire. As she observed Timothy’s departing figure, her gaze turned considerably colder.
It was evident that Luna wasn’t about to let this matter go easily.
With a decisive stride, she entered the hospital room. There, Laura lay on the bed, connected to a ventilator, her features appearing more weathered and worn than before.
Luna’s words cut through the air, dripping with disdain. “Well, well, old hag, how does it feel to have spent the past five years lying in bed like a corpse? “When I came to you back then, I wasn’t asking for a fortune. All I wanted was a chance for Asher and me to survive, just a bit of financial support to get by. “Yet you consistently turned us away. With your talent for being a roadblock to others, how have you managed to live with yourself for so long?”
As Luna recalled the injustices she endured at the hands of the Barrett family five years ago, her bitterness flared anew.
Glaring at the frail Laura, Luna pressed on, “Of all people, you should have been the one to go. Life would have been so much easier if you had just passed away.
“But no, you had to cling to life, making everyone miserable. If only you had allowed me to return to the Barrett family earlier, none ofthis would have happened, would it?”
Without a second thought, Luna decisively unplugged Laura’s ventilator. Watching Laura struggle for breath, a chilling smile spread across Luna’s lips.
“You have only yourself to blame. Perhaps in your next life, you should try being more compassionate and refrain from looking down on others.”
In an instant, the hospital room door swung open with a forceful push, revealing Timothy standing in the doorway.
His expression was hidden behind a
Ine mask of anger as he exclaimed,
“Luna, seems you were the one who pushed Grandma down the stairs all those years ago, wasn’t it?”
“Timothy, what are you doing here?”
Luna’s resolve wavered at the unexpected sight of Timothy, a shiver of fear coursing down her spine.
Timothy strode toward Luna, his stare penetrating. “Tell me, what brings you here?”
Nervously, Luna stuttered, “I-I heard Mrs. Barrett Senior had woken up, so I came to check on her.”
“Is that so? Are you sure your intention wasn’t to disconnect Grandma’s ventilator?” Timothy’s accusation cut through the air.
“N-No, when I arrived, the ventilator had already been removed by someone else. You have to believe me.”
Despite Luna’s protests, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Why was Timothy so composed and unaffected by the situation?
As Luna glanced back at the hospital bed, she was stunned to see Laura, who had appeared frail just moments ago, now standing effortlessly, devoid of any hint of frailty. Luna finally grasped the truth-this woman wasn’t Laura at all.
It was all a meticulously planned ruse.
The realization hit Luna like a thunderbolt, her gaze fixed on Timothy with disbelief. “So, you knew I was coming to the hospital all along?”
“Obviously,” Timothy replied nonchalantly.
“So, you’re telling me you orchestrated this entire setup? It seems like you were eagerly waiting for me to take the bait, weren’t you?”
Despite Luna’s efforts to appear assertive, her trembling body betrayed her underlying fear.
Timothy peered at Luna with a condescending gaze. “Did you honestly believe you could escape the consequences of your actions after all this time?”
“It wasn’t me, I swear. I didn’t do anything. Besides, my tattoo is gone. What basis do you have for accusing me?” Luna countered, desperation creeping into her voice.
“Well, just the fact that you were a convict who escaped illegally and attempted murder for a second time. Those charges alone are enough to ensure you spend the rest of your life behind bars,” Timothy declared sternly.
Luna’s body went numb with shock, and she instinctively clung to Timothy’s leg. “No, I can’t be arrested. Asher is still in Nord City; he can’t be without his mother.”
With a forceful shove, Timothy pushed Luna away. “Having a mother like you is the real tragedy,” he said coldly.
“But how can I trust the Shelberts to properly care for Asher? You should bring him back to the Barrett family,” Luna pleaded, desperation tainting her voice.
Timothy’s demeanor grew icy as he remarked, “I see no problem with Asher staying with the Shelbert family.”
At Timothy’s words, Luna’s body trembled with apprehension. “Timothy, you’re deliberately doing this, aren’t you?” she accused.
“Exactly. I’m retaliating against you on purpose. After all, Asher is nothing but a pawn to you.”
Before Luna could respond, the surrounding bodyguards swiftly subdued her. However, she offered no resistance this time, recognizing that her fate was sealed.
Her expression twisted with defiance as she argued, “Why should
I bear all the blame? Wasn’t it that old hag who prevented me from returning to the Barrett family in the first place? Asher is also a part of the Barrett family, fored sake. Why shouldn’t he be allowed to go back?”
Ignoring Luna, Timothy firmly commanded, “Take Luna to the police station.”
“Timothy, swear, karma will catch up to you. I’ve always known that it’s impossible for wealthy individual’s like you to truly understand the hardships that us regular folks face.
“If only you had spared some money, Asher and I could have lived well, and none of this would have happened. It’s all your fault.”
As Luna was escorted away, Timothy’s legs almost buckled beneath him.
Observing the scene, Heath quickly stepped forward to steady him. “Mr. Barrett, are you alright?”
“Tell me, is this my punishment?”
Noticing Timothy’s pallid lips, Heath promptly reassured him, “Mr. Barrett, don’t let the words of such a toxic woman get to you. She’s nothing but selfish.
“If Mrs. Barrett Senior had kept Luna around back then, who knows what other cruel deeds she might have committed.”
With a single step forward, Timothy’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground unconscious.
As Mia stirred awake the next morning, a sense of unease washed over her.
Following her usual routine, she took Ginger and Sage to the hospital to visit Laura.
Upon their arrival, Heath approached Mia urgently, his expression filled with concern. “Ms. Lane, Mr. Barrett has fainted.”
Concerned, Mia asked, “What happened to him?”