C3 Back home

Four years later.

In a supermarket, a beautiful woman pushing a shopping cart attracted many admiring glances. Her long hair was neatly tied back, with a loose strand by her ear adding a touch of softness. Dressed in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, she had a unique charm. Especially captivating was the little boy in the cart, dressed in a cute cowboy outfit, charming and adorable.

"Mommy... I've already prepared a list of things I want to buy..."

Noah looked up with his chubby cheeks and sparkling eyes, resembling a little rabbit.

"Okay, let me see..."

Emily chuckled at her son's cuteness, ruffling his hair before taking the paper. The list was filled with scribbles:

"Superman, chocolate, snacks, soda..."

"Why is everything toys and sweets?" she asked her son, who looked at her with those sparkling eyes.

"Because I like them..."

Emily knew the little trick he was playing. Every time they went to the supermarket, he always wanted to buy toys and sweets.

"No."

This time, she firmly refused.

"Please, mommy... please..."

Noah stood up, tugging at her hand with a very cute expression. Just then, her phone rang. Seeing it was Isabella calling, Emily quickly answered.

"Hello, Isabella?"

As soon as Noah heard Isabella's name, he eagerly reached for the phone to talk to her.

"Foster mom!"

Isabella, hearing Noah's voice, laughed through the phone.

"Is Noah there? Let me talk to him for a moment."

Seeing her son almost climbing onto her lap to grab the phone, Emily patted his head and handed the phone to Noah.

"Here, don't ask for anything from your foster mom."

She reminded him, starting a video call. As soon as Noah saw Isabella, he happily called out,

"Foster mom!"

Isabella smiled and replied,

"Yes, my good boy, it's been a while since we last met. Do you miss me?"

"Yes, I do!"

Isabella continued,

"I miss my little bun Noah too..."

Noah responded,

"Foster mom, Noah is with mommy Emily. Mommy Emily doesn't love Noah..."

"Why doesn't mommy Emily love you?"

"Mommy Emily doesn't buy snacks for Noah or Superman for Noah..."

Emily sighed. Here we go again.

"Well, let your foster mom buy them for you."

"Isabella, don't spoil him," Emily interjected. "It's fine, he's just a child..."

"Foster mom, thank you. I love you..."

Noah grinned.

"Alright..."

Emily took the phone back from Noah, giving him a serious look. He obediently sat in the cart playing with his Superman toy. Only then did she speak again.

"Isabella, it's not necessary. You don't need to buy those things."

"It's no problem, the little boy is very cute. I haven't seen him for a while, and it's just a small gift."

Emily sighed.

"Well... thank you."

Isabella laughed, "Alright, no need to be so polite with me. I'll treat you to a meal later. Which supermarket are you at? I'll pick you up."

"Isabella, you don't need to. Let me treat you."

"Emily, if you refuse again, I'll be upset."

Emily knew her friend's easy-going nature and didn't argue further. Isabella understood her situation and knew that the help she could offer was small, but Emily was always polite. She gave the supermarket address. Soon after, Emily and her son waited outside for Isabella, who arrived quickly.

Emily was holding her son, and as soon as Noah saw Isabella, he eagerly wanted to be held by her. Emily smiled gently. In the U.S., her son had few friends but was very close to Isabella. Noah gave his foster mom a kiss on the cheek and received a Superman toy from her, which he happily played with, completely absorbed in it.

They had initially planned to go to a well-known restaurant, but when they found out that a wealthy second-generation had booked the entire place, Isabella had to take them somewhere else. During this time, Emily suddenly noticed a man with a cold demeanor, an icy face, a high nose, sharp eyes, and dressed in expensive suits, being chased by a girl.

The girl was also a young beauty with large eyes, a high nose, and fair skin. She tried to grab the man's hand but was coldly pushed away by him before he got into a car and drove off. Emily thought,

"He's handsome but too cold..."

At this moment, Isabella had returned, unaware of the scene she had just witnessed. Noah also saw the man but was only focused on his toy, not understanding what was happening. In the car, Isabella suddenly asked Emily quietly,

"Emily, aren't you going to find the father of the child?"

Emily lowered her eyes, recalling the night four years ago. Lucas's face had faded from memory; he hadn't tried to find her, and this child was the result of a night of passion without any love.

"No... not for now."

Isabella sighed. Back then, Emily had struggled alone in the U.S., taking care of her sick mother and later, after her mother passed away, dealing with her son's leukemia. She had to return to her home country for treatment. In the past four years, Emily had worked hard to earn money, hoping to save enough for Noah's surgery. But even after saving all her money, it wasn't enough. This time, she returned to find a specialist for her son and to reclaim everything that belonged to her.

"Emily... I will always be here to help you."

Isabella said to Emily.

"Isabella, thank you. You've already helped me so much, I don't know how I could ever repay you..."

Emily's eyes stung with tears. Having a friend like Isabella was truly a blessing. Over the past four years, she had struggled to both study and take care of her sick mother.

Then, she had Noah, and had to shoulder everything on her own. There were times when Emily was exhausted and felt utterly helpless, just wanting to give up and lean on someone's shoulder, but there was no one. Isabella was the only close friend she could confide in. Knowing her difficult situation in a foreign country, Isabella would occasionally send her money to help out.

"You're silly! There's no need for formalities between us. Come on, let's celebrate your return to A city. Today, we'll eat to our heart's content!"

Isabella's bright smile lifted the somber mood. Emily didn't bring up the past anymore. Today, she decided to let herself be free and relaxed. After a while, the car stopped in front of a restaurant. Though it wasn't as fancy as the one they had just been to, Isabella assured her that the food here was delicious. The three of them parked and went inside.