Chapter 0200
+25 BONUS
After days of searching, Mary finally found a small room where she could rest. She had looked for furnished places, but they were beyond her budget. Eventually, she came across a new rental option–a shared house with roommates. It had common areas and a private room for her, which was perfect. She wouldn’t feel so alone. However, finding work wasn’t going well. Her obvious pregnancy discouraged employers from hiring her, even for cleaning jobs. In her condition, she was seen as a liability.
After a few days, she realized it might have been for the best. At five months pregnant, she experienced bleeding and was told her pregnancy was at risk. She had to stay home to rest. Her housemates supported her, helping with groceries and meals. She felt truly blessed, as though someone above was watching over and protecting her. She had learned to trust her instincts–those gut feelings she’d ignored for so long. They were now guiding her toward a calmer life, where she paid attention to the small details.
Time flew by, and she decided not to look for work while pregnant–it was too risky for her baby. She created a budget and realized she had enough to get by until her baby was about three months old. After that, she planned to find someone to care for her daughter while she worked. For now, her focus was on having a peaceful pregnancy, the kind she’d always deserved.
Her cravings hadn’t subsided; in fact, they’d grown as her belly became more prominent. Her appetite was voracious. She loved strolling through Century Park, sitting on the benches by the lake, and talking to her unborn daughter. She’d tell her about how, when she was older, they would come back to paddle the little boats on the lake. Mary had always wanted to try them but had never been allowed. With her ” mini–me,” things would be different. She’d show her daughter the world. It was just the two of them, and there was no reason to hold back. Mary vowed to work hard to provide for her, and love would never be in short supply.
Life wasn’t too hard as long as she was careful. Occasionally, fear crept in–fear that something might happen during childbirth, leaving her unable to care for her baby. Her maternal checkups showed everything was fine, but “You never know,” she thought. For that reason, she always carried a letter in her bag, addressed to Catherine Palmer:
[Dear Mrs. Catherine,
I’m deeply sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. Circumstances forced me to act that way. My life and my baby’s life were at risk. I’ve lived a happy life with my baby, but I’m writing this just in case something happens to me. I don’t have anyone else, and I trust you.
My daughter will be waiting for you at the hospital. I know I’m not in a position to ask this, but please, take care of her. I know you would love her as a mother would.
When my daughter grows up and can understand why I’m not with her, please tell her that I loved her as much as her father did. Tell her to live her life freely and without fear. Tell her that one day, her father and I will welcome her with open arms, always watching over her from wherever we are,
If you’re reading this, it means I couldn’t be with her. But I trust that you will be a loving mother and grandmother to her. Her name is Serenity–that’s the name Peter wanted for her, and I want to honor his choice. Take care of her and love her even more than I ever could.
With love,
Chapter0200
Mary.]
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