Chapter 21 – Her dream

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Her mind went blank. The phone hanging in her hand fell down with a thud. Her face slowly changed, turning into the ugliness that even she couldn’t imagine.

Even now, Cleo still couldn’t believe what she just heard.

In an instant, she ran. Going straight upstairs, she passed the television which now plays the news about her daughter. The terrible news sliced its way toward her ears. Bystanders continued mocking the young terrorist as if she was an incomparable demon. It was suffocating, but she didn’t dare watch it nor stop running.

Was she heartless for thinking about their safety first?

Aurora might not be her blood daughter. But she was still her child. The child she held with her own two arms. She was the child who liked to be embraced. Her heartbeats… her fragrant little head… and the small smile lingering on her face. Nothing could bring those things again.

The hands she used to open the door trembled. Only now she could feel her strength sapping away from her body. Shivering amidst the winter-like situation, tears couldn’t help but fall as she choked.

But she gritted her teeth at the last second. She didn’t even know where she has gotten her last-ditch of strength but she managed to stand.

Police would surely apprehend them for investigation. She didn’t have an ounce of doubt. Regardless of Aurora’s family's non-participation, they still have to prove their innocence and pay an amount of price. And thus, necessary documents were needed. Her husband already told her what to do about situations like these.

“But not like these.” She sobbed as she rummaged and piled everything in front of her.

Cleo had already come to terms that one day her husband would find himself in unescapable trouble. Because no matter how good his capabilities were, he wasn’t perfect.

And yet, she didn’t expect her precious daughter to do it instead. As far as she knew, Aurora was a role model. Bright, gentle, and well-mannered. No one could find fault in her.

Maybe only her dream…

Cleo suddenly about thought Aurora’s dream. The girl went up to her. Clinging like a cute monkey, the girl chuckled with her striking limpid eyes. It was so pure despite having a tough life before they adopted her. Her gaze softened as she caressed the girl’s hair and waited for what she was about to say.

“Mom, do you want to know what I want to be in the future?”

“What?” Cleo asked with a smile.

 “I want to be a hero!” A strong emotion erupted in her eyes. It was so intense that Cleo was taken aback. The latter soon knew she wasn’t kidding when she said it.

Fondling her daughter’s cheeks. “No, you won’t. I want you to become a princess instead.”

“Why? It’s my dream.”

“Yes, of course. But a princess and a hero are different. A hero is someone who sacrifices herself for the sake of others. As for you, you have already suffered a lot. And so, I want you to experience all the good things in life. Just like a princess.”

The girl stared at her mother’s gentle face. Too good to be true if only based on her cruel experiences, but she could see if someone really loved her or not. And the love that the person in front of her could give… was enough to drown her.

She bit her lips, seemingly struggling. The pain and hardships, she could forget them now. All because she had people who loved her with all their hearts. And thus, she decided.

The girl raised her head and her eyes shone like never before!

“I still want to be a hero. Not for anyone but for you, Mom and Dad.”

Cleo was so touched back then that she ended up crying and hugging her poor daughter. Even now, she could still feel her resolution to pursue her dream.

Waking up from her thoughts, she gripped the papers in front of her until ugly creases appeared. She was immaculate in maintaining her things. But now, none of that matters to her bleeding heart.

“My daughter! How can you leave Mama?”

“She shouldn’t have died like that!” Cleo roared. “She is supposed to become a hero!”

“I’m blind to the wrongdoings of the world. Ignorant, naïve, selfish… but I had seen the pain of my daughter! How she curled like a shrimp every night while dreaming those nightmares?! How she studied very hard not because of rewards she could get but because she wanted me to be happy?!”

“Thus, I know that what she had seen is nothing but the truth!”

“The world is wrong! And she only did what she can do to change it! Terrorist?! You liars!!!” Cleo fell on the floor, sobbing.

Ring.

Her phone became active. She struggled to wipe her tears and steadied her breathing. Only when she managed to catch a break, she answered the phone. Soon, a professional voice sounded.

“Hello, Mrs. El Normando.”

“Yes, who is this?”

“We are the ones who ordered the wedding cake. I’m sorry but we would like to cancel our order.”

An irritating premonition came to Cleo’s mind. “But I already made it!”

“Tut. Tut.” The line was cut without prior notice. Cleo inhaled from the deep recesses of her lungs. She made the cake with barely sleep and food, and yet, they canceled it without even giving a proper explanation!

Still, Cleo already had a hunch about why this happened. After all, it wasn’t the end yet. Text messages, calls, and even emails, all her orders got canceled! She already made some of them. The amount of preparation and effort she wasted just to make those cakes, only to be cast aside!

Anger was a rare emotion for Cleo. But now, she couldn’t keep her composure and threw her phone with a bang!

“So be it!”

With unimaginable seriousness, Cleo cleaned everything before pushing herself to the table.

“The only thing I can do is to settle this. I just have to make sure the authorities can’t find any fault from us.” She worked on everything with incredible efficiency. All of these would be sent to various locations. These could blind or confuse people, prove their innocence, make leeway for the worst outcome, etc.

Finished, Cleo couldn’t help but fell into a reverie. “Husband, I don’t know what you did to our daughter. I don’t want to accuse you… but you lied.”

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