“I assumed she was there for Judie. Whenever Judie was reprimanded for trying to get others to beat


    me up, her mother would arrive to take her away.”


    The memory stirred in Loraine a fleeting pang of envy for children with parents to shield them from their


    mistakes.


    Marco reached out to gently touch her hair, affectionately ruffling it, and for a moment, Loraine’s mind


    drifted.


    She no Longer needed to envy others. Now she had family who would stand by her, and a loved one.


    Suddenly, Marco’s hand paused, and his eyes lit up with realization.


    “Could it be that your being ced in the orphanage has something to do with her?” he asked.


    Loraine hesitated, then admitted, “It’s not impossible.”


    ording to her family, her parents’ car ident had urred not far from the vige, near a cliff.


    A previously elusive connection in Loraine’s mind began to solidify.


    Her family had often remarked that as she grew older, she Looked more and more like her mother.


    Could it be that Zaria had seen her mother before, possibly even known about the ident, and


    mistaken Loraine for her?


    If so, Zaria’s bewildered expression earlier would make perfect sense.


    Marco observed Loraine’s furrowed brows and downcast eyes, noticing that she was Lost in thought


    and failing to respond for some time. A pang of regret washed over him for having broached a subject


    that clearly pained her.


    When she had entered the orphanage, it was right around the time of her parents’ ident. By


    suddenly bringing up this incident, he had inadvertently caused Loraine to recall her deceased parents


    and a childhood filled with challenges.


    Despite the care she had received from Eloise, Loraine’s time in the orphanage had been anything but


    easy. She had been bullied by Judie and covertly observed by someone with hidden intentions.


    Marco exhaled softly, his heart aching for her. He pulled Loraine into a gentle embrace, patting her


    back soothingly as thoughforting a child. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brought up those


    memories.


    ninjanovel


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    They’re in the past. Don’t dwell on them. As for the Cooper family, you handle them as you see fit. If


    you want me to stay out of it, I’ll follow your lead.”


    Loraine’s train of thought was interrupted by the warmth of Marco’s arms around her. His words, filled


    with Loyalty and tenderness, brought a simultaneous smile to her lips and a touch of emotion to her


    heart.


    It was a sensation both amusing and deeply moving.


    She leaned into him, her arms encircling his waist, and allowed herself to revel in the sincere affection


    enveloping her. It filled her heart and soul with a sweetness she had never known.


    The hardships she had endured were now simply part of her life’s tapestry, neither glorified nor


    lamented. Yet, the empathy and care


    Marco extended to the younger Loraine stirred something profound within her.


    Marco seemed surprised for a moment, his eyes softening as he lovingly stroked her hair. The


    sensation reminded him of a Siamese cat that


    Jimmie had once owned, and he found himself indulging in theforting touch.