"Noooo!" Molly squeaked hoarsely, waking up with a start and suddenly sitting up in bed. With her hand clutching her chest, she gasped for breath, looking around with blank eyes.
Finding herself in her own bedroom, she let out a relieved sigh and gradually calmed down. As it was still too early, she flung herself to the bed again. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get back to sleep, so she lay wide-eyed staring at the ceiling.
She had been having this recurring dream for the past four years. In the dream, there was a handsome man who kept saying "Don't try to run away from me". It went on every night, his threats and his handsome face always haunted her.
The prolonged staring at the ceiling hurt her eyes. After her eye operation four years ago, she hadn't taken good care of her eyes. Her frequent crying abused her eyes and it seemed not to have recovered completely.
Thinking about her eyes, her heart wrenched. Sadness filled her soul. She had lost a part of herself that she could never bring back. She closed her eyes tightly as if to ward off the stinging memory.
Four years ago, she left Brian and A City behind her for good. No matter how much time had passed, the memories of those days when she just arrived in London with nothing but a desolate heart, still managed to hurt her. She couldn't imagine what her and Mark's life would be like without Spark.
Thinking of Mark, her heart swelled with maternal love. When she was pregnant with Mark, Dr. He had warned her that the drugs during that operation might have a bad effect on her unborn child and advised her to terminate her pregnancy. But she insisted on keeping the baby. It was the only part of Brian that she could take with her and she couldn't bear to part with it. She struggled with depression after she left Brian and went to the UK. She had completely withdrawn inside herself and was reluctant to mingle with other people. She was in a melancholic for some time. Luckily, these unhealthy factors didn't affect the growth of her unborn child. After he was born, the doctor examined him thoroughly and pronounced that the baby was very healthy and there was nothing to worry about except that he was unable to speak.
Even with the doctor's assurance, however, Molly still had some misgivings. The more she thought about it, the more she got anxious. She consoled herself, 'Don't worry, he will grow up healthily and happily. He is such a sweet little boy, very clever and sensible. God will protect him.'
The stars faded and a new day had dawned. As she had been lying awake for a long time, she rose from the bed as soon as the light crept in her window. She went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. After that, she went downstairs to prepare breakfast. After a while, the rich aroma coming from the kitchen penetrated the whole house, waking up all its sleeping inhabitants.
"Gee, Molly! What have you prepared for breakfast? It smells so delicious!" Manny asked excitedly while coming down from the stairs. He had gained a lot of weight over the years, thanks to Molly's culinary skills.
Spark followed behind him holding the still sleepy Mark in his arms. He said drowsily, "Mol, why did you get up so early today?"
"Aren't we flying to Vienna today?" Molly asked with raised eyebrows, walking towards Spark. She placed a gentle kiss on her son's warm cheeks as she took him from Spark's arms. Mark wrapped his small arms on her mother's neck and kissed her back. Then she told Spark, "I still have a lot of packing to do. By the way, I have arranged a charity concert for handicapped children for you. Some materials still need to be prepared."
She put Mark in his chair. She had already set the table for breakfast and asked everybody to sit and enjoy the food. Turning to her son, she put a generous helping of food in his plate and asked him, "Mark, is everything packed and ready?"
Mark nodded excitedly. His bright eyes twinkled with delight. He was such a handsome little boy. Molly's heart lurched as she looked lovingly at her son.
"So cute!" Manny couldn't help himself and pinched his plump cheeks playfully. Then he turned to Spark and said, "Spark, your son is so perfectly handsome. If only he was my son, I would be on cloud nine."
"Of course. He's my baby boy." Spark said with pride, ruffling Mark's hair gently.
Molly smiled at their morning banter. She had gotten used to this kind of life. She just sat there smiling contentedly as she listened to them talking. At first, she didn't agree with Spark's suggestion to take Mark as his son. However, his skillful arguments persuaded her in the end.
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