Now, Annie Anne resembles a puppet, with her once sparkling eyes now devoid of emotion.
Beneath her beautiful skin lies only scars and bruises.
Oliver Hudson had never known the heart could ache in such a way.
Annie’s aloof gaze cut through his heart like a sharp blade, leaving it mangled and bloody.
He would rather have Annie hit or scold him, at least then she would be alive.
Just then, the door to the sickroom slowly opened and Charlotte Thompson emerged with the children.
Justin Battleson turned his head and saw that Charlotte Thompson was standing in front of him.
"Annie needs some rest, we should head back as well."
Having said that, Charlotte also noticed Oliver Hudson standing nearby. After some thought, Charlotte decided to speak to him.
"I hope you will take good care of her."
Oliver nodded. He understood that even if Charlotte hadn’t said it.
"Annie asked that Olivia stays with me for the time being. I will take her home with me." Charlotte was holding Olivia’s hand.
Oliver glanced at Olivia and smiled faintly at her.
"I’ll leave it to you," Oliver said to Charlotte.
Charlotte nodded. Seeing Olivia with nothing to say, she led her away.
When Charlotte and Justin got home, it was already raining outside. Charlotte decided to soothe them to sleep.
As she watched the children sleeping soundly, she was about to quietly leave the room when a little hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
The tassels by the bed swayed faintly when Charlotte paused.
She turned her head and, in the darkness, she saw Olivia’s eyes glistening.
Fearing that she might lose grip, Olivia’s small hand tightened its hold.
Charlotte returned to the bed, Olivia climbed up and snuggled in Charlotte’s arms.
Like a little kitten, she leaned meekly in Charlotte’s crook.
Olivia didn’t say anything. She just quietly embraced Charlotte.
The rain outside was pattering down, like scattered pearls hitting the windowpane, emitting a soft muffled sound. It was soothing to some, but to others, it only heightened their restlessness.
Olivia’s voice came softly, sounding a little shaky. Charlotte suddenly felt a touch of dampness on her sleeve. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by ɴovelfire.net
"I’m here," Charlotte gently stroked Olivia’s hair, whispering comforting words in her ear.
Charlotte suddenly remembered how Olivia would cry whenever it rained, back when she was only a few months old. No amount of comforting would help.
Only after Olivia learned to walk and talk, did this stop happening.
Charlotte somehow didn’t dare to recall this anymore.
Feeling the slight tremble in the small body in her arms, Charlotte felt her own heart painfully twisted.
"Mommy..." Olivia’s voice, as thin as a mosquito’s hum, was crystal clear in the quiet room.
Her tear-stricken voice cruelly seeped into Charlotte’s ears.
The rain outside gradually got heavier, blotting out the bleak, cold night.
Leaves drenched by the sudden downpour fluttered onto the windowsill. They clung to the window, seemingly longing for the warmth inside.
"Is it because Annie won’t listen... why don’t you want Annie... even forgot about Annie..."
Olivia sobbed softly, her face buried in Charlotte’s bosom, muffling her voice a bit.
"Annie, nobody abandoned you. You have Mommy Charlotte, and Mommy Annie. We all will love you forever. You will always be our most precious baby."
Charlotte gently patted Olivia’s back, gently comforting her.
"Annie, your mommy had no choice, her whole life... she’s been in too much pain..."