"I just brought you to this city, unfamiliar with everything, and each day I could only take you to sleep at the station. The money I had ran out in just a couple of days. When I was with your father, he spoiled and never let work, let alone get a job, so I had no idea what to do. People wouldn’t hire with a child, so I went to the construction site next to the station. The foreman took pity on and took in. I carried you on my back while working, couldn’t compete with others in strength, and was often scolded," Catherine Yardley said, her tone carrying a hint of laughter.
It sounded like a nonchalant story, yet Shannon Quinn felt a heaviness in her heart.
"The weather was hot, and I didn’t have much milk, nor could I afford formula. You were never full. Then you fell ill those two days; you kept crying on my back. After just a few days of work, another woman at the construction site told that with such a small child, it wasn’t sustainable. There happened to be a welfare institution a few kiloters away, and she told to take you there. She said it wasn’t a matter of you suffering with , but that I might not be able to raise you..."
Catherine Yardley choked up and took a deep breath, saying, "I couldn’t bear it, but I was afraid sothing would really happen if it went on. That night you got a high fever, crying all night, and at midnight, she and I held you and left you at the welfare institution’s door..."
She didn’t continue, instead glancing at Shannon Quinn, her eyes moist with guilt.
"Shannon, I never thought I’d see you again... She advised at that ti to work hard, earn money, and once I had the ans, I could co back to the institution to bring you ho. But then a lot happened, and all I knew was that the people who adopted you were in this city. I’ve always wanted to find you, but also feared finding you."
Shannon Quinn drew a deep breath and didn’t ask about what happened afterward. Just then Julian Yardley returned, and Catherine Yardley quickly collected her emotions.
"Back so soon?" Julian Yardley put down his things, glanced at Shannon Quinn washing vegetables, and teased, "So diligent? Like a daughter-in-law visiting."
Shannon Quinn frowned, about to scold him, but Catherine Yardley reprimanded, "Don’t talk nonsense!"
Julian Yardley chuckled and turned to go play with Leo.
He had a bit of childlike nature himself, making it easy to get along with kids.
There is a difference between n and won taking care of children. Shannon Quinn always felt that it was thanks to Liam Sterling often accompanying Leo that Leo’s personality turned out to be bright and cheerful.
The al was served, and the family sat around the small table.
Shannon Quinn’s thoughts were still lingering on what Catherine Yardley had just said, completely changing her view of Catherine Yardley in her heart.
"Mom, didn’t you buy so toys for the kids before? Why don’t you bring them out?" Sheila Yardley suddenly ntioned.
Catherine Yardley imdiately stood up and said, "Ah, look at my mory, I totally forgot."
Shannon Quinn replied, "It’s okay, bring them out after the al."
Shannon Quinn hadn’t expected Catherine Yardley to still care about the child. Over the past year, she hadn’t called Catherine Yardley even once, let alone ntioned the child, yet she still rembered to buy toys for the child.
During the al and chat, Shannon Quinn learned that Catherine Yardley wanted to find a job. Although Julian Yardley and Sheila Yardley both disagreed, she herself said she was bored at ho and wanted to find sothing to pass the ti.
Shannon Quinn thought for a mont and said, "Just as the nanny at my place is about to leave, why don’t you co over and help with the kids."
Hearing Shannon Quinn’s words, Catherine Yardley was montarily incredulous, thinking she heard wrong, and didn’t dare to nod in agreent.
"Is it appropriate, Shannon? My mom doesn’t have experience in this. You’d be better off hiring a professional nanny to feel secure."
"It’s okay, just help look after the kids, but once you’re over there, you’ll be far from them, it’s up to you whether you feel at ease."
Catherine Yardley, fearing she’d miss such a chance, hurriedly said, "Over here, both of them are busy with their own matters anyway, I’m the only idle person. Besides, it’s not that far away. As long as you agree, Shannon, I can co over with you."
Julian Yardley didn’t know what he was planning, but after thinking for a mont, he also supported Catherine Yardley going with Shannon Quinn.
And so, the matter was settled. That night, Catherine Yardley packed her things, and early the next morning, she left with Shannon Quinn.
What has already passed should be let go. Sotis, forgiveness is not just about being lenient to others, but also about releasing oneself.
Catherine Yardley was very ticulous, taking care of Leo even more carefully than Shannon Quinn herself.
After all, with blood relations, compared to hiring a nanny from outside, Shannon Quinn was more at ease with Catherine Yardley.
After Catherine Yardley ca over, she felt an unconscious dependence on her mother, becoming like a child.
In the mornings, when Leo woke up early, Catherine Yardley would take Leo for a walk downstairs, giving Shannon Quinn a chance to sleep in.
For all three als, Catherine Yardley varied the dishes for her, spoiling her until her own life skills deteriorated.
One weekend evening, Liam Sterling, using the excuse of discussing business, ca over to cadge a al again.
When he knocked on the door, it was opened by Catherine Yardley. Seeing a face so similar to Shannon Quinn’s, Liam Sterling was montarily taken aback, guessing she might be Shannon Quinn’s mother, though Shannon Quinn never ntioned her, and he just smiled and said, "Hello, Auntie."
"You’re Shannon’s friend, right? She ntioned you’d co. Co in and sit down. She’s bathing the child, should be done soon."
"I’ll go take a look."
After Liam Sterling left, Catherine Yardley secretly observed him several tis.
A male friend who could often drop by the house wasn’t likely to be ordinary. This young man was tall, well-mannered, and seed decent.
Liam Sterling knocked on the bedroom door. Shannon Quinn was by the bed dressing Leo. Upon seeing Liam walk in, she teased, "You’re here to cadge a al again, not even a bit polite."
"Who’s the auntie outside? Where’s the previous one?"
Shannon Quinn’s hands paused briefly, then she said, "The previous one resigned, the new one."
Liam Sterling imdiately expressed surprise, "Not your mom? You look so much alike!"
Shannon Quinn smiled quietly, her mind contemplating that, despite her internal acknowledgnt of this relationship, she hadn’t yet called her "Mom."
"Brother! Brother! Hug!" Leo looked at Liam Sterling, joyfully laughing and calling him in a muddled voice.
Liam Sterling smiled and, seeing Shannon Quinn had finished dressing Leo, went over and scooped the child up, saying, "Brother brought you so goodies."
Watching Liam Sterling carrying Leo away, Shannon Quinn tidied the clothes on the bed, her mind wandering.
Leo could call her mom, call the uncles and aunties, brothers and sisters...
But had never called soone ’Dad,’ because she had never ntioned that term in front of him.
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