Chapter 996: Chapter 996

Without hesitation, Bella responded, “My daughter’s name is Fiona.

She’s four, slender, with pale lips.

Her hair is golden and curly, and she has brown eyes.

She’s a nail-biter.

”

With the child’s features in mind, Zoe and I swiftly split up to search for her.

As I combed the stairwell, my phone chimed.

Glancing at the caller ID, I saw it was Elena.

I stepped into a quiet corner and tapped the answer button.

My daughter’s playful voice chimed in shortly after.

“Mommy, I miss you loads.

When are you coming back?”

“Elena, what’s keeping you busy?”

Elena replied, ‘m watching a cartoon with my brother in the hospital.

It’s so funny.

The children in the kindergarten are all watching it recently.

Dylan and I like it very much.

”

As anticipated, the cartoon’s background music kicked in as she finished speaking, the cheerful tunes filtering through the phone.

At that very moment, I heard a faint rustling coming from a corner of the staircase.

I swiftly scanned the area and spotted a young girl.

She peeked around cautiously, her curiosity piqued by the cartoon’s catchy tune.

The girl matched Fiona’s description.

She had shimmering golden locks, warm brown eyes, a slender frame, and a nervous habit of nail-biting.

She must be Bella’s daughter.

As soon as I ended the call, I approached the girl with careful, measured steps.

Drawing near, I crouched and asked gently, “You’re Fiona, right?”

The girl confirmed with a nod, her gaze a swirl of confusion and curiosity, unsure how I knew her name.

“Hello, Fiona.

I’m a friend of your mother.

” I introduced myself.

“Fiona, why did you leave? Your mother is incredibly worried.

She’s searching all over for you.

”

Fiona’s eyes flooded with tears, her expression filled with sorrow.

She sniffled and said between sobs, “I don’t want to be in the hospital.

I just want to go home.

”

Peering at Fiona’s pitiful face, I asked patiently, “Why? Did something happen?”

Tears streamed down Fiona’s flushed cheeks.

Her small, quivering shoulders revealed her deep distress, evoking sympathy from me.

My chest tightened.

I pulled her into my arms and said, “Please, Fiona, don’t cry.

You can tell me anything; your secrets are safe with me.

”

Fiona’s moistened eyes glistened.

She bit her trembling lip and said in a hushed voice, “My parents have been arguing a lot because I’m in the hospital.

I didn’t want them to fight anymore, so I ran away.

I thought everything would return to normal if I wasn’t in the hospital.

”

Debra’s POV: