Chapter 10

Two weeks later, Alexander's assistant finally brought him some good news.

"Mr. Carter, we found Mrs. Carter's location."

At the time, I was working as a caregiver in a small orphanage in a quiet town in France.

They were severely understaffed, and the elderly director didn't even ask for my ID when I applied. I remember asking her if she wasn't afraid I might be someone dangerous.

She just smiled kindly and shook her head.

"There's sorrow in your eyes, the kind only a mother who's lost a child carries. It's hard for me to believe someone who grieves for children could ever harm them."

"We have many little angels here. I hope they can bring some light back into your heart."

The job came with a modest salary, room, and board. The conditions weren't luxurious, but they were warm and safe.

My favorite part of the day was preparing meals for the kids, breakfast, lunch, dinner. These were recipes I had learned for my own child. He never got to taste them, but now they fed dozens of little mouths, and watching the children eat with joy helped me heal, piece by piece.

I had lost my child.

But here, I became "Mama Olivia" to over a hundred others.

One day, a little girl from the orphanage was adopted by a kind Chinese-American couple, both doctors, warm and genuine people who clearly adored children.

As usual, I packed her a beautiful lunchbox, hugged her tightly, and whispered blessings in her ear, wishing her a happy family, good health, and a long, beautiful life.

She kissed me on the cheek and smiled.

"Mama Olivia, I'll miss you. Goodbye."

Then she added innocently, "And tell the man behind you goodbye too. He's been here watching for days."

I froze.

The car pulled away, and only then did I slowly turn around.

Alexander was standing there.

He wore the same clothes he'd worn when he first confessed his feelings to me, soft, familiar, nostalgic. His eyes were filled with longing.

"Olivia," he said quietly, "these past weeks, I kept wondering, if none of that had happened, if our baby had grown up healthy and safe, what would you have looked like as a mother?"

"And now I see you. You're beautiful."

I stared at him, cold and unmoved.

"What's the point of saying that now?"

He smiled bitterly and lowered his gaze.

"Olivia, I know I don't deserve to stand here. I've sinned too deeply. I've been here for a month, just watching from a distance. That was enough for me."

"But people are greedy. I missed you so much that I put on these old clothes just to come and ask, shamelessly: If I truly realize my mistakes… If I spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you… could we ever go back?"

I let out a soft, bitter laugh.

"Alexander, before you ask that, answer me this, can my child come back to life?"

"Don't talk to me about making up for it. A man like you standing at the gate of an orphanage makes me want to call the police."

He was silent for a long time. His eyes were glassy with unshed tears.

Finally, he said with a faint, self-deprecating smile,

"You're right. I understand now. I'll leave. I won't disturb you again."

"Your old divorce agreement, it wasn't enough. I signed a new one. This isn't compensation, it's just what you deserve."

"I know you don't even want to be near me. I'll leave it on the ground. You can pick it up after I'm gone."

"Olivia… I'm leaving now. Wherever I am, every minute, I'll be praying for your peace, your safety, your happiness."

"Goodbye."

He gave me one last look, so full of longing, so reluctant, and then turned away.

As I watched his back disappear down the road, I thought…

Maybe this was what I looked like all those times I sat alone at my prenatal appointments, staring out the window until dawn.

Only now, the one left behind… wasn't me.

The next day, a massive sum was deposited into my account.

It was what Alexander had specified in the updated divorce agreement.

No stock. No real estate. Just cash.

A few days later, I learned why.

Alexander had turned himself in.

He publicly confessed to conspiring to harm his wife… and to directly causing our child's death.

The Carter Group's stock plummeted. Their businesses crumbled. Even their properties couldn't find buyers.

"Such a cold-blooded monster deserves to die," people said.

I don't know if the court sentenced him to death.

Because before the verdict came out, Alexander committed suicide.

With the money he left behind, I opened children's shelters and aid organizations around the world.

I hope that every child, everywhere, can grow up safe… and live a long, happy life.

(The End)