Have you ever been abroad?
This statement hit Josie like a heavy blow, intensifying the loneliness in her heart. A feeling of powerlessness towards the future overwhelmed her.
“Ms. Warren…”
Josie raised her arm, signaling for a moment of calm.
“Regardless of the possibility, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack…” According to his meaning, the chances of finding Paul were extremely low. If someone intentionally hid a person, one could only imagine the difficulty of finding them.
“Perhaps, Paul is no longer in this world.”
Josie’s gaze became unfocused. “No, that’s impossible.”
With a determined tone and resolute attitude, she declared, “He must still be alive. He must still be living well in this world.”
Meanwhile, Mallory found the mansion by comparing the address Josie had given her. After confirming the house number was correct, she stood outside and pressed the doorbell.
After waiting for a while, the sound of footsteps gradually approached. Then, the door swung open.
“Josie… The words abruptly stopped on her lips as her gaze unexpectedly met Dexter’s figure. The man stood casually, exuding the air of a master with his nonchalant demeanor.
When Mallory saw Dexter, her expression was priceless. Her mouth was open, wide enough to fit an egg.
“Mr. Russell… how did you happen to be here?”
Facing Mallory’s shocked expression, Dexter was evidently much more composed. He looked at her, asking, “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”
Mallory’s mind lagged for a moment before she said, “It’s an address Jo gave me… We just met yesterday.”
Dexter then turned to the side. “She’s not home. If you’re waiting for her, you might as well come in.”
Mallory felt a flutter of unease in her heart, but her feet moved on their own, stepping forward. Just as she was about to speak, her gaze involuntarily fell upon the small figure in the courtyard.
Mallory blurted out, “Whose child is this?”
Upon hearing these words, Grape, clutching the toy from the ground, stood up. Her round, innocent eyes turned towards Mallory, a hint of recognition in her gaze.
“Ms. Whiteford…”
“Weren’t you the child who got lost last time? How did you end up here?” Mallory recognized Grape. “Where’s your mommy?”
Mallory felt her mind spinning, always sensing some kind of connection between them, yet she couldn’t quite make sense of it. “Ms. Whiteford… Mommy has gone to work,” she said.
Grape spoke in a very organized manner.
Mallory looked at the small face, which was the perfect blend of Dexter and Josie. Despite it being their first meeting, she felt the child bore some resemblance to Dexter. Now, upon closer inspection, she realized the child was practically a carbon copy.
Could it be… Is this child really Dexter’s child?
Then there’s only one possibility…
“Is your mommy Jo?”
To everyone’s surprise, Grape gently shook her head. “No, Ms. Whiteford. Everyone calls my mommy Alice.”
Alice?
Mallory was utterly confused.
Dexter gave a light cough. “Alice, that’s Josie.”
Josie is Grape’s mother! Mallory’s face was filled with disbelief. She quickly squatted down, looking at Grape at eye level, her voice filled with excitement as she asked, “Are you Ms. Jo’s child?”
Josie actually has a child, and this child… there’s no need to think further. The answer is obvious.
This world is surely a mystery.
If this news were to be discovered by the gossip reporters of Wavery, it would undoubtedly ignite a whirlwind of scandal and controversy.
Mallory found it somewhat difficult to comprehend. Her gaze towards Grape softened. “Grape, I am Mallory Whiteford, close friend of your mother’s…”
