Me & Child: Fake Lady’s Stepping Stones Chapter 09

Me & Child: Fake Lady’s Stepping Stones Chapter 09 Deep-Rooted Wounds.

By now, I had already reached my mentor’s facility.

Due to my health condition, I couldn’t dive straight into the experiments.

My mentor even arranged for a top physician conducting research nearby to see me.

With their help, my health gradually recovered. While the chances of me ever getting pregnant again remained slim, my overall lifespan was no longer at risk.

My original plan was to wait a few years-until I had fully recovered and built up some influence of my own-then use the evidence I had gathered to send every one of them to prison.

But I never expected that just one year later, during a single day off from the lab, I would learn that my greatest enemy was already dead.

Others might not understand, but I knew better.

The method used had Dad written all over it.

No one could lay a finger on Cassie without Dad and Tyler allowing it, meaning Dad either permitted it or

did it himself.

How strange. Had the doting father and his beloved daughter finally turned on each other this brutally?

I was mildly surprised, but had no intention of staying out in the open.

In my original plan, my revenge was still four years away. As for now, I never thought I’d see Dad again this

soon.

He stood there, looking as if he was seeing something he couldn’t believe.

I gave him a casual once-over. I never expected that in just one year, he’d aged so much. He looked like a man in his sixties.

His once dark hair had turned completely silver, and his posture was badly stooped.

I had no desire to talk to him.

After that quick look, I turned to leave.

But he stepped forward and stopped me.

When my eyes met his, he awkwardly pulled his hand back. He stared at me with disbelief and something like grief.

He said, “Monica, I knew you were alive. I’ve finally found you.

“I failed you. I trusted the wrong person and destroyed your life.

“You were the real victim, but I kept trusting your tormentor. It must have hurt so much when you were injured, when they took you into surgery.

“When you learned the truth, it must have been agony. You must hate me. I’m so sorry, Monica. This is all my fault.”

His hand trembled as he reached out to touch my face, but I moved away.

I looked at him coldly. “Are you done? Can you move now?”

Dad gave me a bitter smile. “Monica, I never expected your forgiveness. If someone hadn’t sent me your photo, I would have followed you in death a year ago.

“I just want you to know I’m truly sorry. A part of me is foolish enough to hope you might still come home.

“Even if you never forgive me, just stay by my side. Tyler and I will do everything we can to make it up to

you.

“You don’t ever have to forgive me. I just need to see you, to know you’re happy and healthy. I don’t matter

anymore.”

I let out a cold laugh. “Why should I degrade myself by living under the same roof as two murderers? Ever since I found out the truth, every time I see you makes me want to vomit.

“What exactly can you make up to me? Can you return my children to me? Can you bring them back to life?

“You can’t do any of that. What you can try to make up for isn’t what I want. Do you know what I want right now?

“I want you and Tyler to go to prison.”

His head dropped in despair. Then, with extreme care, he removed a small vial hanging from a chain around his neck.

Dad said. “These are the two children’s ashes. After I learned what Cassie had done, I had them dug up. I’ve carried them with me ever since, hoping one day I could return them to you.”

I halted mid-step and swiftly snatched the vial from his hand.

I could feel it—a pull of blood and connection. O

My children were inside.

Dad continued, “If Tyler and I being brought to justice is what you want, then I will turn myself in.

“Monica, when you’re on your own after this, please take good care of yourself.”

Before leaving, he turned back to me and spoke with difficulty. “Tyler was driving when he hallucinated

you. He crashed and is now permanently disabled.

“Before we go to prison, would you see him just once?

“He says his only wish now is to see your face, even if just once.”

“No.” I refused without hesitation.

I added, “I don’t want to see him, alive or dead.”

Dad stood there in silence for a long time, then finally walked away, unsteady on his feet.

I knew he would repeat every word I said to Tyler.

Whatever Tyler’s reaction would be, I no longer cared.

Before my break ended, I received news that it was all over.

Dad had wheeled Tyler into the police station, and they had confessed to everything.

They had committed too many crimes. Given Dad’s failing health, I knew this time I would likely never see him again.

Not long after, the Kent Group changed hands, and a massive sum of money appeared in my account.

I invested half into the laboratory and donated the other half to a foundation protecting women and children.

Then I returned to the lab.

Barring any surprises, I’d probably stay in the lab for the rest of my life.

I used to pin my hopes of escaping hell on family and marriage.

Unfortunately, neither path worked.

It wasn’t until I started relying entirely on myself that I truly escaped the hell of my youth.

The shadows in my heart were finally clearing. These deep-rooted wounds would slowly heal with time.

In the end, I’d be free.