Chapter 143: Give Me Back My Child

On the tenth, Amanda Vance took the day off.

Felix Ford already knew that today was her birthday. He also knew it was the anniversary of his grandmother’s death. Just thinking about it made his heart ache.

’Mom must be so sad,’ he thought. ’What should have been the happiest day of the year was when she lost the person she loved most. Every year, this must be the most painful day for her.’

He sighed and snuggled deeper into her arms.

Amanda Vance opened her eyes and held the child a little tighter. After a moment, she spoke. "Jean, let’s get up early today. Mom’s going to take you somewhere."

"Okay." Knowing she was taking him to see his grandmother, Felix Ford didn’t linger in bed. He obediently got up, picked out a black outfit to wear, and removed the gaudy stickers from his backpack.

Amanda Vance was also wearing a long black dress. She casually grabbed a hat and put it on. "Let’s go."

"Mhm."

Outside, Hayden Grant was leaning against his car. When he saw them come out, he hastily stubbed out his cigarette and strode forward. "Megan?"

He had known her for a long time and was aware of her family situation. Worried something might happen to her, he had come over first thing in the morning.

"I’m fine, don’t worry. I’m just taking Jean to see his grandmother. Speaking of which, this is the first time I’m taking him. My mom doesn’t even know she has a grandson yet." Her smile was a bit strained as she said this.

Hayden Grant looked at her, his heart aching for her. "Do you need me to go with you?"

"You don’t have to."

’This is a family matter. It wouldn’t be right to involve him today.’

Understanding her meaning, a flicker of disappointment crossed Hayden Grant’s eyes. For once, he didn’t offer any witty remarks. Instead, he pulled a bouquet of lilies from his car and handed it to her.

They were simple and elegant, suitable for a memorial, and also happened to be Vivian Sullivan’s favorite flower when she was alive.

"Thank you." Amanda Vance took the flowers. "I’ll be going then."

"Okay. Go on."

With a slight nod, Amanda carefully placed the flowers on the passenger seat, gave him a small wave, and drove away.

The autumn wind was bleak, sweeping across the fallen leaves and a field of low-lying tombs, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

Vivian Sullivan was buried in a cemetery in the Aethelburg Suburbs. She had a single plot, which had been her last wish. She didn’t want to be buried with Holly Vance, and since Holly Vance had no desire to ever see her again, he had naturally agreed.

Amanda Vance held Felix Ford’s hand without a word as they walked slowly forward. When she found Vivian Sullivan’s headstone, she saw that another bouquet of flowers was already there.

Roses.

’Mom liked simple things; she didn’t care for vibrant roses. In fact, she didn’t just dislike them—she despised them. I’m not sure of the exact reason, I just know that she would lose control every time she saw a rose.’

’Who left these?’

She casually tossed the roses into a nearby trash can, swept away the fallen petals, and only then did Amanda place the lilies on the ground.

Her fingertips traced the image of the gently smiling woman on the headstone, her eyes filled with nostalgia.

The words she wanted to say remained unspoken, voiced only in the silence of her heart.

Finally, she looked at Felix Ford and said, "Jean, come and see your grandma."

"Mhm." Felix Ford obediently walked closer, looked at the photo, and exclaimed, "Grandma is so beautiful."

Amanda had only been five when Vivian Sullivan passed away. Her mother hadn’t even been thirty. She was beautiful, looking like a young woman in her early twenties. Her eyes were clean and clear, holding a faint warmth, and the corners of her mouth were always turned up in a slight smile. In Amanda’s memory, she had loved to laugh.

Felix looked at the picture. He wasn’t sure if it was because of their blood relation, but he felt an instant sense of closeness. ’If Grandma were still alive,’ he thought, ’Mom would probably smile more, too.’

He could tell that, most of the time, his mother’s smiles hid a deep pain. She seemed indifferent to many things, numb to the world around her.

His heart ached for a mother like that.

Lost in thought, he couldn’t help but take her hand.

Amanda Vance looked at him, a little surprised.

Felix Ford turned his head to her. "Mom, can I have a little private word with Grandma?"

"Of course." Amanda patted his head and moved a short distance away—far enough that she couldn’t hear him, but close enough that he could see her just by looking up.

After a glance in her direction, Felix Ford squatted down, unzipped his backpack, and took out a pile of things. He arranged them one by one in front of the headstone and said, "Grandma, these are all my favorite toys. I’m giving them to you to play with. I hope you like them."

"But I’ve seen Mom looking at them, and she seems to like them, so I figured you would, too. That’s why I brought them."

He glanced at Amanda, then cupped his hand over his mouth and lowered his voice. "Grandma, I’m going to tell you a secret. I’m not really Jean Vance. My name is Felix Ford, and I’m your other grandson. We’re twins. Amazing, right? He’s with Dad right now, so he couldn’t come today. He asked me to talk to you a little extra for him."

"Jean Vance is way more amazing than I am. He’s the one who’s been with Mom all these years. I’m so jealous of him."

"I know Mom has suffered a lot. From now on, I’ll protect her and won’t let anyone bully her ever again..."

He went on and on, and at the end, he even raised his little hand and made a vow, as if to prove he would keep every one of his promises.

Amanda couldn’t hear what he was saying, but watching his gestures, she could guess. Her gaze fell on his earnest little face, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. Her somber mood slowly began to lift.

’Even though Mom is gone, I’ve had Jean with me these past few years, so I haven’t been lonely.’

’He’s usually so quiet. I didn’t expect him to have so much to say right now.’

Amanda stood where she was, not wanting to rush him.

But her ringing phone urged her on instead. It was a call from Mr. Lynch.

’He knows I have something on today. For him to be calling now...’

Her heart sank. She answered, and Mr. Lynch’s voice came through. "Master, do you have a moment?"

"Just tell me what’s wrong."

She could hear a commotion in the background. The voice sounded familiar, and a suspicion formed in Amanda’s mind.

Sure enough, Mr. Lynch glanced at the person in front of him, his voice filled with annoyance. "Someone named Shirley Vance is causing a scene at the hospital. She says she won’t leave until she sees you."

She was making a huge fuss. When security tried to remove her, she just started causing trouble at the hospital entrance where there were even more people. He’d had no choice but to call Amanda.

After hearing this, Amanda’s expression darkened. "I’m on my way."

"Okay."

Meanwhile, Felix Ford saw her answer the phone and noticed her expression wasn’t good. He quickly finished what he was saying, then ran over to her. "Mom, is something wrong?"

"Yes, I have to go back to the hospital. Come on, I’ll take you home first."

"Okay."

Sensing her bad mood, Felix Ford didn’t insist on going with her.

She dropped him off at the Grant Family’s home as usual, then drove to the hospital. As soon as she entered the Traditional Chinese Medicine department, she heard a commotion. She barely had to look before she saw a crowd gathered up ahead.

Someone in the crowd said, "Dr. Vance is here," and the onlookers slowly parted. Amanda then saw the person sitting on the floor—hair disheveled, body covered in scratch marks.

Shirley Vance saw her too. With a piercing shriek, she scrambled up from the floor and lunged at her. "Amanda Vance! Give me back my child!"