Chapter 197: Chapter 205

She pursed her lips as tears of guilt filled her eyes.

The policewoman opened the door and said coldly, “All right, enough with the chit-chat. Her mommy is here to pick her up.”

Floretta spun around in joy when she heard Angeline was there. However, the smile on her face was soon replaced by a frown when she recalled something.

She looked the other way as though she were angry with Angeline.

Angeline went pale when she saw Floretta’s response. For a moment there, she didn’t know what to say to her.

Although reluctant, the police officers had no choice but to return to their desks.

Just like that, Angeline and Floretta were the only ones left in the office. The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward as neither of them said a single word.

Eventually, Angeline walked up to Floretta and wiped the bread crumbs off her mouth as she said, “Why did you run away from home?”

Floretta’s eyes reddened the moment she heard that, but she kept her tears in as she replied with a pout, “That’s none of your business! You don’t want me anymore, so why do you even ask?”

Angeline let out a chuckle when she saw Floretta’s cheeks puff up with anger. “If it’s none of my business, then why did you have the police give me a call?”

Floretta got all flustered when she realized her secret had been exposed.

“I-I didn’t…”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

Angeline gently patted her on the head. It pained her to see how skinny Floretta had gotten during her absence.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy lately that I just didn’t have the time to come visit you. It’s my fault for not contacting you.”

Floretta lowered her gaze and kept quiet for a while before mustering the courage to ask, “Is it because you’ve found your child? Were you busy taking care of him? Is that why you stopped contacting me?”

The look on Angeline’s face turned gloomy the moment she heard that.

“Who told you that?” she asked in an icy-cold voice.

I know Evander all too well. He cares a lot about Floretta, so there’s no way he would have told her the truth at a time like this.

“It was Ms. Sherrock.”

Olivine must’ve been spying on me if she knew so much about me! As if targeting me wasn’t bad enough, she’s also going after Floretta as well.

“Angel, are you really going to abandon me now that you’ve found your child?” Floretta asked cautiously for fear of angering Angeline.

Seeing her being so cautious only hurt Angeline even more.

“Of course not!” She pulled Floretta into her embrace. “It’s true that I have found my child. He was all covered in wounds when I brought him back, and he hardly ever talks. That’s why I’ve been looking after him lately. Even so, I will never abandon you. If you want me as your mommy, then I will gladly be your mommy.”

Floretta was overjoyed. “So, does that mean you’re my mommy too? You won’t just love that boy alone, right?”

“Of course I’ll love you, silly! You hold a very special place in my heart. No one will ever be able to replace you,” Angeline replied.

Feeling a lot better, Floretta broke into a smile and patted Angeline on the shoulder. “Okay! I believe you. I’ll stop being jealous of that boy!”

“Good girl!” Angeline said with a relieved smile on her face.

“Floretta!”

Their heartwarming moment was interrupted by the deep voice of a man in the background.

The next thing they knew, Evander had pushed the door open really forcefully. The frown on his face smoothened a little when he saw that Floretta was safe and sound.

Given how he had left his house in his gray coat, dark blue pajamas, and a pair of slippers, it was obvious that he had left in a hurry.

He walked up to Floretta and grabbed her by the shoulders as he eyed her from head to toe.

“Where did you go? Are you hurt?”

Floretta got scared when she saw him.

“I’m fine, Daddy. Are you going to ground me again?”

Evander gently tucked her hair behind her ear as he replied, “No, but you need to tell me why you ran off on your own.”

Since he didn’t lash out at Floretta, she could muster the courage and tell him the truth.

“Ms. Sherrock told me that Angel wouldn’t want me anymore because she had found her child. I ran off on my own because I wanted to know if it was true. I’m sorry I made you worry, Daddy.”

Even Evander was a little shocked when he heard how mature she sounded.

“You still have me, Floretta,” he reminded her softly.

“Yeah!” Floretta then held Angeline’s hand as she continued with a smile, “Angel told me she wouldn’t leave me even though she found her child, so I promise not to run off on my own anymore.”

Evander frowned slightly in displeasure when he heard that.

I’m glad to hear that Floretta has learned from her mistake, but it’s only because of what Angeline told her… If that’s the case, then what good am I as a father?

“I’m feeling a little thirsty, Floretta. Can you ask the police officer outside for a cup of water?” Angeline asked with a gentle smile.

“Okay!” Floretta nodded and ran off.

“Make sure not to leave the police station!”

Angeline waited until Floretta had left the office before shifting her gaze toward Evander.

“Mr. Golding, may I have a word with you?”

“Go ahead.”

“I know that you’re about to get married, but I hope you’ll try to reconsider it for Floretta’s sake. Olivine is a scheming and devious woman. She is not a suitable candidate to be Floretta’s mother.”

Evander stood up straight and looked right at her with a sarcastic expression.

“Thank you for taking the time to visit Floretta, Ms. Sorelle. But since you have chosen to leave, who I decide to marry is no longer your concern.”

Angeline felt as though she had been struck in the chest with a sledgehammer.

We finally meet again after so many days, and yet, Evander is treating me like a complete stranger…

Well, I suppose I don’t have the right to complain…

As she clenched her fists, the pain from the nails digging into her skin snapped her out of her daze.