Chapter 9

Despite the director and Jasper standing beside her, Esther hurriedly approached the crying girl and crouched down. Her voice trembled with nervousness as she asked, "Why... Why are you crying?" The girl's teary eyes caught Esther's attention immediately. Her heart ached, and she wanted to comfort her and make her smile. The girl remained guarded and ignored Esther, instead scurrying to Camila like a nimble bunny, hugging her hand as she softly called her, "Mama Madam." Camila wrapped an arm around the girl's shoulder and gently inquired, "Tinkerbell, why are you crying?" "I miss my sister..." Tinkerbell replied, her tears threatening to return as she thought of her sister, Pixie. Camila patted her tenderly and assured her, "Don't cry. Your sister is having a good time now." "Mama Madam, can I go see her in the future?" Tinkerbell asked. Camila comforted her, "Sure. Maybe you'll be living with her soon?" "Really?" Tinkerbell's face lit up. Camila nodded and wiped her tears away with a smile. "Of course. When have I ever lied to you?" "You never lie to us," Tinkerbell said, then timidly hid behind Camila when she glanced at Esther and Jasper standing nearby. Observing her reaction, Camila suggested, "Tinkerbell, why don't you read some books for now? I need to talk to them." Tinkerbell waved understandingly at Camila and said cutely, "Bye-bye, Mama Madam." She picked a book and obediently went to read in a corner. Afterward, Camila took Esther, who was overwhelmed with emotions, to the side and revealed, "Tinkerbell and Pixie are twins. Pixie was adopted just a few hours ago." "Only Pixie?" Esther asked in shock. "Yes," Camila explained. "They only adopted Pixie because Tinkerbell is ill. You both know how expensive it is to raise a child nowadays, and Tinkerbell's medical condition adds to the burden." Trying to remain composed, Esther inquired nervously, "What does she have?" "Acute leukemia," Camila explained patiently. "They wanted to adopt both of them but chose only Pixie when they discovered Tinkerbell's condition. Acute leukemia requires a bone marrow transplant. We've registered with the National Bone Marrow Bank and will proceed with the transplant surgery once a matching donor is found for Tinkerbell." Esther was unprepared for such distressing news as she had come to find Tinkerbell. "I'm her birth mother. My bone marrow might be a match." Jasper, standing nearby, volunteered, "I can get tested, too." "It would be best if you both get tested to see if you match," Camila said, looking at Esther intently. "Ms. Quill, you can spend half an hour with Tinkerbell, but I recommend waiting for the maternity test result before telling her you're her birth mother. Children here are sensitive, and I don't want her to be disappointed." Esther's eyes welled up with tears. "Okay." Jasper looked at Esther gently and said, "Esther, go spend some time with Tinkerbell. I'll ask Madam Jenner about the family who adopted Pixie." "Thank you, Jasper." Once Camila and Jasper left, Esther went to Tinkerbell. Perhaps because Camila accompanied her, Tinkerbell no longer hid from Esther. She blinked and asked, "Ma'am, are you here to pick a child, too?" Esther's throat tightened hearing the innocent question. "Ma'am, choose another child, not me." Tinkerbell, around four years old, was adorable and articulate. "Because I'm sick." Tinkerbell's voice was soft and cute. "I heard Mama Madam say my illness requires a lot, a lot, and a lot of money..." Tinkerbell's wise words broke through Esther's defenses, and tears streamed down her face. Tinkerbell took out her handkerchief and gently wiped away Esther's tears. "Does it hurt?" Tinkerbell shook her head bravely. "Nope. I'm super brave." Esther couldn't help but pull Tinkerbell into her arms. "Tinkerbell, you're so brave!" How could she not have known that her daughter had suffered so much? How could Bradley be so heartless to have bought off the doctor and fabricated such a lie? He had robbed her daughters of their mother right after their birth! He had taken away their carefree childhood at such a tender age! Did he even know they were his daughters?! Hearing Esther's choked sobs, Tinkerbell patted her back. "Ma'am, are you feeling sick?" Esther released the girl and held her face, crying. "My heart hurts." It felt like a thousand arrows were piercing her heart. Bradley could come at her with any grudge and resentment, but why... Why couldn't he let go of two innocent children? "Ma'am, let's read together." Tinkerbell handed her a storybook. "This is my favorite book." Esther sat on a small chair and read Tinkerbell's favorite book with her. Rather than Esther reading with Tinkerbell, it felt like Tinkerbell was keeping Esther company while she read. Tinkerbell spoke about the book earnestly, and her bright eyes seemed to hold the entire universe. Esther found solace in the fact that Tinkerbell had grown up well and behaved despite her absence. However, it pained her to see the little girl suffer from illness at such a young age. Time passed quickly, and half an hour flew by. Tinkerbell put the book back on the shelf and approached Esther, softly reminding her, "Ma'am, remember, don't pick me."