Chapter 7 Mistaken Identity

"Uh—" The woman's smile nearly faltered, and she stuttered, "Well… my condolences!"

Christopher Hart did not respond; his eyes remained fixed on her face, and his mouth corners lifted slightly in a lukewarm, playful manner.

Amelia Garcia's scalp tingled with panic; she feared being discovered and dreaded him finding out about her twin sons—she needed to leave immediately!

The air seemed to solidify; she nodded politely with a smile and turned to leave.

But unexpectedly, just as she turned, a little girl came dashing over.

"Daddy—"

Amelia watched the joyful little girl coming towards her, her already chaotic heartbeat drowning out all surrounding noises.

She greedily watched the small figure running towards her, brushing past her, and her gaze couldn't help but follow.

She even almost crouched down to reach out and hug her as the little girl sped past!

"Careful, sweetheart!" Christopher bent down and scooped up his daughter, "Did you pick a gift yet?"

"Not yet, but I met two brothers; they are so handsome. By the way, Daddy, next time I go out, I want to bring mommy's picture with me. Those brothers didn't believe that my mommy is beautiful; I want to show them!"

Amelia didn't know how she managed to take a step.

Step by step, as if walking on clouds.

Her mind buzzed noisily, consuming all her thoughts, but her ears clearly heard the little girl's crisp, vibrant tone.

Her daughter…

Her longed-for daughter had just dashed past her, and yet she could only watch helplessly, unable to recognize her, or even speak openly!

Tears burst forth, and she quickened her pace, hastily leaving.

But unexpectedly, the familiar voice of a man called from behind—

"Wait!"

Her stride abruptly stiffened; her mind swirled with dizziness from nerves, but soon, she forced herself to regulate her emotions and facial expressions, turning back around.

"Are you calling me, sir?" She put on her smile again, carefully avoiding looking at the little girl.

For she knew a single glance would break her!

Christopher looked at his daughter in his arms, his lips curling into a smile.

Before he could speak, the little girl looked up and saw Amelia's face. Suddenly, her mouth opened wide, and she pointed, "Daddy! Is that… mommy? You said if we played a game, mommy would appear, and now she has appeared; you're so amazing, Daddy!"

"Mommy… Mommy, you're finally back!" Hope Hart wriggled from her father's arms. Her chubby legs hit the ground and she immediately ran towards Amelia, wrapping her arms tightly around her legs.

"Mommy... is it you? Why haven't you come to see Hope for so long... Hope missed you so much! Everyone else has a mommy, just not me, and they even tease me… But I knew, Mommy would come back!"

Amelia stood petrified, her hands unconsciously gripping the girl's arms, her eyes fixated stupidly on that sweet, lovely little face.

This was her daughter, whom she finally touched; fleshy, soft, with rosy cheeks and picturesque features—she looked even more beautiful and adorable than in the pictures!

Oh, how she desired to squat down, pull her tightly into her embrace, and deeply breathe in her scent!

But she… couldn't.

"Little one, you've mistaken me for someone else." Amelia bit her tongue, fighting to bring her mind back to rationality, and then softly responded with a smile.

"Huh?" Hope, who had been jumping around, suddenly stopped, puzzled, "…Mistaken?"

She looked back, innocently gazing at her father.

Christopher stepped forward leisurely, stopping a step away from Amelia, and then patted his daughter's head gently, "Sweetheart, she's not your mother, she just looks like her."

Hope Hart didn't speak, her big eyes lifted to gaze at Amelia Garcia again.

Those animated eyes instantly lost their color, filled with loss, doubt, and longing...

After a while, she stubbornly said, "That's Mommy...just like in the picture."

Before she could finish speaking, she grabbed the hem of Amelia's clothes, suddenly with tearful eyes, "Mommy... Is it because Hope hasn't been good that you don't want me? Hope will be good from now on... I won't sneak away anymore, I won't be picky about food anymore... Mommy, please don't leave Hope, okay? Wuu wuu wuu..."

Amelia's heart, already fiercely torn, shattered into pieces at her daughter's tearful plea!

She had really sinned!

How could she have been willing to leave her daughter behind all those years ago, how could she have!

"Baby..." For a moment, she almost wanted to admit it—yes, she hadn't died, she had lied. But just as the thought arose, her cell phone suddenly rang.

It was her son's special ringtone.

As if waking from a dream, she suddenly remembered her two sons waiting for her in the store!

If Christopher Hart discovered her son...

Heaven!

Her mind panicked instantly, and she quickly regained her composure, apologetically wiping the girl's tears, softly comforting, "Little sister, Auntie has to go now, sorry oh..."

She left the child and turned to leave, but Hope Hart wouldn't have it and immediately chased after her!

"Mommy... Mommy! Don't leave Hope... wuu wuu wuu wuu... Mommy!"

Christopher Hart had originally wanted to use his daughter to test her, to make her break down and admit—but he never expected this woman's cold-hearted ruthlessness to refresh his understanding!

At that moment, he regretted it deeply!

His precious little girl, who was never to suffer even the slightest grievance, was now crying like this for that irresponsible mother!

Christopher Hart's hatred for the woman reached its peak, and his mind instantly conjured thousands of ways to torment her!

And Amelia Garcia, the moment she turned around, tears uncontrollably burst forth like a dam breaking, her heart's pain exploding instantly.

But with Christopher Hart right behind her, even though she was in agony, she still had to keep her backbone straight.

Until, after turning the corridor, she could no longer hold herself up and ran to the safe stairs, covering her mouth with one hand and crying unrestrained!

My baby, Mommy never wanted to abandon you, never wanted to, but she really had no choice back then...

Mommy isn't a good mom...

The guilt and longing for her daughter overwhelmed all her thoughts, leaving her unable to regain her composure for a long time.

Fortunately, the phone rang again, pulling her back from her agony.

Worried that her sons couldn't find her and would wander off and get lost, Amelia quickly pulled herself together, lifted her head, wiped her face, and took several deep breaths.

"Hello, baby."

"Mommy, why aren't you back yet?"

"Yes… Mommy is coming back now, be good, okay?" After saying this, she stood up ready to open the security door and return to the mall, but her fingers had just touched the doorknob when she suddenly thought of something and froze.

No, Christopher Hart was still in the mall.

And from the scene just now, he probably didn't believe her, he must be suspicious.

If at this moment she appeared with her sons, and he caught her red-handed...