The Girl Who Came Back

On my twenty-second birthday, my uncle discovered my journal.

When he found out I had a secret crush on him, he shipped me out of the country and spent millions on a wedding for his one true love.

At the airport, he warned me with a cold, indifferent face, Don't ever have thoughts you shouldn't have.

Years later, I returned to the States holding a child. He looked stunned. "Yours?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Just finished my postpartum recovery."

Sitting on the plane, I still felt a bit dazed.

I never thought that after five years abroad, I would ever have the chance to come back.

After all, Lucas Sterling had said that it would be best if I never appeared in front of him again in this lifetime.

But he was also the one who personally bought my plane ticket back, inviting me to attend his and Chloe's fifth wedding anniversary gala.

After two layovers, I finally landed.

My daughter, Lily, had slept peacefully on the flight, but the moment we got off, she started to cry.

"Mommy, my feet hurt."

Hearing Lily's soft sobs, I quickly picked her up and walked toward the exit.

At the arrivals gate, I pulled out my phone to call a rideshare.

Just then, my phone rang.

Looking at the familiar number on the screen, I fell silent, debating whether to answer.

In the end, I didn't pick up.

But a second call came through almost immediately.

I sighed and pressed answer.

Lucas's voice came through instantly.

It hadn't changed in years.

"Are you out of the airport? I sent an assistant to pick you up."

Lucas spoke in a business-like tone, as if we were strangers.

I gave a bitter laugh. "I can call an Uber."

There was a second of silence on the other end. Lucas probably didn't expect me to say that.

Back then, I was spoiled by him. Living under his roof for years, I had staff taking care of my every need. I never had to call a cab myself.

After a moment of silence, Lucas spoke lightly, "Just let the assistant take you. I bought a gift for your aunt on your behalf and put it in the trunk. You can bring it in when you come to dinner."

Lucas was still so thoughtful, handling even the gift perfectly.

It made sense. He had spent millions on the wedding venue and bid on a limited-edition diamond to craft a unique ring for Chloe. It was obvious he loved her.

"Understood."

I rubbed my temples and answered in a low voice.

Lucas didn't speak, but he didn't hang up either.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Jane, after five years abroad, I hope you've truly reflected on yourself. If you do anything to Chloe, I won't let you off easy."

Hearing this, I froze.

The noise around me seemed to fade away.

Lucas said he wouldn't let me off easy.

Before I could reply, he hung up.

Actually, he didn't need to worry. I wouldn't do anything to them.

I just wanted to take care of Lily and find a job.

Leaving the airport, I lowered my head.

The proud twenty-two-year-old me would never have imagined my life would become this desolate.

I was kicked out of the country by Lucas on my twenty-second birthday.

That day, he found my journal.

When I was a kid, my parents died in a cruise ship accident. They never came back, and Lucas, being my father's best friend and honorary "uncle," naturally took me in.

We always had a harmonious relationship.

Until I turned eighteen, and I realized I didn't just see Lucas as an uncle.

I loved him.

But I knew very well there was no future for us.

So, I wrote all my feelings into a journal.

If Lucas hadn't seen it, I could have pretended my feelings were just familial love.

But he saw it.

He tore my journal to shreds and asked how I could have such disgusting thoughts.

"Do you have any idea who I am? I'm your guardian! Even without blood relation, we can only be family!"

The usually gentle and gentlemanly Lucas was gone. He screamed at me, his eyes full of disgust.

I wanted to explain, but I couldn't find the words. I could only bow my head and apologize over and over, saying I was wrong, saying I shouldn't have fallen for him.

But Lucas didn't calm down.

The next day, he made me quit the job I had lined up and sent me to a remote university in Europe under the guise of "further studies."

To prevent me from contacting anyone, he even hired bodyguards to watch me.

At first, I didn't understand why he treated me this way.

Until the first month I was abroad, news of Lucas's wedding trended online.

Only then did I learn that for all these years, he had a "one true love" in his heart.

I watched the video of his wedding over and over.

In the video, the way Lucas looked at Chloe was tender and full of longing.

He had never looked at me like that.

From that moment on, I knew that Lucas taking care of me all those years was just out of pity and responsibility.

The only person he loved was Chloe.

"Miss Foster, please get in."

The assistant's voice brought me back to reality.

Chapter 2

I nodded and got into the car holding sleeping Lily.

Seeing Lily, a look of surprise crossed the assistant's face. "Miss Foster, this is..."

I made a shushing gesture, afraid chatting would wake her.

Only when we were settled in the back seat did I whisper, "This is my daughter."

The assistant nodded and fell silent.

When he pulled up to the destination, I froze.

This hotel was where Lucas and Chloe got married.

Married for five years, he held an anniversary gala every year and personally picked gifts for her.

