Chapter 22: All Those Years

"Sydney please? Don't put mommy in jail. I need her," Belle pleads with me. I would have liked to drop the case but I didn't. I don't want to let Aunt Fely alone with her sins. It's unfair, especially since I was separated from my parents for several years because of what she did.

"I wanted to Belle, but I'm sorry ... I can't give you what you're asking for. I want my aunt to learn from her mistakes." I was stubborn to Belle. I could see in Belle's eyes that she understood me. But still I feel sorry for Belle. Because he was alone in life. She's only twenty, and I believe Belle is still a good person despite what she did to me as well.

"I'm sorry Sydney ... I'm sorry for all the troubles and pain that I've caused you." She seriously said. I smiled at her. I took her hand and gently squeezed it.

"It's okay. I know you were just taken away because of your mom. You're already forgiven." I said smiling. She quickly stood up and hugged me.

"T-thank you Sydney! You're so good anytime, thank you!" She says crying. I just smiled and hugged her back. When we parted in a hug, I also stood up to say goodbye.

"I'll be ahead of you." I smiled goodbye to her.

"All right, take care and be happy!" She said in tears. I feel it that she's happy for me.

"Thank you for the help, attorney." I smiled and shook hands with attorney Galvez, my attorney.

"It's my pleasure to help you." She smiled.

When I left the precinct, Drew met me immediately. He didn't come with me inside because he was taking care of something.

"Is everything's fine?" He asked. I nodded at him.

"Let's go?"

"Let's go!" As we walked to his car holding hands, a cold breeze suddenly blew. It felt so good, especially at night. Along with the wind is the relief I feel. It was as if I had been released from a long prison. It seems like only now have I experienced this feeling again.

"We're going straight to the airport, my private chopper is waiting in there on us." He said seriously while driving the car. Suddenly my heartbeat quickened. I feel mixed emotions right now. I feel a mixture of excitement and fear. I am excited because after almost fifteen years, I will once again see my parents who I thought were long gone. I am also scared for my daughter.

"I thought we were at the airport?" I asked Drew a confused question because we had been on a trip before but we were on a different path.

"Short cut." His response was cool. I just nodded. Moments later he stopped the car at a detached mansion in La Fresa Village.

"It's a short cut? Why are we in the village?" I'm confused. Drew didn't answer me, but immediately got out of the driver's seat. He went to the passenger's seat side then opened the door for me.

"Shall we?" He took my hand to help me get down. Surprised, I held out my hand to him. When I got out of the car we walked into the big house. I was stopped by the engraved words on the gate it says,

'Welcome to Dr. Agustin's Mansion'

"Good evening Mr. Claveria!" The mansion guard greeted Andrew politely and with a smile.

"Good evening."

"Drew, what are we doing here?" I held Drew's arm tightly as we walked into the mansion.

"Just," I was just stunned by his answer. He is very secretive now. Tsk!

"Andrew!" I was relieved as I held Drew's arm tightly because of the woman who happily greeted Drew.

I was momentarily dumbfounded while not taking my eyes off her. I just felt that my tears were falling. My heartbeat is also too fast.

"S-Sydney...my daughter?" Like me, her tears are already shaking.

"M-mama!" She quickly crossed between us and gave me a very tight hug.

"Awful, you're so big! You're so beautiful my daughter!" Mom said crying as she confusedly examined my face as well as my whole body.

"I'm sorry if mama didn't watch you grow up...I'm sorry," she said repeatedly while still crying. I nodded to mom.

"I-it's not your fault..." I said. Our hug lasted for a few minutes before my mother and I could get inside.

"Momma!" I was shocked to hear my daughter's voice. I miss my daughter's voice that is so lively. I cried even more when I saw her standing. Her strength has returned.

"Baby!" I greeted my daughter with a hug and a kiss. She did the same to me.

"Momma, I missed you!" She said smiling. Although my hands were shaking, I tried to examine my daughter's face and whole body.

"A-are you okay, baby?" I asked her a confused question. She nodded with a smile. I looked up.

"Thank you God! Thank you and you healed my daughter!" I said tearfully while still looking up.

"She's not suffering from any blood disease. Sunny's was all fine. Dr. Ramirez faked her medical test result ...the child's real illness when she was admitted to the hospital was just a side effect of the medicine she was taking against allergies, Dr. Ramirez is greedy for money, that's why I already fired him. I also revoked his doctor's license because of his fraud." Long line of,

"D-dad?" Dad didn't cry but still and I could feel how much he missed me. I could not believe what I heard. How could that animal torture my daughter? How dare him! Damn him!

"It's been a long time my daughter!" Dad suddenly came up to me and hugged me tightly.

"We're so proud of you! For raising your daughter well." Dad said smiling, before hugging me tightly again.

"Group hug!" Sunny suddenly shouted. Dad and Mom quickly approached us.

"Dadda, join us!" Sunny approached her Dadda and pulled him closer to us.

"Group hug!" We shout together. I can't believe this! After all those years, I never imagined that I would experience this again. That of having a complete and whole family. Before, I was contented that Sunny and I were the only two.

"Excuse me!" We were suddenly stunned with joy when we heard Grace's voice. She turned to us at the door and still had a bandage on her shoulder that was hit by a gun yesterday.

"Why did you leave your room right away? Your wound isn't healed yet!" Mom quickly approached Grace to help her.

"I got carried away with your happiness. Ma'am, I'm happy for you!" Grace was in tears. I approached her and hugged her.

"Thank you for everything, Grace. I'm sorry for what happened to you too."

"Ma'am Syd really, that's nothing." She said smiling.

"Group hug!" I said laughing.

If there is one happiest person in the world at these times, I'm sure it is me. I never thought I would ever feel this kind of happiness—again.