Four years later.
Airport security exit.
"Bea, be careful ahead, let mommy push the suitcase!"
Elara Don watched her little darling ahead, bent over pushing the suitcase, her serene face lit with soft light.
"Uh, mommy, I need to go to the bathroom, wait here for me a moment."
The little one stopped, holding a jar containing insects, his bright black eyes sparkling like the brightest stars in the night, filled with starlight.
"Okay, the bathroom is over there, would you like mommy to accompany you?"
Elara pointed to the restroom not far away, asking gently.
"Mommy, I'm not a three-year-old child, I'm not that dumb!"
The little guy's delicate, adorable face was full of pride. He pulled Elara to sit on a chair, handed her the jar, then ran towards the restroom on his small legs.
"Run slower!"
Elara curled her lips, watching the little fellow's tiny figure, her thoughts wandering.
This is her son, Harry Soo.
Her youngest son who survived four years ago.
Back then, she gave birth to him, begged the doctor, and finally moved him to show her mercy and let her go.
So she secretly left the hospital with her newborn child and fled abroad overnight.
And her first child...
Elara's smile dimmed slightly.
The child she never saw, unknown fate, unknown gender, was her deepest pain!
This time, she's back partly for work and partly hoping to find her child's whereabouts!
In the restroom, Harry Soo relieved his bladder, finally feeling comfortable.
He let out a long sigh, zipped up his pants, tiptoed to wash his hands, and hopped out.
His soft black hair bounced on top of his head, appearing particularly lively.
"Mommy, I'm done! Let's go!"
"Run slower! Watch out not to fall!"
Elara smiled, squatted, and caught the little one, "Let mommy see, there's a water stain on your clothes! Let's wipe it off."
"Okay! Where's my little bug?"
"Bea, let's make a deal to play less with bugs in the future."
"..."
A masked little figure at the corner stared intently at the affectionate mother and son, something flashing in those bright eyes.
That child actually looks just like him!
"Little master, the washroom is here, I, you..."
The bodyguard beside him looked constipated, somewhat urgent to use the restroom.
The little figure waved, signaling the bodyguard to go himself.
"Little master, I'll be right out, stay here and don't move."
The bodyguard couldn't hold it in, respectfully advised before quickly entering the restroom.
The little figure's gaze remained glued on Elara and her son.
A moment later, he suddenly walked short-legged toward them.
Five minutes later, the bodyguard emerged from the restroom, relieved finally of his physiological needs, only to face the empty waiting hall, suddenly turning ashen!
The little master was gone!
The little one always pampered by the master slipped away from his watch!
It's over!
He's doomed!
"Benny, where is the little master?"
A man's deep voice sounded behind him.
The bodyguard felt a chill over his scalp, turned swiftly, keeping his head bowed.
"Report to Mr. Hawke, the little master...he's gone missing!"
"What are you saying?"
The man's voice deepened, threaded with boundless ice, sending a chill down one's spine.
The bodyguard swallowed hard, "Well, it's like this..."
...
Skyridge Apartments.
Elara looked at the clean and tidy three-bedroom, her lips pursed tightly.
This house is her mother's last remnant she left for her.
After being thrown out by her father back then, she lived here.
Recently, due to work, she had to settle in Sea City; thankfully there's still a place to stay.
"Mommy, are we going to live here from now on and never go back?"
The little guy finished touring the three-bedroom, holding his insect jar, ran over to Elara and asked.
Elara bent down and touched his soft hair, "Not likely to go back soon. Do you want to go back?"
"Not really. Many kids there laughed at me for not having a father and being a foreigner, so it doesn't matter if we go or not."
The little guy toyed with the jar, replied indifferently.
Elara's smile faltered slightly, eyes revealing a hint of anguish.
She bent and kissed the little guy's cheek, "Bea, sorry, it's all mommy's fault that you got laughed at."
The little one was born without seeing his father and grew up abroad.
It's her fault he had to endure ridicule at such a young age.
"Mommy, don't be sad! As long as I'm with mommy, anywhere is fine. Also, I don't like anyone taking mommy away from me. I only want mommy; no one can take you away!"
The little one wrapped his arms around Elara's neck, coaxing affectionately.
Elara was instantly healed.
She pinched the little one's tiny nose, smiled, "You're really my precious darling! Okay, play at home for a while, mommy will go buy some groceries to cook you big drumsticks you love to eat."
"Okay, also sweet and sour pork, garlic shrimp."
"Alright! You little foodie!"
"..."
Thankfully, these past four years she had this little one by her side to comfort her through tough times.
Elara closed the door and took the elevator downstairs.
Stepping outside the apartment, she looked up at the vast sky, taking a deep breath.
Setting foot on this homeland once more, her feelings were unordinary!
Elara pursed her lips, organizing her bag beside her, preparing to cross the street.
Beeps.
A car sped from not far away.
The swift speed stirred up billows of dust.
Elara jumped, her forward step recoiled, taking two steps back.
She stumbled upon a stone beneath her, fell down on her bottom.
Whoa!
The driver's speeding, rushing as if to reincarnate?
Just a bit more and she would have been hit by the car!
Elara, frightened out of her wits, stared at the car that suddenly stopped in front of her, secretly griping in her heart.
The car door opened, someone got out.
Roy Lane's shoes were spotless.
Straight dress pants wrapped around his two long legs.
A white shirt tucked into trousers, highlighting the man's proportionate, slender figure.
Further up, a sharply defined handsome face.
What a handsome man!
Elara stared dumbly at the man emerging from the car, her eyes moved.
Uh, this man not only handsome, but also strangely familiar!
Yes!
At first glance, his features bore eighty percent resemblance to her son's!
Elara's beautiful eyes fixed on the man, momentarily dazed into stillness.
Damon Hawke looked down at her, meeting her direct gaze, his fine eyebrows knitted, his deep black eyes flickered with annoyance.
He glanced around, eyes resting on the faintly swaying roadside greenery, jaw clenched, turned away to leave.
Elara: "..."
Almost hit her, and just leaves?
Not even a word?
How rude!
"Hey, stop right there!"
Elara patted her pants, got up, glaring at the man's tall back, shouted.
Damon paused his stride, slightly sideways, icy tone, "What's more? My car has a dashcam; I'm sure I didn't hit you! If you want to get my attention through cons, you're using the wrong method!"