I thought, Lucas really cherished Chloe.

Years ago, he didn't allow me into their world. Bringing me back this year was just to make me witness their happiness.

I got out of the car numbly and saw Chloe standing on the curb, smiling as she walked toward me.

Unlike me, haggard and dressed simply, Chloe wore expensive jewelry and perfume. She looked well taken care of by Lucas.

The smile on her face stiffened for a second.

I knew she saw Lily in my arms.

Sure enough, when she reached me, Chloe looked shocked. "Jane, how did you secretly have a baby abroad without telling your Auntie? I've been married to your Uncle for so long, do you still treat me like an outsider?"

Before I could speak, Chloe grabbed Lily from my arms.

Lily woke up and immediately started crying, struggling against Chloe.

I took Lily back and soothed her for a while.

Actually, Chloe knew I had a crush on Lucas.

Coming back this time, I didn't want to get too involved with her.

But Chloe stubbornly insisted on holding Lily.

When we arrived at the private dining room, Lily was still crying for me.

Chloe forced a smile and shoved Lily back into my arms. "Your Uncle knows having kids isn't easy. We haven't thought about having kids these past few years. Seeing you with a daughter, I just got too excited."

There were already a few people in the room.

I wasn't used to socializing, so I picked a corner seat. Chloe naturally sat next to me.

She enthusiastically linked her arm with mine, introducing me and Lily to everyone.

The others looked at me with obvious mockery and curiosity.

I couldn't stand the weird atmosphere and excused myself to the restroom.

When I came back after splashing water on my face, I heard Chloe's voice.

Someone asked Chloe why she brought a "jinx" like me inside.

"What jinx? Jane is Lucas's niece. Even though she strayed and tried to seduce him back then, she has a kid now. She definitely won't make that mistake again."

Hearing Chloe say this, I stood quietly at the door.

Right. In everyone's eyes, I was the crazy girl who tried to seduce her guardian, a shameless homewrecker.

Lily tugged at my clothes anxiously. I comforted her and walked in.

Some things had to be faced.

I don't know how long passed before everyone in the room suddenly stood up.

"Mr. Sterling is here!"

"Good evening, Mr. Sterling!"

A crowd swarmed him, but I didn't move, just sitting in my seat.

After a long while, I looked up at Lucas.

He seemed thinner.

Lucas wore a suit, and Chloe leaned on him. When they looked at each other, their eyes were full of smiles.

Surrounded by people, Lucas didn't notice me in the corner.

For all these years, he remained the center of attention, while I was the only one living a miserable life.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Chloe playfully nudged Lucas. "Lucas, Jane is here too. You haven't seen each other in years, catch up properly. Jane brought a surprise back too!"

Hearing the word "surprise," Lucas remained indifferent. He helped Chloe sit down first, ordered her a bird's nest soup, and only then lifted his eyes to look my way.

Lily shrank back in fear, looking defensive.

Lucas clearly saw Lily and his eyes widened in shock.

"Jane, what is this?"

He was asking about Lily.

I hadn't told them about her, so seeing me with a child elicited identical expressions of shock or amusement.

Chloe answered for me. "Lucas, this is Jane's daughter. Isn't she cute? She looks just like Jane. Looks like she's a few years old already."

Lucas's gaze fell on Lily, then on me, scrutinizing me for a long time.

Just when I thought he wouldn't speak to me again, he pointed at Lily, his voice hoarse. "In these years abroad... you got married and had a child?"

I looked up, meeting his gaze, and hummed a 'yes'.

"Married a long time ago. Sorry I didn't tell you."

Chapter 3

The room was silent. No one spoke.

Lucas stared at me, as if judging whether my words were true or false.

Chloe seemed about to say something, but Lucas was already standing in front of me. "Where is your husband?"

I pursed my lips. "He's been busy lately, so he didn't come."

Whispers and snickers rippled through the room. However, out of respect for Lucas, the guests didn't laugh too openly.

Lucas's face was livid. In the end, he said nothing and just sat down next to Chloe.

I ate the meal without tasting anything.

Everyone else was praising how perfect Lucas and Chloe were together, while I just wanted to take Lily back to rest.

The rent here wasn't too expensive; I could afford it.

I didn't want to go abroad again.

The dinner ended quickly.

I wanted to leave, but Lucas stopped me, saying he had something to tell me.

In the end, Lucas and I stayed in the private room.

Chloe was there too.

Lucas looked at me with cold eyes, his words as temperature-less as his expression.

"Jane, since we both have families now, I hope you won't disturb me in the future."

Chloe covered a smile with her hand. "Lucas, don't be so harsh on Jane. She's a grown woman now; she knows what not to do."

The couple played off each other perfectly.

And I was excluded from their understanding.

