Chapter 6: Mother And Daughter

Words : 1808 Updated : Mar 27th, 2025

"Mary!" Jimmy exclaimed, surprised. The visitor was his neighbor, Mary, who lived in the same alley. After Marilyn separated from Wayne after giving birth to Jimmy, Marilyn's life became extremely difficult. During that time, Mary provided significant help to their family and was one of Marilyn's closest friends in the alley. "Is it really you, Jimmy?" Mary's aged face lit up with joy as she hurriedly grabbed Jimmy's arm as if to make sure it was truly him. Mary watched Jimmy grow up, and he could see how genuinely happy she was to see him. "Yes, Mary, please come in and have a seat," Jimmy said, helping Mary sit on the sofa inside. After exchanging warm pleasantries, Jimmy inquired about his mother. It turned out that after Jimmy went to prison, his mother went to the provincial city. Whatever happened there, she returned looking much thinner and soon fell gravely ill, passing away a few months later. Jimmy didn't need to think twice; he knew his mother must have gone to the Yale Manor and could imagine her indignities there. His mother had always been healthy, and Jimmy found it hard to believe that a single illness could take her life, especially since it happened right after she visited the Yale family. This had to be related to them. The thought stirred Jimmy's emotions again. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms unnoticed. Tears welled up in his eyes again. Even when facing the inmates of Xenos Prison, the foreign forces beyond the Northwest Gate, and warriors of great renown, he had never been afraid enough to shed tears. But thinking of his lonely, lost mother overwhelmed him with grief. Seeing this, Mary was equally heartbroken. Such a wonderful woman, graceful and gentle—how could she be gone so suddenly? Mary sighed softly and said, "Jimmy, it's all in the past, and with the New Year approaching, you should find time to visit your mother's grave." Jimmy realized he had almost lost track of time; it was already the twentieth day of the twelfth month, just ten days before New Year's Eve. "Yes, I will go," he replied, holding back tears. Mary then gave him the exact location of his mother's grave, located in a cemetery on the outskirts of Larkhaven. "Mary, did you help with my mom's funeral?" Jimmy asked earnestly. Mary shook her head. "A beautiful young woman came to handle it at that time." "A beautiful young woman?" "Yes!" "Do you know her name?" Jimmy pressed. Mary shook her head again, as she hadn't asked for the woman's identity. Jimmy sighed, not pursuing the matter further. He then escorted Mary out, preparing to buy some things to take to the cemetery. Jimmy currently lived on the outskirts of Larkhaven, just a few kilometers from the cemetery. It was still early, just past noon, and he couldn't resist going to see for himself. He stopped by a candle shop at the cemetery entrance and purchased incense, candles, and a wreath. His mother's grave was at the center of the cemetery's hillside, offering a broad view of the valley below. According to geomancy, it was an excellent spot. To his surprise, incense was still burning at his mother's grave, accompanied by some fruits and a wreath, indicating a recent visitor. Jimmy found this peculiar since he had no known relatives in Larkhaven, and it seemed unlikely that anyone else would visit his mother's grave. The man quickly cast his gaze down the hill. The winding road was bustling with people, many carrying offerings as they moved up and down the mountain. It was already the end of the year, and many had come to pay respects to their loved ones, but he couldn't discern anything unusual. Disappointed, he arranged the fruits he brought, lit the incense, and cleaned the headstone. Kneeling, he gazed at the black-and-white photo embedded there, his heart sinking into a pit of sorrow that engulfed him completely. At that moment, he felt like a lonely child longing to see his mother again, chat with her, hear her tender nagging—yet he knew such moments were gone forever. Meanwhile, a woman carrying a little girl slowly walked toward a BMW at the foot of the cemetery hill. The woman was young and beautiful, with a graceful figure and snow-white skin. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a traditional women's suit with sunglasses. The little girl, about four or five years old, was adorably cute with large, clear eyes and chubby cheeks that invited a pinch. "Mommy, are we going back now?" she asked in a sweet, childish voice, resting her head on the woman's shoulder. "Yes, Lyra. After visiting grandma, it's time to head home," the woman replied, opening the car door, placing the little girl in her seat, and affectionately patting her head. The woman walked around to the driver's side of the car, got in, and took off her sunglasses, tossing them aside. Just as she was about to start the car, the little girl poked her head out, her clear eyes looking at the woman as she pouted, asking softly, "Mommy, other people have mommies, daddies, and grandmas. Why don't I have a daddy?" The woman's hand froze on the steering wheel, her heart churning with mixed emotions—sadness, memories, and resentment. Momentarily taken aback by her daughter's mention of that man, she found herself unable to remain calm despite her business acumen. Years ago, the Yale family had framed Jimmy with numerous charges, including rape, and even arranged for a "victim" to identify him in court. Jimmy, unable to defend himself, had to bear these false accusations. When the news broke, Sophie learned that the man she had loved deeply was supposedly such a person. Deciding to break up with him, she discovered a month later that she was pregnant. When Sophie tried to find out where Jimmy was imprisoned, she learned that Marilyn had passed away in the hospital. After arranging Marilyn's funeral, she still couldn't locate Jimmy's prison but ultimately decided to keep the child. This made her a disgrace to her family and a laughingstock of Larkhaven. Heartless man! Callous soul! Sophie bit her lip, mentally cursing that man with every word she could muster before gently stroking the little girl's head with her hand, smiling softly. "Your daddy went far, far away," she said.

Chapter 6: Mother And Daughter

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