Whether it's a boy or a girl, she will treat them equally and love them all the same, ensuring they won't end up like her, abandoned by their own parents, living such a pitiful life.
She will give them all the love she never received, loving them more than anyone else ever could.
Hilary Candi took a deep breath, squatted down under the shade of the trees, lowered her head, and hugged herself, burying her face in her knees.
Her heartbeat was so fast, it felt as if it were about to leap out of her chest. She sensed her eyes were slightly wet, overwhelmed by an inexplicable urge to cry her heart out.
Yet she would never have children of her own.
*
Hospital room.
She stood at the table, head down, peeling a pear.
The voices of Steven Balance and Aldana Candi trickled into her ears.
"Feeling better?"
"Okay."
"Once you're discharged, come stay with me for a few days. Aaron has already agreed."
"…"
