Chapter 306: Chapter 306 The Child Is Innocent
The evening sky was painted in shades of crimson as Rose leaned against the passenger seat, watching the city lights blur past the window.
Ariel had already fallen asleep in the backseat, clutching the stuffed rabbit Trevor had won for her months ago at a charity carnival.
Her tiny breaths rose and fell in an even rhythm.
For the first time since the kidnapping, Rose allowed herself to relax.
The adrenaline that had carried her through the past twenty-four hours was finally wearing off, leaving behind nothing but exhaustion.
Trevor glanced at her from behind the steering wheel.
"You’re quiet."
Rose smiled faintly.
"I was just thinking."
"About today?"
She nodded.
"There were a few moments when I honestly thought I wouldn’t able to see Ariel again."
Trevor’s grip tightened almost imperceptibly around the steering wheel.
"Don’t."
She turned toward him.
"Don’t what?"
"Don’t say things like that."
His voice remained calm, but the strain beneath it was impossible to miss.
"I’ve already imagined that possibility enough times today."
Rose’s expression softened.
"I’m sorry."
"You don’t need to apologize."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Outside, traffic rolled steadily through the city as the last traces of sunset disappeared beyond the skyline.
After several minutes, Rose’s phone vibrated.
The caller ID displayed Dr. Grace.
She answered almost immediately.
"Dr. Grace."
Before Rose could say another word, Grace’s anxious voice came through the speaker.
"Rose, are you all right?"
"I’ve been worried sick."
"I heard what happened."
Rose instinctively glanced toward the sleeping Ariel before lowering her voice.
"I’m okay."
Grace released a long breath.
"Thank heavens."
"You have no idea how frightened I was when I heard about that."
"I wanted to come to the hospital myself."
"But they told me you were already discharged."
Rose smiled gently.
"I’m sorry for making everyone worry."
"Nonsense."
Grace’s tone immediately became serious.
"You don’t apologize for surviving."
"You promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Promise me that you will be more careful in the future..."
She paused.
"...I don’t want anything happened to you like today happened again."
"You understand?"
Warmth spread quietly through Rose’s heart.
So many years had passed since anyone had worried about her with such sincerity.
"I understand."
Grace finally sounded relieved.
"Good."
A brief silence followed.
Then Rose suddenly remembered something.
"Oh..."
"There was something I wanted to tell you."
"What is it?"
“Whenever you have time, I’d be happy to take you to my shop to see if it’s truly an authentic piece by Mr. Taylor."
Grace laughed softly.
"The one that’s probably been keeping you awake?"
Rose just smiled.
She knew that how important that painting is to Grace.
If she could, she really love to take her there.
What’s more, in this way, she would also have a reason to visit her family antique shop.
There was complete silence on the other end.
For several seconds...
Grace said nothing.
Then her voice suddenly trembled.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Rose chuckled.
Grace laughed through tears.
"Good."
"Very good."
Rose could almost picture the older woman’s smiling face.
"Then it’s a deal."
*****
After ending the call, Grace called her assistant through intercom.
Withing minutes, her assistant entered.
"You wanted to see me, Dr. Grace?"
Grace nodded. "Book me on tomorrow morning’s flight back to New York."
The assistant hesitated.
"What about the DNA results?"
"They’ll be ready tomorrow afternoon."
Grace folded her hands together.
"I can’t postpone the research conference."
"It’s been scheduled for months."
She paused thoughtfully.
"James can stay."
"He’ll collect the report personally."
The assistant nodded.
"I’ll make the arrangements."
Just as he reached the door, he stopped.
"Oh."
"I almost forgot."
Grace looked up.
"Miss Samantha Hill called earlier."
"She said she’s already back in New York."
"She’d like to arrange dinner with you."
Grace’s brows lifted slightly.
"So quickly?"
"Yes."
The assistant nodded.
"She sounded... remarkably calm."
Grace leaned back in her chair.
That surprised her.
Anyone uncertain about a DNA test would be restless.
Anxious.
Unable to sit still.
Yet Samantha and her mother seemed unusually composed.
Either...
They possessed extraordinary confidence.
Or...
They believed the outcome had already been decided.
Interesting.
Grace gave a small nod.
"Tell her we’ll arrange something after I’ve returned."
"Yes, ma’am."
The assistant quietly left.
Not long afterward, another knock sounded.
"Come in."
The door opened once again.
Victoria stepped inside carrying a tray with freshly brewed tea.
She had apparently overheard part of the earlier conversation outside.
Setting the cup on the desk, she hesitated before speaking.
"So..."
"The report will be ready tomorrow."
Grace looked at her steadily.
"Yes."
Neither woman spoke for several moments.
Finally...
Grace picked up the porcelain cup.
"There is something I’ve wanted to say."
Evelyn straightened instinctively.
"If the child truly returns to this family..."
Grace’s voice remained calm.
"...I hope you’ll remember your responsibilities."
Victoria lowered her eyes.
"I know."
Grace continued.
"What happened years ago..."
"...wasn’t one person’s mistake."
"We all failed her."
"The only innocent one..."
"...was that child."
Grace looked out the window.
"The Taylor family owes that child far more than an apology."
Victoria’s fingers tightened around the tray.
A trace of light flickered across her face.
"I understand."
The Taylor family placed greater importance on Sophia’s child.
It was precisely because of their sense of guilt toward the child that the they had always refused to allow her to formally join the family—because they felt they had to atone for the hardships the child had endured.
As for Samantha...
...was clearly unwilling to accept her.
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