Chapter 77
Catherine lowered her gaze at her unborn child, the Ghost Baby, before her. There was a long silence before she clenched her teeth, her voice trembling with the weight of her decision.
“I choose… the second option.” After she spoke, it was as if the strength drained from her body. She swayed slightly, her eyes brimming with uncontrollable tears as she looked at the confused Ghost Baby.
“I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t want you…”
But she was only eighteen, and she had her whole life ahead of her.
She would never be able to forget the pain that Hans had inflicted upon her if she kept this Ghost Baby. She yearned for a fresh start, a life without Hans.
“Baby, I’m sorry. Mommy can’t keep you. I’m so sorry…” Her apology became a sob, her voice breaking.
In the silence that followed, the Ghost Baby, floating mid–air, looked at its mother with bewilderment and helplessness.
Finally, Catherine choked out her last words, “I can’t keep you. You need to go.
At those words, the Ghost Baby shuddered, and Winnie’s gaze shifted from the Ghost Baby to the invisible thread that connected them, a thread only she could see.
And with Catherine’s final words, the thread snapped sharply in the middle and vanished.
Winnie extended her hand, and a light emerged and enveloped the Ghost Baby.
This time, the Ghost Baby offered no resistance.
“I’ll take it away now,” Winnie said softly, leaving Catherine without further consolation as she turned and left.
To her surprise, Winnie found Clifford and Horace still waiting in the car downstairs.
“You’re still here?” she asked, genuinely stunned.
They both had their own busy lives. And just making time for a trip to the police station had been a stretch. Winnie hadn’t expected them to stick around.
Clifford’s lips pressed tight, betraying his struggle for words. Thankfully, Horace was never short of conversation.
“We’re out already, so there’s no rush to head back,” he said, still seated in the front, making room for Winnie. Once she settled in, he asked, “Is everything taken care of?”
Winnie nodded.
Horace had witnessed her abilities firsthand and knew about her work while Clifford was in the dark until today when he accidentally discovered her involvement in the cyberbullying case.
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Seeing Winnie and Springer getting along better brought him comfort. He always said his daughter deserved to be loved by all.
While Clifford maintained a calm exterior, Horace asked, “Anything else on the agenda?”
Winnie thought it over. Aside from the Ghost Baby situation, she was free. There was no rush to send the spirit off, so she shook her head.
“In that case,” Horace suggested warmly, “Dad mentioned we haven’t gone out since you returned to the Bryant family. How about we spend some time together today and do something fun?”
Clifford glanced at his son, wondering how he could claim to be free when his department’s project was on a tight schedule, and he had canceled three meetings for today to be there for Winnie.
It all came down to Horace pointing out that they had barely spent any quality time with Winnie since her return home.
Reflecting on this, Clifford had to agree. He swiftly had his assistant cancel his business dinner plans for the evening. He cleared his throat and looked at Winnie with a rare softness.
“Yeah, I’m free today. Is there anything in particular you’d like to do?”
Winnie wasn’t sure what prompted their sudden enthusiasm. She had never spent time out with her father and brother before. She was clueless about what fun things she could do with them.
After seeing the confusion in her eyes, Horace’s heart softened, and he instructed the driver to head toward the mall.
“Winnie didn’t seem thrilled with the dresses Leonie picked for her. Let’s start at the mall and pick some clothes you like.”
Clifford agreed, “Good idea. Let’s spoil our girl a bit.”
They headed straight to Emerald Bay’s largest shopping center, and Horace led them directly to the women’s fashion section. Inexperienced in shopping for his daughter, Clifford stood by the entrance like a stoic guardian. Horace, however, was much more enthusiastic, picking out outfits and coordinating them with the help of the sales staff.
Winnie rarely went shopping and reluctantly tried on over twenty outfits. With her good looks and tall figure, Winnie looked great in everything, and Horace found each appealing.
Clifford started by just footing the bill, but he couldn’t resist joining in, and soon, he was also selecting clothes without a glance at the price tags, instructing the sales staff to wrap up anything he liked.
The sales staff behind them could barely contain their joy.
As Winnie decided she’d tried on enough, her gaze drifted outside the store, catching sight of several girls laughing and holding cups of milk shake.
Chapter 77
She’d never had the leisure for shopping sprees or drink dates with girlfriends, always busy with her mentor learning the mystical arts.
Her eyes followed them for a while before she looked away.
Ever observant, Horace quickly ordered some milk shake on his phone.
Soon, three cups were delivered.
Winnie was no stranger to a good drink, but the sight of a milk shake still made her eyes crinkle with delight. She cradled the cup in her hands and sipped daintily.
On the other hand, Clifford had never tried it before. He held the cup with disdain, but seeing Winnie’s eyes light up with joy, something in him softened. He couldn’t help but join her in savoring the trendy beverage.
After leaving their address, they moved on to the next shop.
Strikingly attractive and exuding an air of distinction, the trio strolled down the street, each holding a cup of milk shake.
Without any effort, they drew numerous curious glances, and some people even snapped sneaky photos.
Sensitive to the gazes of passersby, Winnie quickly identified the problem. She glanced at Clifford and Horace, dressed in tailor–made suits that screamed anything but casual.
“You guys are not dressed for a laid–back day out,” she commented, her pretty face furrowing with concern.
So, Clifford and Horace were ushered into a men’s clothing store and emerged transformed. Gone were the bespoke suits, replaced by casual wear.
Naturally striking. Horace didn’t need much to stand out. Even in casual attire, he exuded an effortless charm.
Clifford, though the eldest of the group, was well–preserved. Slipping into something more relaxed softened his intense presence, and at first glance, he was the quintessential handsome, charming gentleman.
Chapter 78
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