I felt on edge as I wasn’t sure if Ashton knew about me finding Armond. Initially, I planned to tell him the truth when he came out of the washroom. However, I was too tired that I soon fell asleep.
The next morning, Ashton was gone when I woke up. Later, I received a message from Zachary, telling me that they had boarded the plane, heading to A City. After freshening up, I went to Amy’s room to find that the little girl had long woken up. She was sitting primly on the bed, waiting for me.
In fact, the more considerate she was, the guiltier I felt. The little girl was still wearing rags and tatters. I helped her wash up and we went to a mall. Since it would take at least four hours to fly from K City to A City, there was ample time for me to buy her some new clothes.
Amy was excited since it was her first time shopping in a mall. At the same time, being diffident, she wouldn’t let go of my hand. In no time, I bought her a few sets of clothes. Wearing the new clothes, she asked meekly, “Ms. Stovall, are we using the money that you are going to give my parents to buy me new clothes? Actually, I don’t need that many clothes. I wish to save the money for my parents.”
My heart ached at her words. She was still thinking about her parents despite them exploiting her for money. “Don’t worry. These clothes are a gift from me. You don’t need to pay for them,” I reassured her.
The little girl was relieved. Holding my hand, she asked, “Then, when am I going to save your daughter?”
I was slightly bewildered at her question. That was when I remembered that Amy, a five-year-old kid, was old enough to understand what was going on. Besides, her parents never avoided her when they talk. She must have known the reason for her coming to A City.
I shook my head and replied, “There’s no hurry. Before that, we can spend some time and have fun in the city.”
Amy nodded firmly, her eyes brightened up.
Gazing at her happy face, I asked, “Amy, are you willing to leave your parents and live with me?”
Amy was slightly confused. Nevertheless, she gave my words some thought. “Ms. Stovall, if I stay with you, will you give my parents a lot of money?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
Amy lowered her head and fell deep into thought. Finally, she made her decision. “Fine. As long as my mom and dad can get a lot of money, I will stay with you,” she said seriously.
To the kids, no matter how terrible their parents were, they would always regard them as their dearest family. After all, blood was thicker than water.
Soon, we left the mall. Just as we were about to get into the car, I heard someone calling me.
I turned around to find it was Hailey. That was when I recalled she was back in A City as well. The young lady trotted toward me and asked, “Are you here shopping?”
I nodded. Noticing the shopping bags in her hand, I knew she was out shopping as well.
Hailey was dazed when she noticed Amy standing beside me. With a doubtful look on her face, she asked with a hint of certainty, “Did you contact Armond? He gave you the information?”
I was surprised by her shrewdness. “How did you…”
Hailey’s face turned pale. She cast her eyes at Amy and then at me. Then, she gasped out, “I did a heart transplant before. My heart belonged to an innocent kid. I suffered from depression after the heart transplant.”
The young lady was clasping her chest. Her forehead was covered with sweat, while her face contorted in pain. I immediately held her arms and supported her. The latter grabbed my hand while she said through gritted teeth, “Don’t make the same mistake as I did. That will only make more people suffer!”
Not losing any time, I called the ambulance. Afraid that she might not stand until the ambulance arrived, I asked a random guy on the street to help carry her into my car. After that, I drove her to the nearest hospital.
As soon as the doctor at ER took over Hailey, I received a call from Zachary. “Scarlett, where are you? Summer’s condition suddenly deteriorated, and we’re sending her to the hospital. I need you to bring that kid to the hospital now. I have contacted the hospital to give her a preoperation check-up.”
Suddenly, Hailey’s words rang out in my mind. Casting my eyes at the helpless Amy, I felt torn by conflicting emotions. I was on the verge of losing my mind.
I was stumped when Zachary kept urging me over the phone. Eventually, I only told him of my location.
After hanging up, Amy and I looked at each other.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell her what she would be facing later. “Ms. Stovall, is that lady sick?” the latter asked.
I nodded. Then, I made her sit on the chair and asked, “Amy, later, the nurse will need to draw your blood. Will you feel scared?”
Amy took a glance at the ER. “Will I feel pain like that lady just now?” she asked hesitantly.
I shook my head. “No.”
Hearing that, the little girl heaved a sigh of relief. “Then, it’s fine. Last time, a man came to draw my blood in my house. It’s not painful at all, so I was not scared.”
