Chapter 46
The woman held a black umbrella over Hailey’s head and asked with concern, “Hailey, is something bothering you? You can talk to me
Hailey lifted her head, her gaze landing on the woman’s face.
She smiled and said, “Lily, it’s nothing. I just suddenly started missing my mom?
Lily had been Valerie’s close friend when they were young, However, after Valerie got married and focused on her family, their contact gradually lessened.
Lily was an ambitious woman. Her aspirations had never been tied to a man–her dream was to create her own fashion brand
Now, she had succeeded.
“Ocean Lily” was the brand she had built.
In the first year after her rebirth, Hailey sought out Lily. At that time, “Ocean Lily” was in deep trouble–its designers had been poached, funds were running low, and Lily had fallen into a severe depression, and was on the verge of collapse.
Hailey’s sudden appearance saved both “Ocean Lily” and Lily herself.
Apart from Lily, no one knew that the true owner of “Ocean Lily” was actually a girl not even twenty years old.
Lily let out a small sigh and said, “Hailey, let me take you to your mother’s favorite place.
Hailey hesitated for a moment before agreeing, “Alright.”
Lily drove Hailey to the beach.
Perhaps because the sky was overcast, the place was nearly deserted, unusually quiet.
As soon as she stepped out of the car, Hailey smelled the salty, slightly salty and bitter scent of the sea breeze.
“This was your mother’s favorite place, Lily said slowly. “She was a very elegant woman–talented in everything, quick to learn anything new. Back then, when she was young, she was just like me, full of ambition and hope for the future. But then she met a man, fell in too deep, and could never get out.”
Hailey sighed. “Love makes people blind.”
“Hailey, there is something I have never told you,” Lily suddenly changed the subject and continued, “Your mother’s first love was not Aiden.”
“What do you mean?” Hailey frowned and asked.
“Your mother was a very stubborn person. Once she fell in love, she devoted herself completely. At that time, she was truly in love with a man, but I never knew who he was. They were together for a while. Back then, Aiden was merely one of her admirers. Later, your mother suddenly married Aiden, so I always assumed that the man she had secretly been with was him.”
Lily paused, took a photo out of her bag, handed it to Hailey, and said, “But a few days ago, I found this picture.”
Hailey took the photo.
It showed her mother in her youth–innocent and full of life, barely in her twenties, wearing a beautiful white dress. She had a sweet smile on her face, her hair braided into pigtails.
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She was holding onto a man, but his face had been cut out, leaving a hole where it should have been.
The only thing visible was that he was tall and slender, lazily dressed in a white shirt. A section of his wrist was exposed, and a mole was on his right wrist.
Hailey was absolutely certain–this man was not Aiden.
“I wanted to tell you earlier, but I got too busy with work, Lily said, “Since you called me today, I brought the photo with
me,”
Hailey responded, “I understand. Thank you, Lily. I will look into it”
Lily hummed in acknowledgment. “Your mother was a very gentle person. Even though she has been gone for so many years, she has never truly left my heart. Every time I miss her, I come here. The sea breeze in Houhai is just like her–gentle and soothing. It makes me feel as if she is still by my side. Close your eyes and feel it.”
Hailey lowered her gaze and walked toward the shore.
She relaxed her mind and slowly closed her eyes.
The sound of the waves filled her ears, and the sea breeze brushed against her face–soft and slow as if someone was gently caressing her cheek.
Her heart gradually calmed.
After a while, she turned back and thanked Lily.
Lily smiled, patted her hair, and let out a soft sigh, “If you have nothing else to do, let me take you home. The sea breeze is
get a headache.”
strong, and if you stay too long, you might
Hailey wanted to stay a little longer and was about to ask Lily to head back first when she suddenly caught sight of a figure in the corner of her eye. “Wait, Lily,” she exclaimed.
She quickly took off her coat, tossed it to Lily, and sprinted toward the water.
Someone was trying to end their life.
“Hailey!” Lily shouted and immediately took out her phone to call for an ambulance.
Hailey ran swiftly to the dock and jumped into the water, swimming toward the person with all her might.
The figure had already sunk beneath the surface, showing no signs of struggle.
Hailey dove in and was shocked to find that the person was Christopher.
His skin was pale as porcelain, and his eyes were tightly shut. Sensing movement, he struggled to open them and saw her swimming toward him.
He did not care if he died, but he could not drag her down with him.
Suddenly, Christopher began to struggle.
Hailey was a strong swimmer and had a lot of strength. She quickly grabbed hold of him and pulled him back to shore.
Christopher had not lost consciousness. Although he had swallowed a lot of water, he was still somewhat aware of his surroundings.
Hailey was completely soaked. The wind hit her, and she shivered from the cold.
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Lily rushed over and draped a coat over her shoulders.
Hailey wiped the water from her face, wrapped the coat tightly around her, then turned to Christopher and exclaimed, “Just a few days ago, I told you that your legs could be cured, and now you are trying, to end your life? What happened?”
Christopher’s face was pale. He shook his head and replied, “It’s nothing”
Hailey scoffed coldly. “Do not tell me it was just because the weather was too hot, and you wanted to take a swim? Christopher pressed his lips together and stated, “I was just weak. Hailey, do not bother treating me anymore. My legs will
never recover
“What are you saying?” Hailey frowned. “Do you not believe in me?”
Christopher lifted his head, his eyes filled with despair, and explained, “Even if my legs heal, what does it matter? I have lost the will to live. My brother was the one who caused all of this. I trusted him more than anyone, but he thought I would fight him for our family inheritance. So, he staged an accident that left me like this. And my parents–they knew all along, yet they hid the truth from me and protected him. What am I to them? Am I even really their son?”
Hailey opened her mouth but did not know what to say.
After a long pause, she took off her coat and draped it over his shoulders.
There was not much she could do. In a situation like this, she had no advice to offer. The only thing she could do was give him a bit of warmth.
