Maxine was left speechless for a moment.
She suddenly realized that Jessica might actually know everything. She knew her mom didn’t die by drowning, as it seemed, but there was something else going on.
But how could she tell such a young kid about the harsh and brutal truth?
Thinking of Ivanna’s death, Maxine hugged Jessica tighter.
“Jessica, you’re still so young. There are many things I don’t want you to know right now. But trust me, when you grow up, I’ll tell you everything. As for now…” Maxine’s lips trembled as she swallowed the rest of her words.
‘As for now, you just need to grow up healthy and happy. Don’t worry about anything else,‘ she said inwardly.
Jessica nodded, half–understanding.
However, she opened her mouth again as if she had more to say.
Maxine asked softly, “What is it?”
“Maxine, will you be my new mom in the future?”
Maxine’s heart melted. She kissed Jessica’s head and asked gently, “Do you want to call me Mom?”
Jessica looked a bit bashful.
Maxine’s smile was gentle and warm as she replied, “Jessica, legally speaking, I will indeed be your ‘new mom‘ in the future. But don’t forget your birth
mom.
“You can call me Maxine if you like, or Mom, if that’s what you prefer–it’s up to you. I won’t replace your mom; it just means that you have one more person who loves and takes care of you from now on.”
At her words, Jessica’s small face showed a look of relief, which made Maxine feel immensely moved.
Jessica was different from Brian, who grew up with plenty of resources and top–notch conditions under his parents‘ care. He never had to read people’s expressions when dealing with others.
But Jessica…
As Maxine put the little girl to sleep, she was lost in thought.
In fact, she was always curious about who Jessica’s birth father was.
According to what she heard from the police station and the orphanage, Jessica was already an orphan with all direct relatives either dead or missing.
Yet Maxine vaguely remembered that Ivanna once mentioned Jessica’s biological dad before.
Ivanna’s reaction was strange back then; she didn’t seem eager to talk about him but didn’t state directly that he wasn’t around anymore.
Soon enough, soft snores came from the little girl in her arms.
Gently placing Jessica down in bed, Maxine left the ward.
Ivanna’s burial was set for tomorrow. Before cremating her body earlier on, Maxine collected items from their house and brought them back here, like various documents and Ivanna’s phone.
Chapter 19
After pacing the hallway for a while, Maxine pulled out Ivánna’s phone and located a number from her contacts.
As soon as the call connected, Maxine’s expression relaxed slightly. “Cleo? Have you been busy lately? Are you free tomorrow to meet up?”
The next morning, Maxine took Jessica to the Mount East Cemetery for Ivanna’s burial.
It was not clear if it was because of what Maxine said last night or because Jessica was still clueless, but she witnessed her mother’s burial in full. Although her eyes were red, she didn’t cry.
When Maxine came to pay respects and place flowers at Ivanna’s grave, Jessica squatted down and wiped off the light dust on her mother’s gravestone with great difficulty.
When they returned from Mount East Cemetery to the hospital, the temporary caregiver Maxine arranged had already arrived.
“Jessica, I have something I need to take care of today and might come back late. Ms. Kira Bishop will stay with you. If you need anything or miss me, just call me,” she said to Jessica.
