Chapter 114: Have I Failed In Raising Them?
Back on Earth, a woman of grace sat elegantly in her chair, her captivating figure accentuated by the gentle glow of the room's soft lighting.
Her eyes gleamed with intelligence, and her smile held a hint of playfulness that entranced everyone in her presence.
Radiating with confidence, she would effortlessly captivate the attention of those around her, her words flowing like a gentle, soothing melody.
Her graceful posture exudes elegance, leaving no doubt that she possesses a presence to be reckoned with.
She was in a spacious office adorned with luxurious and modern decor, featuring an elegant furniture and a lively artwork decorating the walls.
The room exuded an air of triumph and achievement, mirroring the woman's own remarkable successes.
It was evident that this was a place where important decisions were made and influential individuals gathered.
The woman in question was none other than Chen Ying, who happened to be Chen Tian's aunt.
Engrossed in her work, she sat at her desk, diligently examining a stack of paperwork, which appeared to be a mountain of contracts and agreements.
Her keen eye for detail was evident as she meticulously reviewed each page, carefully adding her signature wherever required.
"Sigh, I feel so exhausted," Chen Ying sighed, setting down some paperwork and leaning back in her chair.
Her head was preoccupied with thoughts of someone who had been on her mind since yesterday, making it difficult for her to concentrate on her work.
"That kid has never left the house before; could this be some sort of adolescent phase?" Chen Ying voiced her thoughts aloud, her brow furrowing with concern.
She had always been protective of Chen Tian, her nephew, but lately, she noticed a change in his behavior.
It seemed like he was becoming more distant and withdrawn, spending most of his time locked in his room or outside.
As she pondered over the possible reasons for his sudden change, she couldn't help but worry about his well-being and whether he was going through a typical teenage phase.
"Should I find him a girlfriend?
That kid never got one in high school," she mused, her worry growing.
"Maybe having someone special in his life would help him come out of his shell." She contemplated the idea, thinking of ways she could discreetly introduce him to potential romantic interests.
She was unaware that Chen Tian already had Emilia and another woman in his life, not to mention her daughter Aria.
Little did she know that her concerns about her nephew's love life were unnecessary, as he had already met several potential matches.
If only she had been aware, she wouldn't have wasted her time and energy attempting to find him a girlfriend.
"I also noticed something odd about my daughters yesterday. As soon as they heard that Chen Tian was staying at Emilia's place, they both had an intriguing reaction," she whispered to herself, a tinge of curiosity evident in her voice.
"Ughh!!
I don't know what to do!" She exclaimed, feeling overwhelmed with frustration.
Glancing at the door of her office to ensure no one was approaching, Chen Ying hesitated briefly.
Eventually, she decided to open a drawer in her desk.
She carefully took out a frame, and as she held it in her hands, a nostalgic smile formed on her face. The frame had a picture inside of it, and it was a cherished memento from the past.
The photograph showed Chen Ying standing next to a man who looked a lot like Chen Tian, albeit slightly older.
The memories of that day came flooding back, reminding her of the carefree times they had shared.
Her fingers gently traced the outline of each person in the picture, reliving the bonds they had.
Chen Ying felt a mix of emotions as she gazed at the photograph.
"Have I failed in raising them...?
I put forth my utmost effort to ensure they never experienced the hardships we endured in our youth.
If only you were still here, brother..."
She whispered softly, her voice trembling with a sense of longing and regret.
The photograph held a bittersweet reminder of her brother, who had passed away years ago.
"How ironic, brother! I have no tears left to shed; I exhausted them all years ago," she said, a hint of bitterness in her tone.
Everyone in the town knew her as a vicious woman who would marry any man and then swindle them of their wealth.
Hurtful names like "whore" and "bitch" were thrown at her repeatedly, and she had become accustomed to the harsh judgments and relentless rumors that plagued her.
However, what remained unknown to the people, including Chen Tian and her children, was the immense pain she carried in her heart.
Her past, which she always tried to bury and forget, haunts her every waking moment.
The tears she shed years ago were not just for the mistakes she made, but also for the broken dreams and shattered innocence she once possessed.
She longs for redemption, for a chance to prove that she is more than the labels society has placed upon her.
Yet, in this cruel irony, her hardened exterior shields the vulnerability and pain that she can no longer express.
All she did was survive.
She did nothing wrong.
Did she have any regrets about her past actions?
The answer was a resounding no.
Even if she were given a chance to redo everything, she would make the same choices again.
Through her decisions, she achieved her freedom and now has a loving and beautiful family that she would defend with all her might.
Still looking at the frame with nostalgic eyes, she couldn't help but smile, knowing that despite all the hardships, she had made the right choices.
The scars on her heart and soul served as a reminder of the strength she had found within herself.
After gently placing the frame back in its spot, she felt a fresh wave of appreciation for the life she had constructed and the love that enveloped her.
"Alright, time to get back to work," she mused silently.
As she was about to resume signing all the paperwork, the door to her office swung open unexpectedly.
A young woman approached, her face pale and filled with terror, as if she had just witnessed a ghost.
She stumbled forward, holding a crumpled piece of paper in her trembling hands.
"Mi-Miss," she stammered, her voice barely audible as she struggled to compose herself.
"W-We have a problem!"