Chapter 185

In Isla’s eyes, Bowen was the most perfect-looking man she’d ever seen. Naturally, she believed they belonged together. Now that Alvin had come along, someone who not only matched her aesthetic standards but could also "game" with the back of her mind... she'd naturally tossed Bowen aside.

So, this is what being "lace con feels" is like? Aubree’s mind drifted for a moment, and when she snapped back to reality, she realized just how close she was.

Stepping back, Aubree hastily snatched her hand back. “You don’t have to explain,” she blurted out. “I’m not even anyone to you, so you don’t need to explain this to me.” With that, Aubree hastily stood up. She had a sinking feeling that if she remained in this confined space, things might go out of control.

“I've got to go now,” Aubree said, then hastily made her escape.

Bowen watched her retreating figure, his eyes dark and brooding, yet beneath that somber gaze burned an unshakable determination.

Is she running away? Or just not ready to face her feelings? he wondered. “Well, I guess that’s a good sign. At least she is starting to care. Otherwise, wouldn’t she have gotten so flustered?”

The following day, Aubree cleared her schedule. After picking up some gifts, she went to the orphanage with Bowen.

During the holidays, Ethel was playing with the children in the yard. When she saw Aubree arrive, her face lit up as she happily hurried over to greet her.

“Aubree, what brings you here today?” Ethel asked.

“I just wanted to come see you,” Aubree replied. “And there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Ethel had someone put away the gifts Aubree brought, then took her hand and led her to sit in a quiet corner.

Bowen gazed at the orphanage, whose appearance had barely changed over the years, and a faint smile touched his lips. Looking back now, he still couldn’t explain why he’d taken that particular path, the one that led him past this orphanage, where he first saw Aubree, her face lit up with a radiant smile.

Ethel was up there in age. After sitting down with Aubree, her gaze lingered on Bowen, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. In a warm, gentle tone, she asked, “Aubree, who is this young man?”

“You could say he’s a friend of mine. His name’s Bowen Turner,” Aubree replied.

Ethel let out a thoughtful “Oh,” as if a realization had just dawned on her. “A Turner, huh?”

Of course, Bowen knew exactly what Ethel was getting at, but his face betrayed nothing. He remained as calm and composed as ever.

Aubree took out the two photos and handed them to Ethel. “Grandma Ethel,” she asked carefully, “do you still remember when I was ten and you invited a photographer to take pictures of us? There was a strange woman who came that day. Do you remember anything about her?”

Ethel replied, “Oh yes, I remember that well. At that time, it wasn’t me but the woman you mentioned who arranged for the photographer. She said it was a charity project and wanted to take your photos for media coverage to help you find your biological parents. She didn’t give her name. Everyone just called her Ms. Diamonde.”

Diamonde… Then there’s no mistake, Aubree thought bitterly.

Aubree produced another photo, a recent media shot of Alice, and handed it to Ethel. “Is this her?” she asked.

Ethel exclaimed, “Oh, yes! That’s her!”

Aubree sneered inwardly. ‘Helping them find their biological parents? How could Alice have the gall to say something like that?’

She clenched her fists tightly as she recounted the whole story to Ethel. Ethel’s eyes widened in shock. “What? How could this be?”

Ms. Diamonde is Aubree’s birth mother? Ethel couldn’t believe it.

Alice never once showed her face. Since Ethel never kept up with social media, and Ronald had always been the one visiting the orphanage, she never realized that Ms. Diamonde from those years ago was Alice.

Ethel’s heart ached as she listened to Aubree. She pulled Aubree into a comforting embrace and murmured, “My dear, you’ve been through so much. If you ever need anything, just let me know anytime.”

Aubree felt a lump in her throat. Even the staff at the orphanage cared more about me than my so-called family ever did, she thought bitterly.

“Okay,” Aubree whispered. “I’ll probably need your help to confirm it later.”

They were deep in conversation when suddenly a voice called out from the doorway. “Bowen, what are you doing here?”