Chapter 2: Mom, I Finally Found You

Amanda Vance raised an eyebrow. "It’s only been a little while. Don’t you recognize your mom anymore?"

’It really is Mom!’

Felix Ford’s nose tingled and his eyes welled up with tears. He threw his arms around her leg.

Feeling something wet on her leg, Amanda Vance furrowed her brow. ’He’s crying?’

Her expression hardened and her voice dropped. "Did someone bully you?"

’No way. Who could possibly bully me? I’m always the one bullying others.’

’I’m just so excited! I finally found my mommy, WAAAH!’

Just as he was about to speak, a man suddenly ran out from inside. He had a brutish, fierce-looking face. Seeing Felix, he strode right over. "Hey kid, you were the one talking about me just now, weren’t you?"

’The constipated mister?’

Felix Ford covered his nose, a look of disgust on his face. "Mister, stay away from me. You stink."

’He smells like poop.’

’That voice, that tone... it’s him, all right!’

The man grew angry and reached out a hand. "You little brat, watch your mouth! Where are your manners?"

Amanda Vance’s eyes turned cold. ’Trying to hit my son right in front of me? He’ll have to get through me first.’

She scooped her son up in one fluid motion and stuck out her leg, tripping the man. The man was heavyset to begin with, and he had just lunged forward, determined to teach the little brat a lesson. He was using so much force that he couldn’t stop in time. With a howl of pain, he fell flat on his face. She walked over and stepped on him, glancing down coolly. Her tone was icy. "A red nose, a sallow complexion, and pale lips. It really is constipation—stubborn constipation, at that. You should keep your mouth shut. You reek."

’So cool!’

Felix Ford gazed at her, his face full of admiration.

Amanda Vance looked down and saw her son’s adoring expression, finding it a little funny. Just then, a boarding announcement came over the speakers. Without giving it much more thought, she carried her son toward the gate. Noticing the small backpack he was wearing, she asked casually, "Where did the backpack come from?"

Felix Ford didn’t say anything.

Fortunately, Amanda Vance didn’t press the issue. "Did another one of your little friends give it to you? Our Jean is just so popular."

’Jean?’

Felix Ford’s eyes darted around. ’She’s definitely mistaken me for someone else,’ he thought. ’But why? Could there be someone else in the world who looks exactly like me?’

’Twins!’

The idea flashed through both of their minds at the same time.

Meanwhile, Jean Vance kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep, but he was listening to the bodyguards’ conversation. When he heard their destination was Aethelburg, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He and his mom were also headed to Aethelburg on this trip back to the country.

’But will Mom be worried sick when she can’t find me?’ He suddenly started to regret his decision. ’That was too impulsive.’

But the plane was already in mid-air. He had no way to message his mom and could only wait until they landed to contact her.

As for Felix Ford, when he found out they were going to Aethelburg, he started to panic. ’What do I do? I just barely managed to escape. What if Dad finds me when I go back?’

Sensing his restlessness, Amanda Vance looked at him with confusion. "What’s wrong?"

"N-Nothing." Felix Ford guiltily averted his gaze, looking down and poking his index fingers together.

’My son does that whenever he lies.’

Amanda Vance saw through it but didn’t call him out. She patted his head and soothed him in a soft voice, "Jean, I know you’ll miss your Mr. Jobs and Miss Yuni, but I promise, we’ll come back to see them as soon as we’re done with our business, okay?"

"Okay." Felix Ford steadied himself. ’I just have to make sure to avoid Dad. The important thing is, I’ve found my mom.’

With that thought, he stole another glance at Amanda Vance, unable to stop the sigh of admiration in his heart. ’Mom is so pretty. Prettier than anyone I’ve ever seen.’

Noticing his little movement, Amanda Vance smoothed down the hair he had just ruffled and booped him on the nose. "What are you looking at me for?"

"Mommy’s pretty."

Amanda Vance raised an eyebrow. ’Why does it feel like my son’s personality changed after just a few minutes away from me? He’d never praise me so directly before.’

Feeling her scrutinizing gaze, Felix Ford’s heart skipped a beat. ’Oh no, has she found me out?’

He carefully took her hand—not daring to hold it completely, just touching her fingertips—and called out tentatively, "Mommy?"

Seeing the anxiety in his eyes, Amanda Vance cast aside her stray thoughts and enclosed his hand in her own. "It’s nothing. Our Jean is handsome too."

Felix Ford let out a sigh of relief, his eyes curving into a smile. He said in a sweet, childish voice, "Because I look like Mommy."

Amanda Vance couldn’t help but chuckle, gently pinching his chubby little cheek. "Why are you such a sweet talker today? Did you sneak some candy? Come on, let Mommy check."

Felix Ford obediently opened his little mouth. Amanda Vance nodded with mock seriousness. "Mmm, you’re right. Very sweet."

’My son has always been independent,’ Amanda Vance thought, a little surprised. ’It was better when he was younger, but as he got older, he rarely interacted with me like this anymore.’ Then another thought occurred to her. ’But this is his first time back in the country. Jean has never been back, so maybe he feels insecure in an unfamiliar place.’

At that thought, she tightened her grip on her son’s hand and patted it gently, comforting him. "It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. Mommy’s here."

"Mhm." ’I’m not afraid,’ he thought.

He tentatively scooted closer to her. Seeing no resistance, he grew bolder and leaned against her.

Amanda Vance chuckled softly and adjusted her position to let him lean more comfortably.

Felix Ford pressed his lips into a smile and took a deep breath. ’Is this what Mommy smells like? It smells so good.’

’I finally found my mommy.’

’This is great.’

「About ten hours later, the plane landed.」

Amanda Vance carried him in one arm and pulled a suitcase with the other.

Felix Ford was draped over her shoulder. Hearing the surrounding commotion, his little eyebrows twitched and he started to wake up. He rubbed his eyes, covered his mouth for a small yawn, and wrapped his arms dependently around her neck. He peeked sideways at her. Seeing her so close, he couldn’t resist snuggling back in. ’This isn’t a dream,’ he thought. ’I really found my mommy.’

"You’re awake," Amanda Vance said casually, glancing at him.

"Mhm." Felix Ford secretly took another sniff of her. ’Mommy smells so good.’

Noticing the sweat on her brow, Felix Ford gave a little kick with his legs. "Mommy, you can put me down. I can walk by myself."

Amanda Vance just assumed her son was feeling shy. He was usually very independent and hadn’t liked being carried much since he turned three. Not thinking much of it, she put him down and took his hand instead.

Her hand was slender and soft. She walked at a slow pace that he could easily keep up with. It wasn’t like with his dad, who always took huge strides, forcing him to jog just to catch up. Sometimes, his dad would even tease him for having short legs.

Thinking of him, Felix Ford’s face filled with disgust. ’And I haven’t even started on what a brute he is.’

’He’s old and has skin as thick as leather. If that’s not a brute, what is?’

Though he was complaining internally, Felix Ford’s face showed none of it. He walked obediently beside Amanda Vance, not daring to speak carelessly for fear of giving himself away.

As they neared the exit, Amanda Vance suddenly stopped and looked down at her son. "Jean, do you remember what Mommy told you?"