Chapter 3

Joseph and Stephen were her precious babies, born through her sheer determination. There was no way she would let Henry take them away.

The problem was, Joseph and Stephen looked so much like Henry that anyone could tell they were his sons.

Julia quickly pushed Joseph and Stephen into a nearby restaurant.

Just as she disappeared through the door, Henry turned around, sensing something.

He thought he heard Julia's voice.

His cold, sharp eyes scanned the crowd for a moment but found nothing.

Henry's already furrowed brow tightened even more.

He must be losing his mind. How could he think that heartless woman, Julia, who abandoned even her own daughter, would come back?

After Julia left, he found out she had fled the country and given birth abroad. Enraged, he chased after her, only to find the newborn child she had abandoned, barely clinging to life.

Julia was a heartless woman. There was no way she would give up her luxurious life abroad to come back here.

Henry turned back and continued instructing his bodyguards to find the missing Tiffany.

Inside the restaurant, Julia breathed a sigh of relief when she saw no one had followed them. She sat down with the kids and ordered them each a small cake, just as Caroline called.

"Sweetie, I'm so sorry. I'm stuck in traffic. I'll be there in about five minutes," Caroline said.

"No problem," Julia said, glancing at Joseph and Stephen enjoying their cakes. She calmed down. "Joe and Steve were hungry, so I got them something to eat. Take your time, no rush."

From the look of Henry earlier, it seemed he had just gotten off a plane too.

If she took the kids out now, they might run into him, which would be trouble.

It was better to wait here until Henry left.

He seemed to be looking for someone, but who could it be that would make him go to such lengths?

Julia's mind wandered as she tapped her fingers on the table, a sign of her anxiety.

"Mommy, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Joseph asked, noticing her frown and looking worried.

Stephen, biting his little fork, asked, "Is Aunt Caroline not coming to pick us up?"

"Of course not." Realizing her state, Julia quickly adjusted her expression. "She is just stuck in traffic. She'll be here soon. Don't worry."

Joseph and Stephen were sure their mom was hiding something. She had just told them to wait for Caroline to take them to eat something nice, but then she suddenly rushed them here, as if avoiding someone.

They exchanged a glance. Since their mom didn't want to talk about it, they decided not to ask more and focused on their cakes, planning to ask later when they had a chance.

Ten minutes later, Caroline texted Julia that she had arrived.

Joseph and Stephen had finished their cakes, and Julia guessed Henry had probably left. She led Joseph and Stephen out of the restaurant stealthily.

Not seeing Henry, Julia breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to leave, she felt someone hugging her leg.

Julia froze and looked down, meeting a pair of bright, shining eyes.

The one hugging her leg was a little girl, about four or five years old.

The girl was very pretty, with delicate features like a cute doll. She wore a pink tutu dress, had bangs, and a fancy butterfly hairband on her head, holding a high-end doll.

From her outfit, she seemed to be from a wealthy family.

Julia looked around but didn't see any adults searching for a child.

She frowned and bent down, asking gently, "Sweetie, did you mistake me for someone else? Where are your parents?"

The little girl's mouth quivered, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Her pitiful look tugged at Julia's heart.

"Sweetie, don't cry. Did you get separated from your parents?" Julia asked softly.

For some reason, looking at the little girl, Julia couldn't help but think of her own daughter who had died shortly after birth.

She had been pregnant with triplets, two boys and a girl. Because of premature birth, all three were very weak.

Especially the youngest daughter, who was so frail she couldn't even cry.

She didn't survive long.

Julia had grieved for a long time, unable to move on, often dreaming of her little daughter's kitten-like cries.

The little girl just cried without speaking, her big eyes wet and making Julia's heart ache.

"Mommy, is she mute?" Joseph asked curiously, leaning in.

"Joe, don't say that." Julia saw the little girl's eyes dim at Joseph's words and felt a pang in her heart.

Joseph puffed his cheeks and politely apologized to the girl, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said you were mute."

"But why aren't you talking?" Stephen asked curiously.

The little girl pouted but still didn't speak.

Julia wanted to ask more, but Caroline called, urging them. "Sweetie, why aren't you out yet?"

Julia was about to answer when she saw Henry's bodyguards approaching, asking people questions.

Recognizing them, Julia's heart tightened.

She didn't want Henry to find her, but the little girl wouldn't let go of her leg, just looking at her with innocent eyes.

Julia had no choice but to look at the girl. "Sweetie, I need to leave urgently. If you can't find your parents, do you want to come with me? I'll help you find them later."

Julia thought the girl would refuse, as kids nowadays were wary of strangers.

But to her surprise, the girl looked at her for a moment and then nodded.

Julia had no choice but to take her along.

She led the kids, avoiding the bodyguards' sight, and reached the exit.

From a distance, she saw Caroline in her business attire, looking around.

Seeing them, Caroline waved enthusiastically and came over. "Joe, Steve, I missed you so much!"

Caroline rushed over and hugged Joseph and Stephen tightly, showering them with kisses.

She then noticed the little girl Julia was holding and paused. "Sweetie, where did you find such a pretty little girl?"

"It's a long story!" Julia kept looking back, wary. "This isn't the place to talk. Let's leave first."

Seeing Julia's tension, Caroline found it strange but didn't ask, instead leading them to the car and quickly starting it.

As they drove away, Henry and his bodyguards stormed out of the exit.