They never believed my promises.

But I nodded anyway and bowed. "I won't, ever again."

Neither of them spoke as I turned and left with Lily.

Lucas called an assistant to drive me, but this time, I refused.

Back at the rental, Lily suddenly whispered and asked if the uncle and auntie today hated her.

They say children are sensitive and know everything.

I shook my head. "They don't hate you, Lily."

They just... hated me.

Lily seemed to have many questions but didn't ask. She just hugged me and said, "Mommy, you worked hard."

The tears I held back all day threatened to fall.

But I couldn't cry in front of her.

So I tilted my head back and forced them down.

After putting Lily to sleep, I suddenly received a text.

It was from Chloe.

"Jane, if you have time, let's talk."

I frowned, wondering why she didn't just text me what she wanted.

Chloe didn't send another message.

Until right before bed, when I got a call from her.

"I'm downstairs at your place. I just want to ask you one thing."

"Do you still have thoughts of going abroad recently? Lucas and I actually both hope you stay overseas. Plus, your husband is abroad, right? It's better to go back."

I was confused, but after processing it, I found it funny.

The only thing that would make Chloe call me late at night was this.

They hated me that much.

They couldn't even stand being in the same country as me.

I glanced at sleeping Lily beside me.

Going downstairs, I saw Chloe standing under a streetlight.

Standing in front of her, I took a deep breath before meeting her eyes. "I don't plan on going abroad anymore."

For Lily's sake, I wouldn't drag her through more travel.

Chloe laughed lightly.

With no one around, the disdain in her eyes was unconcealed.

"Jane, I know you need money right now. If I give you a sum, would you be willing to leave?"

Chapter 4

3.

I was silent for a moment.

The fact that I needed money was apparently public knowledge.

Chloe and Lucas knew I had a hard time abroad, so when they threatened me, they knew exactly where to strike.

But I refused.

Chloe looked surprised.

That night ended on a bad note.

For the next few days, I was busy looking for work, but every time, I was rejected after the first interview.

It wasn't until a young interviewer stammered that it was "Ms. Chloe's orders" that I realized she didn't even want me to find a job.

Chloe was dead set on making me leave the country again.

After being stunned for a long time, I thanked the interviewer who told me the truth.

Just as I left the office, I got a text from the hospital.

Last night, I made an appointment to get some antidepressants.

During the visit, the doctor told me my condition was bad and suggested more therapy sessions.

Doctors abroad had given me the same advice.

It seemed my depression was indeed severe.

Walking out of the clinic with my meds, I was reading the instructions and accidentally bumped into someone around the corner.

"Sorry..."

I apologized first, but looking up, I realized the person standing in front of me was Lucas.

And behind him stood Chloe.

Lucas frowned, seemingly not intending to speak to me, ready to walk past.

But then, he noticed the medicine in my hand.

"Jane, why are you at the hospital?"

He seemed to want to see what I was holding, but I quickly stuffed the box into my bag. "Just a cold, buying some meds."

Chloe chimed in at the right moment. "Lots of people getting the flu lately."

Lucas didn't speak, but kept staring at my bag.

I lowered my head and quickly walked downstairs.

Running into Lucas wasn't in my plan.

Before, I always wanted to see him, but he was always busy.

Before I went abroad, the times we met were countable on one hand. Most of the time, he'd just send a text or two.

After I left, he stopped contacting me altogether.

I didn't expect that now, when I truly didn't want to see him, I'd run into him.

I've had depression for a long time.

At my worst, I had severe somatic symptoms and even thought about jumping off a building, but I gritted my teeth and survived.

When I got home, Lily was waiting in the living room.

She hadn't slept well the night before.

I decided to put her to bed early.

But just as I started feeling sleepy, I smelled something burning.

Lily was fast asleep, unaware.

At first, I thought a neighbor burned dinner, but as the smell got stronger, I realized something was wrong.

Jumping out of bed, I went to the window and saw thick smoke rising into the air.

This building was on fire.

Memories flooded back. Ignoring everything else, I snatched Lily from the bed.

She rubbed her eyes groggily. "Mommy, what's wrong?"

Realizing the fire, she gripped my sleeve. "Mommy?"

I was shaking from fear as I held her.

Stumbling out the door, I carried her down the emergency stairs.

I fell three or four times, bruising my knees, but I stood up without feeling the pain.

Bursting out of the building entrance, I saw a crowd gathered outside.

The fire trucks had arrived.

The scene before me overlapped with memories of the past.

Holding Lily, I leaned against a tree across the street, feeling faint.

Lily asked anxiously, "Mommy, are we going to die?"

I snapped back and hugged her tighter. "No."

As long as Lily was with me, I would never let anything happen to her.

Because

Lily's biological mother already died saving me.