Chapter 540
“Pursuer?” Fiona glanced at Theo, then turned her curious gaze to Anathea. “Nat, you and Gregory…”
The mention of Gregory stirred something in Anathea’s eyes, but disappeared as quickly as it came. “We divorced.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Fiona’s face.
But seeing that Anathea looked healthy, she finally let out a breath and reached out to gently stroke her cheek. She said softly,” It’s okay. Everything will pass. I will always support whatever choices you make.”
Smiling, Anathea gave a hum.
Just then, a nurse came in to apply Fiona’s medication. Anathea was about to help her sit up.
“I got it,” Theo offered quickly, stepping in without hesitation. He took care of everything without needing Anathea to lift a finger.
Fiona noticed the lively spark in Theo’s eyes and how his gaze kept drifting to Anathea. They were full of open admiration and affection.
A thoughtful glint appeared in Fiona’s eyes.
“Mrs. Jacobson, have you eaten yet? Let me go grab you something.” Theo offered.
“It’s okay. I’ll go.” Anathea started to get up, but Theo gently pressed her back down into the seat.
“You haven’t seen Mrs. Jacobson in ages. Stay and catch up. I’ll take care of it.”
Before leaving, he even thoughtfully asked Fiona about any dietary restrictions.
As Fiona watched Theo’s retreating figure, she gave a small nod before turning to Anathea with a knowing smile. “So, what’s the story with this Mr. Harrington?”
He had called himself Anathea’s pursuer. So that must mean…
“Don’t overthink it, Mom. We’re just friends,” Anathea replied while slicing up an apple for Fiona.
“Just friends?” Fiona’s smile deepened. “Doesn’t look that way to me-”
Before she could finish, Anathea promptly popped a piece of apple into her mouth and changed the subject. “Mom, do you remember anything from before I turned six?”
Fiona froze for a second. “Why are you asking that all of a sudden?
She hid it well, but Anathea still caught the flash of emotion in her eyes.
“Actually…” Anathea exhaled slowly and decided to tell the truth. found my biological parents.”
Fiona said nothing at first. She simply looked at Anathea in silence.
The air in the room grew still.
Anathea had expected Fiona to take it hard. After all, they had been mother and daughter for 20 years, and now she was suddenly saying she had found her birth mother.
But Fiona didn’t react the way Anathea feared. Her voice was gentle when she asked, “Are they good to you?”
“Yeah, they are.
N
Grace had been ready to empty out the entire Lancaster residence just to give her the best of everything. Even Zach, the famously stoic head of the Lancaster family, had tears in his eyes the moment he saw Anathea.
Raw emotion wouldn’t lie. They had waited 20 years to welcome their daughter home.
Chapter 540
+25 BONUS
But Anathea’s bond with Adam and Fiona was also 20 years deep. If she had to choose, she didn’t want to give them up.
That was why she felt torn. She quietly watched Fiona for any sign of how she truly felt.
But in the next second, Fiona’s face softened with relief. She reached out and pulled Anathea into a hug. “That’s wonderful news.
Anathea froze.
Fiona went on, “The first time I met you, you had already lost your memory. You held my hand and kept calling me Mom. That was the happiest day of my life. Just hours earlier, the doctors had told me I couldn’t have children, and then I met you.”
She gently patted Anathea’s back, the same way she used to when comforting the little girl Anathea once was. “You were a gift from above. I always wanted to keep you close, but more than anything, I want you to be happy. So stop worrying about me or your dad. Just live your life well. That’s all we’ll ever need.”
“Mom…” Anathea hugged her tight. Her voice was thick with tears, and her eyes burned.
“Oh, don’t cry.” Fiona smiled as she wiped away the tears from Anathea’s face. “Finding your birth family is something to celebrate. You should be happy, okay?”
LIKHART 341
