The moment Danny spotted Whitney, his little heart shattered into pieces, and he burst into tears, racing towards her, “Mommy, mommy… I’ve missed you so much.”
Whitney’s eyes brimmed with tears as she enveloped her son in a tight embrace, wishing she could fuse him into her very being, “Danny, I’m so sorry I vanished for so long. You must have been worried. Mommy’s fine now, and I'll never leave you or Sammy again.”
“It’s all Dad’s fault, I know, I know…” Danny sobbed, his voice hoarse, a trace of discomfort flashing in his eyes.
Despite feeling sympathy for his dad, he couldn’t deny that Sammy’s concerns were valid.
These days, he had been scrolling through websites, everyone was talking about how Mommy was taken away by Dad, how Mommy then married Bryce. People speculated whether Mommy was tainted, whether Bryce would abandon her, wondering if any man could ever accept a woman like Mommy again.
That’s when Danny realized the extent of hurt Mommy had endured.
He found himself at a loss to defend his dad…
Whitney, however, didn’t want to mention that man again.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she looked around for Sammy, her eyes filled with hope, which faded instantly.
Trembling, she asked, “Danny, where’s Sammy? He said Sammy was rescued.”
“Sammy’s safe, don’t worry, Mommy!”
Danny slightly pulled away to light up his smartwatch, trying to video call Sammy, “Sammy’s been waiting for you too. He asked me to call him the moment I saw you. He misses you the most, Mommy.”
Wiping away her tears, Whitney’s heart felt like it was in shreds as she asked in a hoarse voice, “Where’s my boy? Why… why isn’t he coming home? Danny, have you seen your brother?”
“I’ve seen him, he’s okay. About him not coming home, it’s because, well…”
Danny, being straightforward, struggled to lie, but it was Sammy’s request. He chose his words carefully, “Sammy got a little hurt, because the doctor who kidnapped him caused some injuries, so he’s staying at the doctor’s for treatment.”
Whitney’s heart clenched as she remembered Florence’s threat about Sammy undergoing brain surgery.
With her heart in her throat, she insisted, “Injured? So he’s recuperating? I want to see him, bring him home.”
“He will come home, Mommy, just be patient…”
But the call disconnected with a series of beeps, Sammy didn’t pick up. Just as Whitney grew anxious, Danny reassured, “Sammy’s free to move around. These days he’s been keeping an eye on Grandpa’s hospital room, worried about any danger. Mommy, he’s being really smart. He even contacted me yesterday.”
“I can vouch for that.” Keegan approached, pushing a wheelchair, “I’m aware Danny went to see Sammy. Whitney, you’ve just got back, don’t stress yourself too much. Come inside, and once Danny gets hold of Sammy, you can go see him.”
Regaining her composure from the sadness, Whitney noticed her uncle and Yael were also present. She stood up to be embraced by Yael.
Keegan chimed in, “Alright, it’s good to have you back. Let’s not linger here. You’ve been on the plane all day without a bite to eat, I’ll have the maid whip up something delicious.”
Bryce led Whitney into the house.
Inside the familiar villa, Whitney could finally breathe. Her eyes misty, she looked around, suddenly remembering that Tiana wasn’t there to welcome her.
“Tiana…” Whitney headed towards Tiana’s room on the ground floor.
Opening the door, she saw the neatly made bed, but Cherry was absent.
Frowning, she quickly went upstairs, grabbed her spare phone, and dialed Tiana.
After a while, the call connected, and Tiana’s voice, filled with surprise and joy, came through, “Whitney, is that you? This is your spare number, right?”
“Yes, it’s me, Tiana.”
“Oh my God, you’re back. I’ve been so worried about you.”
Tiana was on the verge of tears, “Ever since Ludwik kidnapped you, I’ve been scared he might keep you until... well, you know.”
“…”
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